Each year the organizes the . This event recognizes up to 10 alumni, aged 35 or younger, who have shown innovation and creativity in their careers while also displaying a strong commitment to ±«Óãtv.
This year, four of the six recipients of the award are alumni of the College of Arts and Sciences. These awardees will be honored at the upcoming ceremony on April 11 at the Gibbons Alumni Center on the Tampa campus.
The 2024 CAS alumni recipients are:
Johnathan Davila
Johnathan Davila, Biomedical Sciences ‘11
Davila serves as the president and co-founder of VÅ«, a cutting-edge virtual production company with offices throughout the United States, including one here in Tampa Bay. VÅ« has not only established itself as a leader in the industry but has also served prominent clients like The Walt Disney Co., CBS Sports, WWE, and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Shane McClanahan
Shane McClanahan, Political Science ‘18
McClanahan is both a former student and member of the ±«Óãtv baseball team. Today, he is most notably recognized as a two-time Major League Baseball all-star pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. Drafted by the Rays in 2021, he was nominated by the team for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2023, which is MLB's most prestigious individual honor. Beyond his professional baseball career, McClanahan has dedicated significant time as a volunteer with Buddy Baseball, a league that supports special-needs children.
Kyle L. McIntyre
Kyle L. McIntyre, Political Science '15
McIntyre, a veteran of the Navy and Air Force Reserve, served four years on active duty with consecutive deployments before earning his bachelor's degree from ±«ÓãtvSP. He now holds the position of deputy director of congressional affairs at Headquarters U.S. Space Force (USSF), where he offers strategic planning and synchronization support for USSF engagements with Congress.
Janae Thomas
Janae Thomas, MPA ’18 and PhD ’23
Thomas earned her Master of Public Administration degree and completed her PhD in Government within the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies. She utilizes her expertise in her roles as a judge advocate for the U.S. Air Force Reserve and as an associate at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood, and Boyer P.A. Prior to these positions, Thomas served as an assistant state attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit Court, where she was recognized as Government Attorney of the Year by the Hillsborough County Bar Association in 2020.
Learn more about the upcoming .