Maruchi Azorin (BA ’75, MBA ’78) | January 2023

Azorin (BA 1975, MBA 1978) is the founder and owner of Villa Rosa Distinctive Linens, one of Tampa Bay Area’s most successful specialty retail stores, established in 1984. She was recently appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. 

Maruchi is a two time UF graduate having earned her bachelor of arts degree with highest honors in 1975 and her MBA, with honors, in 1978. In 1997 and 1999, Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc., recognized Maruchi as Hispanic Business Woman of the Year. In 2010, the Tampa Bay Business Journal recognized Maruchi as Entrepreneur Business Woman of the Year and the Suncoast Regional Girls Scouts Council named her a Woman of Distinction. During her time at the University of Florida, Maruchi served as President (1975), vice president (1974) and parliamentarian (1973) for the UF Panhellenic Council. As a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, she was one of only 10 recipients in the country to receive the Dorothy Shaw Leadership National Award in 1975. 

She was the first Hispanic woman inducted into UF’s Hall of Fame, and the first Hispanic woman selected to membership in Florida Blue Key Leadership Honorary in 1975. As an alumna, Maruchi was a charter board member of the UF Student Affairs Alumni Advisory Board, and she initiated the Dr. Art Sandeen Endowment in 1996. She works with UF’s Vice President of Student Affairs to initiate and further the development of “Student Leader Alumni” support for UF through many projects, including Florida Opportunity Scholars.