Homecoming Highlights: Celebrating UCF’s 2026 Shining Knights

Highlights

• Six shining Knights - Brandi Bryan '17MS, Carrie Daanen '92, Jogi Pattisapu, Shaina Ruth '18, Ronald C. Thow '93 and Ornella Vintimilla - are being honored for their leadership, service and impact across industries and communities.

• From healthcare and finance to criminal justice, medicine and student leadership, this year's Shining Knights Alumni awardees are using their bold ambitions to strengthen communities and help build what's next.

• The 2026 Shining Knights Alumni Awards will celebrate the extraordinary Knights creating lasting impact and advancing UCF's mission on Oct. 22 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando.

UCF Homecoming celebrates how far the university has come and where it's going next.

At the center of that tradition is the 2026 Shining Knights Alumni Awards, UCF's premier alumni recognition event. Each year, the awards honor alumni and friends of the university whose accomplishments, leadership and service embody the best of UCF while helping Knight Nation Go For Launch.

On Thursday, Oct. 22, the DeVos Family Room at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando will fill with Black & Gold pride as UCF recognizes six extraordinary individuals who are breaking barriers, lifting others and expanding what's possible for the university and their communities.

"This is the pinnacle of alumni recognition at UCF, an evening when Knight Nation comes together to honor those whose leadership, service and achievements represent the very best of our university," says Heather Junod '98, associate vice president for UCF Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. "This year's honorees exemplify the ambition, innovation and impact that define UCF. Their accomplishments elevate our university, inspire future generations of Knights, and demonstrate the difference UCF graduates make in their communities and around the world."

Distinguished Alumni Award

The highest honor bestowed annually upon a UCF graduate.

Brandi Bryan '17MS

A healthcare executive advancing the future of nursing, Brandi Bryan '17MS has dedicated her career to improving patient care and preparing the next generation of nurse leaders. A proud UCF College of Nursing graduate, she mentors students, serves on the college's alumni council and champions opportunities that strengthen the nursing profession. Through her leadership and steadfast commitment to service, Bryan is helping build healthier communities and a stronger future for nursing.

Carrie Daanen '92

A retired finance executive, philanthropist and dedicated UCF volunteer, Carrie Daanen '92 helps clear the path to graduation for UCF students through her generous support. A first-generation college graduate, she champions scholarships, student stabilization and mentorship for women in business. Guided by gratitude for the opportunities UCF provided, Daanen, a member of The Charles Millican Legacy Society, invests her resources, expertise and passion to ensure a financial setback never becomes the reason a degree goes unfinished, helping launch futures and strengthen communities for generations to come.

Ronald C. Thow '93

A principal of Cannell & Spears and former UCF student-athlete, Ron C. Thow '93 has built a career grounded in resilience, teamwork and ambition. As a first-generation college graduate, he credits UCF with opening doors during his time pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, helping shape his professional journey. Today, Thow is a member of The Charles Millican Legacy Society and proudly supports many programs in UCF Athletics and the College of Arts and Humanities through his philanthropy and by encouraging future Knights to dream boldly, embrace challenges and pursue every opportunity with purpose.

John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award

The highest honor for a friend of UCF.

Jogi Pattisapu, M.D.

An internationally respected pediatric neurosurgeon, educator and mentor, Jogi Pattisapu has devoted his career to advancing medicine while inspiring future physicians. Through decades of teaching, clinical excellence, philanthropy and service to UCF, including a faculty appointment as a professor of neurosurgery at the UCF College of Medicine, he has challenged generations of students to think critically, lead compassionately and pursue lifelong learning. His enduring legacy is reflected in the countless lives he has helped shape.

Young Alumni Award

The highest annual honor for a recent 30 Under 30 honoree.

Shaina Ruth '18

A prosecutor and advocate for crime victims, criminal justice graduate Shaina Ruth '18 has dedicated her career to protecting vulnerable individuals and seeking justice with compassion. Inspired by mentors and meaningful internships at UCF Victim Services, she remains deeply committed to giving back as a UCF Legal Studies mentor. Ruth embraces the power of unexpected opportunities and encourages future Knights to do the same while making a lasting difference.

Distinguished Student Award

The highest honor for a current UCF student.

Ornella Vintimilla

A Burnett Honors Scholar, future physician-scientist and dedicated student leader, Ornella Vintimilla has transformed her transfer student experience into a mission of mentorship, service and discovery. Through leadership roles across campus, including an academic advancement programs ambassador, the biomedical sciences major helps fellow students recognize their potential while preparing for a career in medicine. Vintimilla is committed to expanding opportunities that empower others to strive for bold goals and make a meaningful impact.

Interested in joining Knight Nation as we celebrate Black & Gold excellence at the 2026 Shining Knights Alumni Awards? Learn more about registration and sponsorship opportunities.

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