For immediate release

¡Adelante! U.S. Education Leadership Fund
honors Hispanic scholars and future leaders

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Leading representatives from the fields of education, sports, the military and Corporate America celebrated tomorrow’s leaders at the national ¡Adelante! U.S. Education Leadership Fund awards ceremony for top Hispanic college students from throughout the country on Saturday night in San Antonio.

“¡Adelante! is directly addressing the need to increase the ranks of Hispanic college graduates, while also equipping them with the skills they need to become future leaders in their communities and for the country,” said Antonio R. Flores, president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

“Indeed, this national scholarship and leadership development program has become more important than ever. In this high technology, global economy, a college education is essential. Yet, just over one in ten Hispanics over the age of 25 holds a bachelor’s degree. Every student who has participated in the ¡Adelante! program has either earned a bachelor’s degree or is actively pursuing a degree. This is a program that is making a remarkable difference in service to the country’s youngest and largest ethnic population,” said Flores, who also is board chair of the ¡Adelante! U.S. Education Leadership Fund.

Award-winning sportscaster Bernardo Osuna, co-host of the top-rated boxing show “Solo Boxeo” (Just Boxing) on Telefutura, emceed Saturday night’s ceremony honoring ¡Adelante! scholars from Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico and New York.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Angela Salinas, the much-decorated Commanding Officer of the 12th Marine Corps District who recently was named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the country, joined Flores and executives from Miller Brewing Company at the awards ceremony honoring students participating in this year’s ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute. The four-day Institute ended Sunday.

Miller Brewing Company has been a supporter of the program since it was established by HACU, providing initial and continuing funding for the now-independent non-profit scholarship, internship and leadership development program.

“Miller Brewing Company is an extraordinary champion of our Hispanic communities and a role model for Corporate America for its commitment to building a better future for our youth by making a college degree a reality for so many of our students,” Flores said.

“Miller Brewing Company is building a better future for all of us by supporting this important program that is providing the foundation for the next generation of diverse leadership for this country,” Flores said.

Each year, ¡Adelante! offers students from among HACU’s 360 member colleges and universities a unique combination of Miller Brewing Company-funded scholarships worth up to $3,000, on-the-job experiences at summer corporate internships and an annual leadership institute to help students excel in college and in their future professions. HACU member colleges and universities collectively serve more than two-thirds of all Hispanic higher education students.

“Miller Brewing Company is proud to be part of a program that is reaching out to so many talented students who will become role models for the next generation of Hispanic students, professionals and community leaders,” said Jose Ruano, corporate relations manager for Miller Brewing Company and a member of the ¡Adelante! Board of Directors.

“We are delighted that the ¡Adelante! U.S Education Leadership Fund has contributed to so many students obtaining their college degrees in Texas and throughout the country,” Ruano said. “It is tremendously gratifying each year to assist these bright, eager students representing the fastest-growing college-age population in this country. They are our future.”

Eighteen Miller Brewing Company National Scholarship Recipients for 2003-2004 and 14 Miller Texas Scholarship Recipients for 2003-2004 attended the awards ceremony and this year’s Leadership Institute, which offered interactive sessions on graduate education, technology, employment, community leadership and professional development issues. ¡Adelante! alumni also addressed their peers.

¡Adelante! scholars from Texas represented Texas A&M International University, the University of Texas-Pan American, University of Texas-El Paso, University of Texas at Brownsville, St. Mary’s University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University at College Station, University of Houston-Victoria, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, University of the Incarnate Word, University of Texas-Dallas and Our Lady of the Lake University.

¡Adelante! scholars also represented UCLA, Arizona State University, California State University-Los Angeles, Robert Morris College in Illinois, San Francisco State University, St. Thomas University in Florida, University of California-San Diego, University of New Mexico, California State University-Bakersfield and Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York.

The deadline is June 30 for 2004-2005 ¡Adelante! program scholarships. For more information, visit www.adelantefund.org. For more information about HACU, visit www.hacu.net.