Meet the 2008 Alumni Awards Winners

Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Joe Goldblatt, CSEP, ’75

Joe Goldblatt, Phd, CSEP ’75, is a maxima cum laude graduate of the Theater Arts program at St. Edward's and has become an international authority on event management and leadership. He holds a master's degree in Tourism Administration and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University and is one of only 200 people in the world to have earned the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) certification awarded by the International Special Events Society. A former university Dean, Joe served from 2003-2007 as the senior lecturer in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University and he most recently received a lifetime appointment as lecturer and developer of the world's first Global Centre for Eventology at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he now makes his home with his wife of thirty years, Nancy. Joe has produced hundreds of events for luminaries (including two U.S. presidents) and authored, co-authored and edited 15 books and hundreds of articles. A sought-after speaker and frequent guest on television and radio programs, Joe has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and served as NBC's commentator for the 1997 U.S. Presidential Inaugural Parade. An active member of the St. Edward's University Alumni Association, Joe has been a guest speaker on campus and served as a university delegate at Temple University's presidential inauguration. Most importantly, Joe believes in the lasting value of a St. Edward's University education and has supported St. Edward's for more than 25 years, helping current and future students.

Distinguished Alumna Award
Cynthia Hendrick Kozmetsky, ’95

Cindy Kozmetsky, ’95, and has long been an active community leader, volunteer and philanthropist. Currently, she is the vice president and secretary of the RGK Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing knowledge, improving society and helping the realization of human potential here and abroad. Since 1966, the RGK Foundation has supported hundreds of not-for-profit corporations in the area of medicine, health, civic leadership, the arts and education. Cindy is a Life Trustee of the Children's Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas and was a steering committee member for the Women's Fund of Central Texas. One of the founders of Women Vote, Cindy's past volunteer and community activities have included the Junior League of Austin, Greenlights for Nonprofit Success and advisory committee roles for People's Community Clinic, UT Press, and Leadership Austin. In 2005 she was the graduation speaker at St. Edward's University and received the Honorary Leadership Austin Alumnus Award in 2006. Along with husband Gregory Kozmetsky, '70, Cindy served as an honorary chair of A Special Destiny: The Campaign for St. Edward's University. Greg and Cindy's son Daniel Kozmetsky, '02, continues the line of Kozmetsky family graduates.

Distinguished Alumnus Award
Nathaniel Thomas, ’79

Nathaniel “Nate” Thomas, ’79, graduated from the Theatre Arts program at St. Edward’s and went on to receive his master’s in Cinema Production from the University of Southern California’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. An award-winning director and producer of feature films, documentaries, television commercials, public service announcements and music videos, Nate is a professor of Cinema and Television Arts and head of the film production program at California State University, Northridge.

His independent feature film East of Hope Street earned him a Sony Innovator Award and garnered numerous accolades including Best Urban Drama at the 1998 New York International Independent Film Festival and first place in the cross-cultural category of the 1998 Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Festival.  It was also nominated for the prestigious Imagen Award (Spanish Image Awards). Nate has also been recognized for his film work with an award from the Black American Cinema Society, a CINE Golden Eagle and a Focus Award, among others. While his work has taken him on location around the country with actors and politicians, Nate stays connected to the hilltop as an active member of Los Angeles Alumni Chapter and has returned to campus to share his experiences with current Theatre Arts students. 

Alumni Achievement Award
Arnulfo Hernandez, ‘04

Born in south Texas to a migrant farm family, Arnulfo "Arnold" Hernandez, '04, encountered the daily challenges of low wages, harsh working conditions, lack of health care and lack of education. Despite the challenges, Arnold recognized the role that education would play in his life. Upon graduating from high school, Arnold received a scholarship through the College Assistance Migrant Program to attend St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. At St. Edward's his interest in mentoring was piqued. In addition to serving as a student ambassador through the Office of Undergraduate Admission, Arnold was a student orientation leader, a Coordinator with the Dean of Students, and a participant in the AmeriCorps community mentor program, an effort that places college students in mentorship roles at Austin-area elementary schools.

Arnold developed a strong relationship with the university community that continues to this day. Arnold has served as a panelist, CAMP mentor and attended various alumni events since he graduated in 2004. While at St. Edward's, Arnold wrote, directed and produced the autobiographical documentary, "Harvesting a Dream", which won the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Reel Life Video Contest and was later screened at the CineSol Latino Film Festival in South Padre Island.

Today, Arnold serves as The Sallie Mae Fund's national spokesperson for its Paying For College Bus Tour. The Tour, now in its fourth year, delivers information, workshops, and other resources on planning and paying for college to communities throughout the country.

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