November 10, 2011
NJ Revilla-Garcia

 

Gala honors founder and pioneers of Hispanic higher education

More than 650 individuals joined the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) at its Silver Anniversary Gala on October 31 for an evening of reflection on and celebration of the origins of the Association in San Antonio, Texas. A video tribute highlighted the founding of the Association which began with 18 charter institutions and has since expanded throughout the United States and to 11 other countries.

The Association celebrated the evening by honoring its founding board of directors as the pioneers of HACU. Recognized with the titles they held in 1986 were: Dr. Gilbert Sanchez, HACU’s first Board Chair, President, New

HACU visionary and founding father Antonio Rigual is inducted to the HACU Hall of Champions during the Silver Anniversary Gala

Mexico Highlands University; Dr. Steven Altman, Vice chair, President, Texas A&I University; Dr. Max Castillo, Secretary, President, San Antonio College; the late Sr. Elizabeth Anne Sueltenfuss, Treasurer, President, Our Lady of the Lake University (accepting on her behalf was Sister Isabel Ball, Professor at Our Lady of the Lake University); Gus Cardenas, Officer-at-Large, National Liaison for Hispanic Affairs, Xerox Corporation; Dr. Raul Cárdenas, Officer-at-Large, President, South Mountain Community College; Rev. Carlos Plazas, Ph.D., Officer-at-Large, President, St. Augustine College; and Dr. Antonio Rigual, HACU’s inaugural Executive Director. Not present was Jose Garza, Officer-at-Large, Director of Affirmative Action, Premark International, Inc.

The festive evening culminated with a standing ovation during the induction of HACU visionary and founding father Antonio Rigual into the HACU Hall of Champions. Throughout his higher education higher education career, Rigual has demonstrated a great commitment to championing Hispanic higher education success as a professor of Spanish, university administrator, and a pioneer of Hispanic higher education on a national level with the founding of HACU. His passion for education and his great vision has opened the path to educational opportunities for generations of students. 

The HACU Hall of Champions was established this year to honor those who embody the mission of HACU through exemplary efforts to champion Hispanic higher education. Each year, one or more individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Champions during HACU’s Annual Conference. 

 Click here to view an 25th Anniversary slideshow