The 91视频 College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) hosted its annual da Vinci Society & Distinguished Alumni Recognition Dinner, bringing together college leadership, faculty, advisory board members, and friends of the college to celebrate the people whose leadership and generosity strengthen discovery, student opportunity and the future of NSM.
NSM Dean Gregory Dudley highlighted the essential role donor support and alumni engagement play in driving the college鈥檚 academic momentum. 鈥淭onight, we recognize individuals whose commitment and vision continue to shape the future of our college,鈥� said Dudley. 鈥淵our dedication fuels our overarching mission: empowering students, elevating research, and building a stronger foundation for scientific discovery.鈥�
Celebrating Philanthropic Leadership: The da Vinci Society
Founded in 2018, the da Vinci Society honors donors who have made extraordinary lifetime gifts or estate commitments to NSM of $100,000 or more. Drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci, the society recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of innovation and scientific progress.
Within the da Vinci Society, the Red Jacket Distinction represents the pinnacle of philanthropic commitment, recognizing donors whose cumulative contributions to NSM have reached $1 million or more. The group now includes 18 members nationwide whose transformative support powers scholarships, faculty research and academic programs.
Across NSM, that support helps expand student opportunity, advance faculty research and strengthen programs that fuel discovery.
Three people were honored with red jackets for their contributions to NSM鈥檚 success:
Dr. Fred Hilterman and Mrs. Kathleen Hilterman: Dr. Hilterman鈥檚 connection to UH spans over five decades, beginning in 1973 when he joined as a professor of geophysics. He was pivotal in advancing UH鈥檚 leadership in applied geophysics, serving as director of the Seismic Acoustic Laboratory. A past president of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and recipient of the SEG Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal, Dr. Hilterman and his wife, Kathleen, have dedicated decades of support to strengthening NSM鈥檚 scientific reach.
Dr. Willis King: Dr. King served as chair of the Department of Computer Science from 1979 to 1992 after joining the university in 1969. Nationally and internationally, he helped shape accreditation standards as president of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board and served as president of the IEEE Computer Society in 2002.
Recognizing Outstanding Achievement and Service
Two individuals were also honored for demonstrating the impact an NSM education and continued connection to the college can have across communities and industries.
2026 Distinguished Alumni Award: Dr. Ronald Timothy Cotton
Dr. Ronald Timothy Cotton (B.S. 鈥�02) is a native Houstonian who began his path in medicine through the Houston Premedical Academy, a joint partnership between the University of Houston and Baylor College of Medicine. After graduating summa cum laude from NSM, he completed his medical training at Baylor and went on to become an accomplished abdominal transplant surgeon, educator, and academic leader. Dr. Cotton serves as surgical director for the liver and kidney transplant programs at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and as vice chair for education in Baylor College of Medicine鈥檚 Department of Surgery.
Cotton鈥檚 career illustrates the broad foundation an NSM education can provide for advanced study, professional achievement and leadership.
2026 Honorary Alumni Award: Elizabeth Schwarze
Elizabeth Schwarze is the chair the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board and a 2024 da Vinci Society inductee. Schwarze was previously Chevron鈥檚 Vice President of Exploration following a 36-year career in global energy leadership and recently retired. She is a champion for NSM students by supporting scholarships, career development initiatives, and the teachHOUSTON STEM teacher preparation program.
Her continued engagement with the college reflects the important role industry and community partners can play in supporting students, creating opportunities and strengthening connections beyond the university.
Together, this year鈥檚 honorees reflect the many ways alumni, donors and community partners contribute to NSM. They help advance discovery, support students and create connections and opportunities that extend beyond the university. Their involvement strengthens the community of people and resources helping move NSM forward.