FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Embassy of Spain in the U.S. to be presented with a HACU Award of Excellence

Eight organizations and individuals to be recognized

For the next two days, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) will present eight Awards of Excellence to individuals and organizations in recognition of their work in championing Hispanic higher education. HACU will also induct an individual to the HACU Hall of Champions. The awardees are to be recognized during HACU’s 2012 Annual Conference Oct. 20-22 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington D.C.

The honorees will receive the awards as follows:

Saturday, October 20, Opening Plenary, Marriott Ballroom 2 & 3, 4 p.m.  

• The President’s Award of Excellence to Dr. Sandra Serrano, Chancellor, Kern Community College District.

Sunday, October 21 Power Lunch, Marriott Ballroom 1, 2 & 3, noon 

• Special Leadership Award to the Embassy of Spain in the U.S., to be accepted by Ambassador of Spain in the U.S. Ramón Gil-Casares Satrústegui.
• HACU Lifelong Leadership Award to Chancellor Charlie Reed of California State University. Vice Chancellor Gary Ashley to accept the award on Reed's behalf.
• Exemplary Policy/Advocacy Leadership Award to Senator Richard Durbin. Chief Counsel & Staff Director to Sen. Durbin. Joey Zogby, to accept the award on his behalf.
• Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award to Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College, City University of New York. CUNY President Felix Matos Rodríguez is accepting the award on behalf of the institution.
• Special Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Arnold L. Mitchem, President of the Council for Opportunity in Education.

Monday, October 22, Power Lunch, Marriott Ballroom 1, 2 & 3, noon 

• Outstanding HACU Public Sector Partner to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Dr. Gregory Parham, Assistant Secretary of Administration, to accept the award on behalf of the USDA.
• The Extraordinary Philanthropic Partner Award to the United Health Foundation. Cory Alexander, Senior Vice President, Head of Government Affairs, to accept the award on the foundation’s behalf.
• Special Award for Exemplary Service to HACU to Silas Abrego, former Vice President, Student Affairs at California State University, Fullerton.
• Inductee into HACU's Hall of Champions is Dr. Tomás Arciniega, President Emeritus, California State University, Bakersfield and current Special Assistant to the Chancellor of the 23-campus California State University system.

About HACU

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of 18 institutions. Today, HACU represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America and Spain. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Information is available at www.hacu.net. HACU can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

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