Florida State University will recognize six notable alumni from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy at three different events during Homecoming weekend, which will take place Friday, Nov. 22, through Sunday, Nov. 24.
“Our remarkable alumni honorees demonstrate the value of a degree from FSU, and Homecoming is the perfect time to recognize them,” said Julie Decker, associate vice president of university advancement, alumni engagement and president of the FSU Alumni Association. “They exemplify what it means to be a graduate of Florida State. FSU educates students who go on to make an impact wherever they land. These alumni show us what is possible. We invite all alumni, students, parents and friends to join us in celebrating this happy occasion.”
On Friday, Nov. 22, the FSU Alumni Awards ceremony will celebrate 12 distinguished alumni, including recipients of the Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni, The Inspire, Circle of Gold and The Bernard F. Sliger awards.
The FSU Homecoming Breakfast, presented in partnership with the FSU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), will celebrate four recipients of the Grads Made Good Award on Saturday, Nov. 23.
On Sunday, Nov. 24, the Emeriti Alumni Society at FSU’s Induction Brunch and Award Ceremony will celebrate six honorees of the Commitment to Excellence, Conradi Lifetime Achievement and Dean Eyman Distinctive Service awards. All three events will take place at the FSU Alumni Center, 1030 W. Tennessee St.
For more information and to register to attend the FSU Alumni Awards event, Homecoming Breakfast and EAS Induction Brunch and Award Ceremony, visit gonol.es/alumniawards, gonol.es/hocobreakfast2024 and gonol.es/easreunion24, respectively.
FSU Alumni Awards—Friday, Nov. 22
The Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni Award is the highest honor bestowed upon young alumni by the FSU Alumni Association.
Joanny “Joey” Arellano (B.A. International Affairs ’15, B.A. English ’15)
Joey Arellano possesses a distinct expertise in public relations which spans the arts, corporate, health care, nonprofit sectors and more. He is the deputy director of communications for the Florida House of Representatives Office of the Minority Leader. In 2022, he received the Unsung Hero Award in recognition of contributions made in his previous role and to the community, and in 2024, he was recognized as one of Florida’s “Great Communicators” by Influence Magazine. Arellano was recently appointed to The Florida Bar’s Citizens Advisory Committee. He earned dual degrees in international affairs and editing, writing and media, complemented by a disaster management and homeland security certificate from FSU.
The Inspire Award recognizes alumnae who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their industry and serve as an inspiration to students and young alumni.
Leticia “Tish” (Garcia) Stropes (B.A. International Affairs ’95 & B.S. Political Sciences ’95)
Tish Stropes is the vice president of strategic initiatives for the Fisher House Foundation. Stropes spearheads the foundations’ engagement with worldwide sporting competitions for service members and veterans. She also leads programs that help military families stay connected to loved ones undergoing medical treatment. In addition, Tish develops and sustains long-term partnerships with supporting organizations. She has spoken internationally about the importance of families in the continued recovery of wounded, injured and ill service members and veterans. Stropes is a Presidential Leadership Scholar and currently serves on the Boot Campaign Board and FSU’s Division of Student Affairs Council. Her previous experiences include working for the White House and Department of State and teaching at Department of Defense schools in Japan. Stropes graduated from FSU with political science and international affairs degrees and went on to earn an M.S. in educational leadership. She currently resides in the greater Washington, D.C. area with her husband.
The Circle of Gold recognizes those whose service and achievements personify Florida State University’s tradition of excellence.
Javier “Javi” Borges (B.S. ’97 International Affairs)
Javi Borges serves as the Global Media & Entertainment Leader for EY. With more than 25 years of experience, he is focused on serving some of the largest M&E organizations through EY’s assurance, consulting, strategy and transaction and tax services, helping them achieve their strategic, operational and risk management goals. Previously, he served as the Miami Office Managing Partner, a member of the firm’s Regional Partner Forum and steering committee member of the Latino Professional Network. In 2016, he was honored as a Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever by the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility. He is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee in Miami and St. Brendan High School Board of Directors. Borges is the current and first Hispanic chair of the FSU Alumni Association National Board of Directors. He is a past president of the Seminole Club of Miami and the Seminole Club of New York City. Borges graduated from FSU with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and multinational business in 1997. He and his wife Lauren (B.S. 04) reside in Miami with their two children.
FSU Homecoming Breakfast—Saturday, Nov. 23
The Grads Made Good Award celebrates alumni who have made a significant difference through outstanding success in their fields.
Devonta Freeman (B.S. Interdisciplinary Social Sciences ’21)
Devonta Freeman’s love for football began at 3 or 4 years old when his mother gifted him his first football. It ignited a passion that fueled his relentless pursuit of excellence on and off the field. From humble beginnings in Miami, Florida, Freeman played for the Moore Park Generals starting in fifth grade, and from then on, he decided to dedicate himself to football and his academic studies. Freeman’s hard work and commitment led him to FSU, where he received a scholarship under Coach Jimbo Fisher. At FSU, he helped lead the Seminoles to a national championship during his junior season. After declaring for the NFL Draft, Freeman was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round. Freeman is grateful for the opportunities he has had to play for teams including the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens. Each step of the way reinforced his belief in determination, resilience and the drive to succeed against all odds. While Freeman’s football career has brought him joy, his heart has always been drawn to giving back to the community. Supporting those in need and uplifting others has been a top priority, and he strives to make a positive impact wherever he can. Freeman looks forward to continuing to inspire and support others in our community.
Jared Lyon (B.S. Social Science ’11)
Jared Lyon is the national president and CEO of Student Veterans of America, where he leads efforts to empower student veterans using the transformative power of higher education. Since taking office in 2016, Lyon has overseen SVA’s growth to more than 1,600 chapters, representing over 750,000 student veterans. He co-authored the National Veteran Education Success Tracker, a comprehensive study of the first 854,000 student veterans to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill. He led SVA’s commitment to pass the “Forever GI Bill,” the largest expansion of college aid for military veterans in a decade with an economic impact of $3.4 Billion. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Lyon served as a submariner and diver. He also held prior roles at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans and the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team. He is a member of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education, board of advisors for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, the President George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council, FSU Veteran Advisory Board and FSU Student Affairs Development Council. Lyons also played a critical role in establishing the FSU Student Veterans Center under former FSU President Eric J. Barron. Additionally, Lyon was recognized as the grand marshal of the 2020 New York City Veterans Day parade, a 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholar and 2011 SVA National Student Veteran of the Year. He holds an A.A. from Eastern Florida State College, a B.S. from FSU and an MPA from Syracuse University, where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in social science.
Emeriti Alumni Society at FSU’s Induction Brunch—Sunday, Nov. 24
The Conradi Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously honors a member of the FSU family with a long record of exceptional volunteer service to the university. The 2024 Conradi Lifetime Achievement Award honoree is Judge James Joanos.
Judge James Joanos (B.S. Government (Political Science) and Public Administration ’56)
James Joanos, honored posthumously, was a veteran attorney, judge and devoted alumnus of FSU. A Tallahassee native, he graduated from Leon High School and Florida State University, served three years in the Air Force, then went to Yale Law School before returning to his hometown to practice law. He became a trial judge on the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida for eight years. Eventually, he rose to chief judge of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal, serving there for two decades. In 2000, Joanos retired to private practice. He was instrumental in establishing FSU’s College of Law, where he also served as an adjunct professor for over 20 years. In 1970, he served as president of the FSU Alumni Association. Later, he received nearly every honor a volunteer can receive from FSU including the FSU Alumni Association’s Circle of Gold award—an award he helped create to honor alumni of merit who, by their service and accomplishments, embody the esteemed tradition of excellence at the university. In 2005, he was honored with the Bernard F. Sliger Award, and in 2015, Joanos and his wife Betty Lou received the Moore-Stone Award at the Hall of Fame induction. Joanos earned a B.S. in government and public administration from FSU, and as a student, he served as a student body leader and member of the FSU Varsity Club (Track).