The University of Tampa Alumni Awards are the highest honors presented by the SAʴý Alumni Association Board on an annual basis. Selected through a highly competitive process, each recipient has made a lasting impact on society and on SAʴý through outstanding professional, philanthropic or volunteer accomplishments.
2026 Alumni Award Honorees
The Alumni Association is proud to announce the 2026 Alumni Award honorees. These individuals are recognized for their outstanding achievements in their professional fields and for their dedicated service to the University.
These prestigious awards are presented at the annual Alumni Awards Dinner the evening before Spring Commencement. Our current recipients are:
Esse Quam Videri - Lee Matthews '67
SAʴý alumni Lee and Janet Matthews established the Janet R. Matthews Endowed Chair of Psychology, the first SAʴý endowed chair named for alumni and the first outside the Sykes College of Business. The gift supports a faculty position in the Department of Psychology and includes the Drs. Janet and Lee Matthews Psychology Student Award for outstanding seniors. Janet Matthews, a former professor and clinical neuropsychologist, mentored generations of students who pursued advanced degrees in psychology and related fields. The Matthews’ gift reflects their ongoing commitment to SAʴý, academic excellence, mentorship and community engagement.
Young Alumni Award - Nik Lampe '16
Nik Lampe, Ph.D., has been an outstanding and consistently engaged member of the SAʴý community since graduating, contributing through service on the Board of Counselors, advising for the applied sociology program and years of mentoring students and alumni on careers, internships and graduate school preparation. They’ve helped countless students navigate the “hidden curriculum,” often connecting them to opportunities at USF and across the region. Beyond campus, Lampe plays a major role with the ACTS2 Project, supporting African American dementia caregivers with training and resources, while also serving as a community educator with the Alzheimer’s Association and contributing to statewide advocacy efforts. Their research with Live Tampa Bay further demonstrates their commitment to public impact, focusing on reducing fatal opioid overdoses among older adults. Altogether, their work reflects an exceptional and ongoing dedication to strengthening SAʴý and improving the lives of vulnerable individuals throughout the community.
Young Alumni Award - Dannielle Roque Franza '21, M.A. '22
Dannielle Roque Franza is a highly engaged SAʴý alumna whose leadership and service exemplify Spartan pride. Actively involved with the Alumni Association, she mentors students, supports alumni events and has even helped fellow Spartans launch their careers at the university—three of whom now serve the SAʴý community. Beyond campus,Franza is deeply committed to civic engagement through organizations such as the Lamplighters, Rotary Club of Tampa, Feeding Tampa Bay, The Spring of Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries. Her volunteer work focuses on supporting children, families and community well-being across Tampa Bay. Through her professional influence, mentorship and hands-on service,Franza continues to strengthen the SAʴý network and embody the university’s values of leadership, compassion and community impact.
Class of 1931 Award - Frank Silcox '87
Frank Silcox, a respected member of the SAʴý Class of 1987, has a long history of leadership and involvement dating back to his time as president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and an active IFC member. In recent years, he has reengaged with the University in meaningful ways, joining the Centennial Circle with a scholarship endowment and committing $500,000 through his estate. He volunteers with the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center as a CREATE competition judge and is exploring additional board-level opportunities to further support SAʴý. Professionally rooted in real estate investment,Silcox extends his civic engagement through roles on the Board of Directors for LM Funding America Inc. and as director of business development for the Tampa Business Law Group, alongside managing his long-standing company, FS Ventures, LLC. His leadership, generosity and professional expertise continue to strengthen the SAʴý community and the broader Tampa business landscape.
Alumni Achievement Award -Paul Weizer '94, MBA '11
Paul Weizer, a member of the Class of 1994 and an MBA graduate from SAʴý in 2011, is a retired U.S. Army Colonel whose professional achievements and lifelong connection to the University of Tampa exemplify the spirit of the Alumni Achievement Award. A graduate of SAʴý’s ROTC program,Weizer credits the University as foundational to his more than 32 years of distinguished military service, which included multiple combat deployments and senior leadership roles across the globe. Since retiring and returning to Tampa, he has become a highly engaged alum, regularly attending University and alumni events and remaining closely connected to the ROTC program. His service culminated in high-level assignments including program executive officer for Rotary Wing Systems at USSOCOM and director of armaments cooperation for the U.S. Mission to NATO. Weizer’s career has been recognized with numerous military honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and Bronze Star Medal. His continued involvement with SAʴý, paired with a legacy of leadership, service and civic commitment, reflects both his enduring pride in the University and the impact of his professional accomplishments.
