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2012 Honorees:

Dr. Luis M. Proenza and wife Theresa Butler Proenza were honored at the Akron Dinner of Champions on June 13, 2012. Dr. Proenza has been President of The University of Akron since 1999. For anyone who has been on campus lately, the physical transformation has been astounding. He has also led the University to become a powerful engine for regional economic development, a catalyst for collaborative initiatives and the preeminent public research university in Northeast Ohio.

Theresa Butler Proenza has served on many civic, educational, health, legal and nonprofit organizations in the community including Akron Public Schools, Summa Health System, Pawsibilities: Humane Society of Greater Akron and Akron-Summit County Public Library. She has led several capital campaigns and organized fundraising events.

The Potenza’s have enjoyed careers, friends and community involvement together for nearly 30 years. They have a house full of dogs and cats and try to spend as much time as possible sailing alone together. They spent 15 years designing and building their two-masted, 44-foot sailing vessel, Apogee, which they sail on Lake Erie.

Proceeds from Dinners of Champions have totaled more than $5.9 million and are used to provide programs and services to the 11,000 people with MS and their families in the Ohio Buckeye Chapter. Proceeds also support research efforts to find the cause of and cure for multiple sclerosis.

Past Akron honorees include:
2012 - Dr. Luis M. Proenza, President; The University of Akron and Theresa Butler Proenza
2011 - Phil H. Maynard, Chairman, ASW Properties, Ltd.
2010 - Ann Amer Brennan, Chair; Brennan Family Foundation
2009 - Thomas J. Strauss, President & CEO, Summa Health System 
2008 - Anthony J. Alexander, President & CEO; FirstEnergy Corp.
2007 - William H. Considine, President & CEO; Akron Children's Hospital