2026 USF Alumni Awards
Thursday, Oct. 15
6:00 p.m. — Cocktail Reception
7:00 p.m. — Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Judy Genshaft Honors College – Zimmerman Family Foundation Atrium
12260 USF Genshaft Dr., Tampa, FL 33620
A long-standing USF tradition, these awards recognize and celebrate outstanding alumni and community leaders who have made a significant contribution to the university and the community. The USF Alumni Awards are the university's highest awards for alumni and community members.
Meet the 2026 USF Alumni Awards Honorees
Robert A. Donaldson
Class of ’56 Service Award
Robert Donaldson was vice president of manufacturing for Florida operations at Maxi-Blast Inc. and has supported USF and the Tampa Bay region for nearly 50 years, including as a supporter of USF Athletics and multiple colleges, and as a member of the USF Foundation Board.
Tony Giarratana, Finance ’80
Distinguished Alumni Award
Tony Giarratana is president of Giarratana LLC and a longtime force behind downtown Nashville's residential skyline, delivering landmark towers including the 45-story 505 — Nashville's tallest residential building — and the 60-story Paramount, Tennessee's future tallest, currently under construction.
Bob Glaser, Management and Organization ’77 Distinguished Alumni Award
Bob Glaser is president and CEO of Smith & Associates Real Estate, Tampa Bay's largest and most successful independent real estate brokerage. Smith is the market leader in luxury real estate, ranking as the No. 1 brokerage above the $1 million price point in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. (Photo credit: Evan Smith Creative)
Wendi Goodson-Celerin, Nursing ’88, MS ’98 and DNP ’18 Distinguished Alumni Award
Wendi Goodson-Celerin is the executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Florida Health Sciences Center, where she is responsible for strategic, clinical, operational and financial leadership of nursing services across the academic health system, including Tampa General Hospital, in partnership with USF.
Bill Mariotti, Business Administration ’15
Donald A. Gifford Alumni Service Award
Bill Mariotti is the retired president and CEO of four Mariotti companies. A USF Foundation Board member and former Alumni Association Board member, he has established a large portfolio of named scholarships at USF and continues to advance initiatives across the university through his service and philanthropy.
Averill Summer, Music Education and Piano Performance ’65 — Distinguished Alumni Award
Averill Summer is an associate professor emeritus in the USF School of Music, accomplished piano soloist, and founder and retired artistic director of the Tampa Bay Children's Chorus, which has performed in Carnegie Hall, Washington, D.C., Vienna and Scotland.
Robert A. Donaldson - Class of ’56 Service Award
Robert Donaldson was vice president of manufacturing for Florida operations at Maxi-Blast Inc. and has supported USF and the Tampa Bay region for nearly 50 years, including as a supporter of USF Athletics and multiple colleges, and as a member of the USF Foundation Board.
Tony Giarratana, Finance ’80 — Distinguished Alumni Award
Tony Giarratana is president of Giarratana LLC and a longtime force behind downtown Nashville's residential skyline, delivering landmark towers including the 45-story 505 — Nashville's tallest residential building — and the 60-story Paramount, Tennessee's future tallest, currently under construction.
Bob Glaser, Management and Organization ’77 — Distinguished Alumni Award
Bob Glaser is president and CEO of Smith & Associates Real Estate, Tampa Bay's largest and most successful independent real estate brokerage. Smith is the market leader in luxury real estate, ranking as the No. 1 brokerage above the $1 million price point in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
Wendi Goodson-Celerin, Nursing ’88, MS ’98 and DNP ’18 — Distinguished Alumni Award
Wendi Goodson-Celerin is the executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Florida Health Sciences Center, where she is responsible for strategic, clinical, operational and financial leadership of nursing services across the academic health system, including Tampa General Hospital, in partnership with USF.
Bill Mariotti, Business Administration ’15 — Donald A. Gifford Alumni Service Award
Bill Mariotti is the retired president and CEO of four Mariotti companies. A USF Foundation Board member and former Alumni Association Board member, he has established a large portfolio of named scholarships at USF and continues to advance initiatives across the university through his service and philanthropy.
Averill Summer, Music Education and Piano Performance ’65 — Distinguished Alumni Award
Averill Summer is an associate professor emeritus in the USF School of Music, accomplished piano soloist, and founder and retired artistic director of the Tampa Bay Children's Chorus, which has performed in Carnegie Hall, Washington, D.C., Vienna and Scotland.
Award Descriptions and Criteria:
Distinguished Alumni Award
This award recognizes USF alumni who have reached the pinnacle of success in their careers or professions.
Donald A. Gifford Service Award
This award, presented since 1991 and renamed in 2000, honors USF graduates who have rendered distinguished service to USF and the community.
Class of '56 Award
This award recognizes a non-USF graduate who has provided outstanding service to USF and the Tampa Bay community.
Award Timeline:
Nominations Opened: Jan. 5
Nominations Closed: Feb. 20
Recipients Notified: Late spring/ Early summer
Ceremony: Homecoming Week 2026
Watch our 2025 video recap below.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor:
