These awards aim to recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves within the eleven institutional chairs currently held by the University. Among those attending the ceremony were the President of the Social Council, Joaquín Pérez; the Rector, Juan José Ruiz; the Vice President of the Social Council, Antonio Gonzalvez; the Vice Rector for Economics and Society, María José López; and the Secretary-Director of the Social Council.

The Dama d’Elx Chair awarded Mercedes Tendero for her research and management work at the L’Alcudia archaeological site; while the Palmeral d’Elx Chair recognized the La Torreta Public Integrated Vocational Training Center (CIPFP) for its work in training qualified personnel in palm cultivation and its advocacy for the recognition of the palm tree grower’s profession. The Pedro Ibarra Chair, for its part, recognized Carlos Maciá for providing photographic archives of great documentary value about Elche. The Fernando de Loazes Public Library in Orihuela has received the Miguel Hernández Chair award for its extensive section dedicated to the poet. The Misteri d’Elx Chair has awarded Ramón Vicente, organist of the Misteri d’Elx since 1993; the San Crispín Chair of the Footwear Industry of Elche has presented joint awards to Juan Perán, founder of the Pikolinos group, Jaime Carbonell, founder of Calzados Danubio, and Manuel Román, president of the Spanish Association of Footwear Components and Machinery Companies.

Likewise, the UMH Headquarters Chair in Rwanda has recognized Juan José Ballesta for his professional career as a UMH professor and volunteer in Rwanda since 2011; the Annetta Nicoli Chair has recognized Tere Martínez for her work combining art with expressive therapies and functional diversity. The Gudie Lawetz Chair of Cinematography and Documentary has awarded Antonio Segarra and José Segarra for Antonio Segarra’s amateur film legacy and José Segarra’s work in preserving, documenting, and classifying that material. Meanwhile, the Chair of Legal Clinic has awarded the UMH’s Communication, Marketing, and Student Services Department for its campaign to help those affected by the DANA storm, which included the distribution of 3,364 pairs of rain boots donated by Crocs Spain. Finally, the Chair of Rock, Modern Music, and New Trends has recognized the band Los Manises, representatives of the Elche-based musical avant-garde with national reach.