TAMPA, FL – March 7, 2019 – Five University of South Florida alumni age 35 and younger have been selected as Outstanding Young Alumni in recognition of their exceptional professional and community contributions.
The award recipients boast an array of accomplishments, from a Grammy Award-winning music teacher and a medical inventor, to an advocate for at-risk youth, a state lawmaker and an architect creating unexpected places to play in communities across the country. They will be recognized at a special awards ceremony and reception May 16, 2019.
USF’s Outstanding Young Alumni for 2019 are:
Keith W. Babb III, Social Work ’07 and MPA ’10 – founder and executive director of the faith-based nonprofit 2nd C.H.A.N.C.E. Center 4 Boyz; director of One More Child-Hope Street; 2014 Lightning Community Hero award recipient
Dr. Jacqueline Darna, N.M.D., Biomedical Sciences ’07 – medical inventor and CEO of NoMo Nausea Band, a natural nausea suppressant that has garnered numerous awards, including winning The Big Pitch hosted by Kevin Harrington of TV’s Shark Tank
Melissa “Mely” Salguero, Music Education ’09 – 2018 Grammy Music Educator Award winner recognized for bringing instruments and a vibrant music program to students in the nation’s poorest congressional district
Florida Rep. Chris Sprowls, Political Science ’06 – elected twice to the Florida House, representing northern Pinellas County, former assistant state attorney and currently an attorney with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Ryan Swanson, Master of Architecture ’13 – founder and CEO of The Urban Conga, a multidisciplinary design firm that promotes community activity and social interaction through play; American Institute of Architects Florida Craftsman of 2018
About the USF Alumni Association
The USF Alumni Association is a mem nonprofit organization comprised of former students and friends of the University of South Florida. The association helps USF’s 340,000 alumni stay connected and provides meaningful ways for USF Bulls to support, promote and protect their university. For more information, visit <a href=”http://www.usfalumni.org”www.usfalumni.org, like our Facebook page at <a href=”http://www.facebook.com/USFalumni”www.facebook.com/USFalumni or follow us on Twitter @USFAlumniAssn.
About the USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award
The USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award was established in 2004 to annually recognize young alumni who have demonstrated emerging and unique innovation, creativity and success in their careers. An awards ceremony is planned for 5 p.m. May 16 at the Gibbons Alumni Center in Tampa. Tickets are $25, or $20 for Alumni Association members and ages 35 and younger.