On Saturday April 5, UC Riverside will host its second annual gala at the Student Recreation Center. The evening will showcase talented UCR faculty and students and pay tribute to those distinguished alumni and philanthropic leaders who exemplify the university’s visionary mission of social mobility, educational access, and research excellence.
The event kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by an elegant dining experience designed by UCR’s award-winning Chef Tye Nielsen. An awards show, hosted by UCR professor and artist Rickerby Hinds, creative musical performances, and a celebratory toast led by Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox will round out the night.
Tickets, table purchases, and sponsorship opportunities are now available at gala.ucr.edu. The registration deadline is March 18. Proceeds from ticket purchases, sponsorships, and donations will go toward UCR student support initiatives.
“The UCR Honors gala promises to be a special night of celebrating the student experience and acknowledging some of our closest friends who help us achieve our mission,” Wilcox said. “We could not have reached this level of excellence as a university without our alumni and friends who believe in and support our campus.”
This signature fundraising event will help provide much needed support for student initiatives, celebrate the rise of UCR’s profile among AAU institutions, and build relationships with individuals and organizations that advance UCR’s mission. The 2025 honorees are:
UCR Medallion
Brian Hawley ’89, M.S. ’91
Our institution’s highest honor, the UCR Medallion, will be presented to alumnus, philanthropic leader, and UCR Foundation Board trustee Brian Hawley. As president of Riverside-based Luminex Software Inc., Hawley is a founding member of the Riverside Technology CEO Forum, and past chair of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.
Distinguished Philanthropist Award
E. Dollie Totaro Wolverton ’57
The Distinguished Philanthropist Award will be presented to alumna and longtime UCR volunteer, E. Dollie Totaro Wolverton. A dedicated local educator, Wolverton served as Riverside County Head Start director, and as an early childhood specialist in the California Department of Education. Wolverton is the recipient of the 1992 Alumni Public Service Award, a 1907 Society member, and a former member of the UCR Alumni Association board.
Alumni Awards of Distinction
Distinguished Alumni Award
V. John White ’73
V. John White's career has spanned more than 35 years as a writer, consultant, lecturer, and advocate. He is the executive director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT), legislative director for Clean Power Campaign (CPC), and principal of the environmental and energy lobbying practice, V. John White Associates.
Alumni Service Award
Keona Henderson ’08
Keona Henderson is a realtor, women empowerment advocate, and community change agent. After serving as a senior probation officer for nearly 10 years, Henderson founded Positive Women Meet Up. She served two terms as president for the UCR Black Alumni Chapter, establishing the Black Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship Fund. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a founding member of the National Council of Negro Women Riverside Section, and serves on several UCR and community committees.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Gabriel Maldonado ’11
Gabriel Maldonado is an activist, community organizer, and founder and CEO of TruEvolution. Formerly a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS under President Barack Obama, Maldonado has served on the national advisory board for ViiV Healthcare and advisory groups for Merck & Co and Gilead Sciences. He serves on the board of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and was appointed as an inaugural commissioner to the Racial Equity Commission for California Governor Gavin Newsom.
