“Si Se puede!” (Yes, it can be done!)
Latino Awards Luncheon Recognizes Latinos on Campus

By Cheryl D’Mello

Roberto Chavez (ODAMA) and keynote speaker Lorraine Vega, flanked by awardees Claudia Blaha (left), Delia Galvan and Jamie Vega.

What do Rita Hayworth, Raquel Welch, Jimmy Smits and Anthony Quinn have in common with CEO of McDonalds, Ralph Alvarez or the current head of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez? They are all Latino.

Over 140 Cleveland State University faculty, staff, students, and prominent Latino community leaders gathered at the Fenn Tower Third Floor Ballroom on Thursday Oct 2, 2008 for the 19th Annual Hispanic Awareness Month Latino Awards Luncheon, sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (ODAMA). The theme, “Reflections: Latino Identities in the U.S”, was reinforced throughout the celebration.

All were greeted by lilting Latin American folk music played by CSU student, Patricia Merrado, Felipe Mercado and Graciela Emerson on traditional instruments including the charango, cuatro, claves, and keuna. Lunch was catered by Lelolai Bakery& Café from West 25th Street in Cleveland and included arroz con gandules (rice and beans), cerdo asado (pork), chicken empanadas, pollo (chicken) seasoned Spanish style, and cheese and vanilla flan.

Njeri Nuru-Holm, Ph.D., Vice President, Institutional Diversity warmly welcomed all to this year’s celebration and Donna Whyte, Ph.D. Director, Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs kept the program moving smoothly as Mistress of Ceremonies.

Lorraine Vega, Senior Vice President, Senior Program Officer, Key Foundation, KeyBank gave an enlightening keynote presentation which demonstrated the historic and current realization of Latino accomplishment and that “¡Si se puede!” (Yes, it can be done!). Ms. Vega said: “As Latinos, we tend to tie our identities to our heritage, place of nativity and culture. The media has been slow to align its depictions with reality.” Speaking of the growing Latino market, she said, “In 2000, about one in eight people living in the U.S. was Hispanic, by 2012 that will be one in six. Currently, we are approximately 15% of the national population and in places like Cuyahoga County, the Latino population grew while the rest of the population declined…Each of us should tell the story about our culture and proactively give voice to the Latino effort.”

She stressed that: “By knowing our strengths and expertise we can help create the Latino image… It is each of our responsibility to create a positive image for ourselves and our children who rely so heavily on images created in the media and on the net. I ask non-Latinos to help Latinos create the image.”

Ms. Vega also spoke of the many accomplishments of Latino leaders on the national and local level; from those in the corporate world to others in the arts and entertainment business. “We have gone from a sombrero wearing siesta man and a junkie on the streets of New York to dancing with the stars, being a desperate housewife, serving as TV judges, and two of my personal favorites: Latinos serving as president of the United States of America on a prime time award winning TV show, and reality, which is Latinos serving as CEOs of Fortune 500 corporations! While there is still much ground to cover, Cesar Chavez was right “¡Si se puede!”” (Yes, it can be done!)

She applauded Jamie Vega, Senior Admissions Recruiter at CSU, “I congratulate Jamie Vega who lifts our community every day through her work in bringing educational opportunity to our students - serving as a role model to her community and taking the game to higher levels.”

Next on the agenda were awards and recognition. The first award, Latino Faculty and Staff Association (LFSA) Sister Alicia Alvarado Award was presented by Lourdes Dorsey, sister of Sr. Alicia Alvarado and Antonio Medina-Rivera, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Spanish, and Director, Spanish M.A. Program to Jamie Vega, Senior Admissions Recruiter at CSU in recognition of her commitment and dedication to the recruitment, retention, and mentorship of students and overall enrichment of the Latino community and CSU.

Jamie Vega was visibly surprised and moved when she was also presented the Latinos Unidos Award by Dariana Delgado, President of Latinos Unidos, the Latino student organization at CSU, in recognition of her exemplary dedication and outstanding contribution to the Hispanic community and students at CSU. Jamie is also the co-advisor of Latinos Unidos at CSU.

The LFSA Student Leader Award was presented to Ms. Claudia Blaha by Stephen Gingerich, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Spanish, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to education and demonstrated leadership while completing her degree in Spanish at CSU. Blaha, who is involved in the community, is credited with starting the Le Mesa conversation group at CSU.

The Madrina Award was presented to Delia Galvan, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Modern Languages Department by Roberto Chavez, Chair of the Hispanic Awareness Month Committee and Coordinator of Multicultural Programs and Retention, Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. Dr. Galvan was recognized for her service to the Latino community and her commitment to education.

The awardees were commended by all on their service, contribution, and commitment to the CSU community and the larger Cleveland community.

Article originally appeared in The Cauldron Newspaper on October 20, 2008.