EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The University of Texas at El Paso has selected two Distinguished Alumni and eight Gold Nugget Award recipients.
They will be recognized during the University’s Homecoming celebration this Sept. 21 through Sept. 27.
The Distinguished Alumni and Gold Nugget recipients are a testament to how far a UTEP education can take you,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “We look forward to celebrating our successful alumni and the impact they have had during their lives.
The annual awards are among UTEP’s highest honors. Recipients demonstrate excellence, service and professionalism.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given to UTEP alumni. It is a tradition that began in 1950.
This year, UTEP recognizes geologist James Cearley and businessman Paul Dipp.
James B. Cearley III
B.S. in Geological Engineering, 1978
College of Science
James B. Cearley III had a successful career pursuing economically viable oil and gas projects until his retirement from Chevron in 2013 after 35 years in the industry. Through the years, Cearley has held leadership roles throughout the U.S., most notably as General Manager of Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Exploration. During his career, Cearley managed teams of geoscientists and engineers, leading successful exploration programs including assignments as Manager of Chevron’s Geologic research and Deepwater Facilities and Drilling. Cearley was honored previously as the 2015 UTEP Gold Nugget for the College of Science. His fascination with the Franklin Mountains since childhood led him to pursue his passion at UTEP, earning his degree in 1978. Cearley credits UTEP’s geological field experiences with helping him land a job quickly at Gulf Oil upon graduation. Before retiring, Cearley joined the College of Science’s Advisory Board and has served as its Chairman. He has played a key role in advancing doctoral programs and mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Paul Dipp
BBA in Management, 1977
Woody L. Hunt College of Business
Paul Dipp is a commercial real estate specialist and prominent business leader. His career spans more than five decades, with a focus on real estate and food industries. While attending UTEP, Dipp combined his academic studies with hands-on experience gained through his family business. As co-founding partner of Plaza Properties, Dipp played an integral role in preserving the Plaza Hotel and Plaza Theatre. He currently serves as President of Economy Wholesale Grocers. He has been recognized for his leadership and success over the years with honors like the 2025 Miner Business Impact Award and UTEP’s 2019 Gold Nugget Award. Dipp is a dedicated mentor and advocate for education, actively supporting UTEP students through employment and internships in business and civic organizations. He is committed to business innovation and the community that nurtured his growth.
Every year, UTEP’s eight colleges and schools select exceptional alumni to be recognized with the Gold Nugget Award. These recipients have established their commitment to service and demonstrate professional excellence.
The 2025 Gold Nugget Award Recipients are:
- Miriam Baca Kotkowski
- Ruben Chavez
- John Corcoran
- Brandy L. Maddox
- Bernadino Olague
- Joe H. Smith
- Wayne Thornton
- Mimi E. Veloso, Ph.D.
Miriam Baca Kotkowski
BBA in Finance, 1984; MBA, 2015
Woody L. Hunt College of Business
Miriam Baca Kotkowski is a respected leader in transportation and logistics who was the first woman in her immediate family to earn a college degree in 1984. Her professional journey began by managing a U.S. purchasing office for a well-regarded company in Mexico. In 1998, she co-founded Omega Trucking, Inc. with a mission of serving freight door-to-door between the U.S. and Mexico. As current President of TECMA Transportation Services, she leads regional and international logistics efforts, provides internship opportunities for aspiring business professionals and has also served as a lecturer at UTEP, reflecting her dedication to education and community empowerment in the supply chain field.
Ruben Chavez
B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1995
College of Engineering
Ruben Chavez is a driving force in shaping El Paso’s landscape through engineering that improves quality of life. Working with research faculty as a student inspired Chavez to establish his own engineering firm, founding CEA Engineering Group in 2002. Through his experience and dedication, CEA became one of the largest engineering firms in the region, providing significant support for major infrastructure projects. Chavez collaborates with UTEP frequently through outreach activities, design competitions and creating the CEA Academy, which hires students for rotational programs. His consistent effort to give students hands-on skills in engineering and a higher education exemplifies his support for student success.
John W. Corcoran
B.S. in Education, 1961
College of Education
John W. Corcoran is a published author, real estate developer and literacy advocate who is recognized across the U.S. Corcoran began his journey at UTEP through a basketball scholarship in 1959, where he realized the importance of an education while struggling with illiteracy. He began his career as a high school teacher and coach, later becoming a real estate investor and developer. Over time, Corcoran’s passion for literacy advocacy became his main purpose. Corcoran serves as the Founder and President of the John Corcoran Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and eradicating illiteracy in adults and children across America. Through his efforts, he was appointed to the National Institute for Literacy by President George H.W. Bush, served under President Bush and President Clinton, and testified before Congress on early childhood education. In 2023, he produced and released his documentary The Truth About Reading highlighting the illiteracy crisis in America.
Brandy L. Maddox
B.S. in Health Science, 2003
College of Health Sciences
Brandy L. Maddox is a scientist focused on protecting public health. Maddox began her career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a public health prevention specialist. With over 18 years of experience in the federal government, Maddox rose to become the Lead Health Scientist in the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, leading a team in the Global Tobacco Control Branch. Her research, evaluation and management expertise have influenced initiatives in sexually transmitted disease control and tuberculosis prevention and support the CDC’s public health preparedness and emergency response efforts. Maddox is a member of the UTEP Alumni Association Board of Directors, having served as the Vice President of Philanthropic Outreach and volunteering for various University efforts over the years.
Bernardino Olague
B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1991; M.S. in Civil Engineering, 2001
College of Engineering
Bernardino “Berna” Olague is an engineer with over 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors in both the United States and Mexico. After graduating from UTEP in 1991, Olague worked in numerous geotechnical engineering capacities for various infrastructure, petrochemical, institutional and water resources projects, gaining recognition and ultimately earning the 1998 Young Engineer of the Year and 2023 Engineer of the Year from the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. In 2009, he co-started the engineering practice, AT Analytica, and in 2012, acquired and expanded LOI Engineers, where he now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. Olague is a former President of the UTEP Alumni Association and has supported UTEP’s efforts to advance engineering student success by creating two UTEP scholarship endowments and mentoring civil engineering associations and students.
Joe H. Smith
B.S. in Physics, 1966
College of Science
Joe H. Smith is a computer scientist who has completed trailblazing work in seismic data processing. Smith begun his career implementing data processing techniques on his first computer at a time when computers were a new concept. His knowledge of geophysics and mathematics gave him an advantage with the technology, and he eventually became the first instructor in Trinity University’s computer science department. In 1974, Smith formed Petrophysics, Inc., a specialty geophysical service company that used computers to model seismic data, which later became a mainstay in petroleum exploration. Smith has sat on the College of Science Advisory Board and participated in the UTEP endowment scholarship program to assist current students pursuing their degrees.
Wayne Thornton
B.A. in Broadcasting, 1977
College of Liberal Arts
Wayne Thornton is a broadcasting personality, marketer and visionary here in the city of El Paso. As a college sophomore, Thornton co-founded the UTEP Women’s Basketball Program in 1973, becoming the head coach in 1977. After his coaching career, Thornton worked in the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, the Lincoln Center and eventually shifted to City Hall as the Public Relations and Marketing Director, serving a total of six decades before retiring in 2020. Thornton spearheaded the first television show by a city department on Time Warner Cable in 1992 and the first podcast by any city department in 2007. Over the years he hosted a weekly radio show with KISS–FM and Fox 92 while also writing a weekly column for the El Paso Times newspaper for 19 years. Thornton was inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and into the UTEP Hall of Fame in 2022.
Mimi E. Veloso, DNP
DNP in Nursing, 2019
College of Nursing
Mimi E. Veloso is an anesthetist and Army veteran who defines resilience and service to communities in need. A registered nurse, Veloso joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps while pursuing her degree. She was stationed in Hawaii, where she served in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After that stint, Veloso became a staff nurse anesthetist and moved across the globe following deployment orders and needs of the military through Asia, Europe and the Middle East. In 2010, Veloso retired from active duty and served as a civilian Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist before returning to El Paso in 2014. Since then, she has gone on various medical missions to underserved communities. Veloso established UTEP’s Freddie Caldwell DNP Scholarship, which assists aspiring nursing doctoral students in their journey through the program.
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