published by Florida Trend magazine.
▲ Jamie Blucher ’01, Orlando, an attorney at Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe law firm was recently awarded the 2014 New Attorney Award of Excellence by the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. The award is presented to attorneys practicing law for less than five years who have provided noteworthy and significant pro bono service to the community. She is also a recipient of the Young Lawyer Pro Bono Award of Excellence from the Young Lawyers Section of the Orange County Bar Association. As a member of the Legal Aid Society, she provides pro bono representation to abused and neglected children and has logged more than 250 pro bono hours representing children and minors. Blair H. Chan, JD ’01, Tampa, has been selected for the highest AV rating given by Martindale-Hubbell. Amy Drushal, JD ’01, Tampa, of Trenam Kemker, was recently elected to the council for the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Division. She was also named to the 2014 Florida Super Lawyers Business Edition.
▲ Patricia Maddox Fleming ’01, Brooklyn Park, Minn., received her
Ph.D. in sociology from Loyola University Chicago. Katherine Schnauss Naugle, MBA/JD ’01, Jacksonville, was selected a member of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers’ 2014 class of Leaders in the Law at the organization’s annual convention. Jack White ’01, Daytona Beach, appeared in The Daytona Beach NewsJournal’s MyCoast magazine in an article about Volusia County’s most influential people. Scott T. Brazdo ’02, MBA ’10, Viera, CEO of Black Tie Digital Marketing, has now opened its second office location in Lake Mary, Fla. The firm offers comprehensive web design and search engine optimization services to clients looking to reach new customers online through a powerful Web presence. Alicia Polk, JD ’02, Dade City, was elected Circuit Court judge, Group 2. A. Courtney Cox, MBA/JD ’03, Tampa, has been promoted to vice president, litigation, at WellCare. Christina Sanchez, JD ’03, Melbourne, was a candidate for 18th Circuit judge, Group 13 seat.
▲ Kristi Soutar ’03, Jersey City, graduated from Drew University with a master of divinity in May 2014. She is pictured with husband Ral Turbeville. Sozon C. Vatikiotis ’03, JD ’05, Lakeland, has been promoted to CEO of Alltrust. Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse ’03, JD ’06, White Plains, N.Y., has joined Goldberg Sagalla as an associate in its New York office. He is a member of the firm’s risk and litiga-
Angelica Millán in her studio.
Art Grad Lives Stetson’s Core Values Through her passion for art, community engagement and cultural awareness, Angelica Millán ’13 exemplifies Stetson University’s core values of personal growth, global citizenship and intellectual development through her commitment to social engagement. She was part of Stetson’s Bonner program, an experience that permitted her to work with community partners in the area to address societal issues through service. Millán believes she didn’t “discover” art, but rather, it was a progressive involvement in creativity that developed into a career. “As a young girl, I spent a lot of time coloring books, mixing and matching forms on arbitrary surfaces. I would draw spirals on eyes or add polka dots on faces. My parents encouraged me to explore our surroundings, which led me to paint with flower petals on tree trunks. My childhood was basically a constant fascination with color and form,” she recalls. Millán identifies experience and identity as common themes in her work throughout the years. She represents Stetson’s value of personal growth as well. She recalls her immigration to the United States at the age of 12. “This experience made me culturally versatile,” she says. “The change was a rewarding one.” Thanks to this experience, Millán says she relates and communicates with a wider group of people while reaching a larger audience through her work. “I began to look at art from a conceptual standpoint,” she explains. “From contemporary art, I understood the theories and concepts that were often influenced by philosophy and psychology, like Giacometti’s thinly carved sculptures that questioned existentialism. Also, my understanding of social issues through art influenced the intent behind my work. For example, learning about Kahlo’s life as an evolving feminist and her impact on the art world and culture continues to motivate me to have a similar impact on my audience.” Millán hopes to travel to and reside in remote indigenous areas in South America and around the world to learn more about their textile culture. She plans to create an art series using these textiles and techniques with the goal of exhibiting her work in galleries and donating part of the proceeds back to help develop these local communities. “For me, art is work, commitment and daily pursuit,” she says. “I believe the challenge is a matter of balance.” —Michael van Oppen
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