Photo recap: Tribute to Veterans Celebration

Published on: November 25, 2025 By: Brhea Washington

Tribute to Veterans 2025 - desktop banner — Members of the campus community placed their hands over their hearts as the national anthem was played at UT Southwestern’s Tribute to Veterans Celebration following the presentation of the colors by members of Dr. John D. Horn High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Color Guard in the foreground.

UT Southwestern honored its nearly 800 community members who identify as veterans at its 11th annual Tribute to Veterans ceremony on Nov. 11. Keynote speaker Tony Lakin, M.S.I.T., Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at UTSW, spoke about his military experience. He served in the U.S. Air Force on active duty for 23 years in various roles, culminating as Director of Operations for the Air Force’s premier cyber warfare squadron at Fort Meade, Maryland, where he directed cyber operations in support of national strategic objectives, the FBI, and the CIA.

Mr. Lakin spoke of the Air Force’s core values – integrity, excellence, and service – which laid an essential foundation that continues to guide his career today.

“Integrity is the willingness to do the right thing and being a moral compass that guides courage, honesty, and accountability. As airmen, we lived by that, believed in it, and it was ingrained in our DNA,” he said. “Excellence represents the continual personal and professional commitment to always get better, which will keep you on the path to achieve great things.”

Hosted by the Office for Institutional Opportunity, the event featured the presentation of the colors by Dr. John D. Horn High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Color Guard and a performance of the national anthem by Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s principal trumpet player, Stuart Stephenson. Enjoy some photo highlights from the event.

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Shawna Nesbitt, M.D., M.S., Vice President and Chief Institutional Opportunity Officer and Professor of Internal Medicine, welcomed campus attendees to the event.

The event began with the presentation of the colors led by Dr. John D. Horn High School’s JROTC Color Guard.

Attendees were invited to stand for the national anthem, led by the JROTC Color Guard.

Stuart Stephenson, Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s principal trumpet player, performed a beautiful rendition of the national anthem.

Cardell Velez, M.B.A., Associate Vice President of Hospital Operations and Imaging Services and Executive Sponsor for the Veterans Alliance BRG, introduced the keynote speaker.

Mr. Lakin shared that his most important takeaways from his time in service were the significance of teamwork and leadership. “Leadership matters, not your service or organization, but you as a leader and the culture of the team you’re building. Be a leader, but lead with empathy and understanding,” he said. “Teamwork is key, and you don’t do great things without taking care of one another and working together to achieve goals.”

The event drew big crowds who came out to honor and celebrate veterans.

Many UTSW leaders were in attendance to celebrate service members, including, from left: Jonathan Efron, M.D., Executive Vice President for Health System Affairs; Chris Rubio, M.B.A., FACHE, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Health System; and President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D.

Alexandra Penner, a second-year medical student, represented UTSW’s Armed Forces Landing Zone, a student organization that bridges the gap between military and civilian communities through education, service, and outreach.

Members of UT Southwestern’s Employee Advisory Council, handing out free goodies at their booth, greeted an event attendee.

Members of the Veterans Alliance Business Resource Group (BRG) gathered for a group photo.

Employees were all smiles as they enjoyed the event’s lunch reception.

Office for Institutional Opportunity Director Dawn Cureton, M.B.A., left, and Program Coordinator Winnie Law pose with complimentary handheld flags at the Tribute to Veterans Celebration.