GETTING THEIR DUE

Dollars for scholars

League of United Latin American Citizens of Arkansas gala honors service, raises money

A university chancellor, a vice chancellor, two institutions of higher education and an outstanding volunteer were honored at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Arkansas' Scholarship Gala 2017, which took place Oct. 13 in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center and featured a dinner of braised orange and guajillo beef.

Miguel Lopez was master of ceremonies for a program that began with opening remarks by Andre Guerrero, the league's state deputy director. The night's honors consisted of the President's Award, which went to University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson; the El Sueno Americano Award, presented to Itzel Velazquez with LULAC of Faulkner County; and the La Esperanza Award, presented in absentia to Dr. Billy Thomas, vice chancellor of diversity and inclusion at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Center for Diversity Affairs. Hendrix College at Conway (represented by its vice president for enrollment, Sam Nichols) and Arkansas Tech University at Russellville (represented by its president Robin Bowen) each was presented a University Service Award. The Community Service Award went to Linda Kindy, retired coordinator of adult education for the Little Rock School District.

Also recognized were the league's 38 scholarship recipients, including those awarded the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College full scholarships; the Patricia Guardado Scholarship; and the Jerry and Terry Richard Family Scholarship. The Clinton Foundation Award was presented to scholarship recipient and Hendrix business/economics major Victor Lopez. The climax of the gala was an intense speech by Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner.

LULAC of Arkansas has awarded more than 700 scholarships to students attending colleges and universities throughout the nation.

-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 10/22/2017

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