September 2011, Volume 15, Number 4

Features

Former Colombian Leader Receives MDC’s Highest Honor

Former President of Colombia Dr. Álvaro Uribe Vélez
Former President of Colombia Dr. Álvaro Uribe Vélez recently received MDC's Presidential Medal.

Miami Dade College recently honored former President of Colombia Dr. Álvaro Uribe Vélez with its highest distinction: the Presidential Medal.

Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón presented the former Colombian dignitary with the College’s Presidential Medal at a recent reception in recognition of Dr. Uribe’s stellar legacy of uncompromising leadership during his presidency from 2002 to 2010.

Steadfast in his unrelenting fight against guerilla warfare, drug cartels, governmental corruption and other sociopolitical ailments afflicting the South American nation, the former president has received a wide array of accolades and praises throughout the years, including the American Jewish Committee’s “Light Unto the Nations” award in 2007 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. To these awards he now adds Miami Dade College’s highest
acknowledgment.

“This distinction is an honor for and from Miami Dade College, calling attention to those who have played a pivotal role and used their influence in trying to make the world a better place for justice, peace and hope,” Dr. Padrón said.

The MIami Dade College Presidential Medal already boasts of an impressive roster of world-renowned recipients who have contributed to the betterment of humanity in a variety of disciplines, including other current and former global leaders such as Poland’s Lech Walesa, former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Spain’s José María Aznar, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, economist and professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

— HP


More Features Articles

Miami Dade College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.
Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Miami Dade College.
Miami Dade College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution which does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, age, religion, national origin,
disability, veteran’s status, ethnicity, pregnancy, sexual orientation or genetic information. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the
Office of Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA Coordinator/Title IX Coordinator, at 305.237.2577.