From left, standing: Laureen Fleck, Ph.D., ’00; ’07, ’11; FAU First Lady Jillian Hasner; FAU President Adam Hasner; Anna Alexopoulas Farrar ’07; and Mikki McComb-Kobza, Ph.D., ’09. From left, sitting: Joseph Colucci ’03; Howard J. Lurie ’91; ’92, Luis Moreno ’76; Cheryl Wilke ’88; Alan D. Siegel, Esq., ’07; Michael Kane, Ph.D., ’15.
Florida Atlantic University recently hosted its annual Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony and Reception. The annual event brought together alumni and community members to celebrate the accomplishments of their outstanding peers, with graduates from nine of FAU’s colleges honored for their career accomplishments.
Luis Alberto Moreno ’76, a graduate of the College of Business, and Cheryl Wilke ’88, a graduate of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, also were introduced as the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, marking the 40th anniversary of this award that represents the pinnacle of career impact and industry success.
“Florida Atlantic is home to a remarkable community of exemplary alumni, and these honorees have truly embodied this throughout their professional careers,” said Katie G. Burke, Ph.D., ’08, ’10, ’15, ’17, assistant vice president of alumni and community engagement. “We are delighted to celebrate such exceptional representatives of our university who continuously make a profound impact in their respective industries.”
Moreno served 15 years as president of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, transforming the organization and advancing innovation in economic development. Previously, he served as Colombia’s ambassador to the United States, playing a key role in securing bipartisan support for Plan Colombia, which helped drive security and economic progress. During his career, he has received numerous distinctions, including Colombia’s highest peacetime decoration, the Grand Cross of the Order of Boyaca.
Wilke practices law as an equity partner in the national law firm Lewis, Brisbois, Brigaard and Smith. She is a nationally recognized trial attorney and business strategist, serving on the firm’s management committee, as well as a co-managing partner of its Washington, D.C. and Fort Lauderdale offices. A proud member of FAU’s first freshman class, Wilke is a dedicated advocate for the university, serving as vice chair of the FAU Foundation Board.
Representing nine of FAU’s colleges are the following distinguished alumni:
- Anna Alexopoulos Farrar, B.A. ’07, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
- Jan Bednar, B.B.A. ’14, College of Business
- Joseph W. Colucci, B.A. ’03, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Laureen M. Fleck, M.S.N. ’00, D.N.S. ’07, Ph.D.’11, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Michael Kane, Ph.D. ’15, College of Education
- Howard J. Lurie, B.S.O.E. ’91, M.S.M.E. ’92, College of Engineering and Computer Science
- Mikki McComb-Kobza, Ph.D. ’09, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Katie Jerzewski Patel, M.D. ’15, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
- Alan D. Siegel, B.A. ’07, College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
For more information on this year’s Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Award honorees, visit faualumni.org/hall-of-fame.
-FAU-