With University of Miami alumni living in all fifty states and 148 different countries, recognizing their outstanding accomplishments is a challenge. The UMAA awards program seeks out alumni who have been successful in their field or have made a significant impact through community service. The annual alumni awards also recognizes individuals and groups who have been actively involved with the University or Alumni Association during the year.

William R. Butler Community Service Award
Samantha Dietz Ph.D. '04, School of Education Research Associate, has been named the recipient of this year's William R. Butler Community Service Award for her work on Overtown's Town Park Village and Town Park neighborhood to further promote their community's well-being.

Samantha's community service work is part of a larger team effort being performed in concert with the Town Park Village residents, SOE community partners, caring SOE staff members, and with direct support from committed SOE administrators Dean Isaac Prilleltensky, Etiony Aldarondo, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Dunspaugh-Dalton Community and Educational Well-Being Research Center, and Marsha Talianoff, Assistant Dean of Development. To recognize this important team effort, in addition to SOE administrators, Samantha will accept the award alongside adult residents and SPEC-EY youth leaders from Town Park Village (TPV), SOE community partners, and SOE staff members who work closely with Samantha to help the residents of TPV promote their community's well-being.

This year's reception was held on April 30 at the Riviera Country Club. Click here to view pictures of the event.

Congratulations, Dr. Dietz!

	SOE's Etiony Aldarando (left) and Samantha Dietz (right) are shown here with LISC's Geraldine Goimbert.
	SOE's Dean Isaac Prilleltensky (left) and Samantha Dietz take a short break at the Town Park Village Yard Sale.
	(From left to right) Samantha Dietz and Kristopher Smith, (former Senior Program Officer for LISC) Program Director for The Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, work on the 17th Street Underpass charette
	Samantha Dietz and SPEC-EY leaders break from their discussion on the Civil Rights Movement and social justice during replay of President Obama's Inaugural speech .
	(l-r)Dana Milson (SPEC-EY Project Coordinator and Resident Mentor), Danesha, Sam, Brandy, Audrey, Demetria
	Mrs. Juanita Lester, Sam and other members of the Town Park Village Senior Citizen Task Force catch their breath seated beneath photos of the Town Park Village revitalization project.
	Pictured here in front of a map of the Town Park area of Overtown is Mrs. Lillian Slater, President of the Board of the Resident Association of Town Park Village. She has been living in Town Park Village since 1973, providing leadership, hope, compassion and a model of strength toward continuing positive change for her community.
	Pictured (l-r) from the School of Education,Susan Massey, Cathy Ferguson,Tinisha Hollinshead,Yvette Carpintero, Samantha Dietz, and Kysha Harriel; and, friend and colleague Dawn Stadmire from the School of Law.