Indiana University Latino Alumni Association Celebrates 10th Anniversary

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- This year the Indiana University Latino Alumni Association (IULAA) celebrates 10 years of supporting Latino alumni and undergraduates on all IU campuses.

Established in 2000 by Georgia Burgeño, formerly of the IU Bloomington Office of Multicultural Affairs, the IULAA sponsors programming that promotes interaction between IU, the IU Alumni Association and the Latino alumni community.

Kicking off a series of events to mark this decade milestone is a reception, open to the public, at Pepe's Mexican Restaurant, 8011 Broadway, in Merrillville, Ind., Thursday (April 15). The cost of $5 includes hors d'oeuvres, music and cake. A cash bar will be available. Attendees may pay at the door, but should RSVP with Gavin Mariano at 219-938-2707 or Raul Sanchez at 219-805-8996.

"The Latino Alumni Association has given Latino graduates and former students from all campuses a way to remain a part of the IU family, the Latino community and to contribute to the success of future Latino graduates," says Mariano, current president of IULAA. "We aim to give former students a positive and active alumni experience, along with a number of benefits when they join the IULAA."

In 2003, the IULAA established the Indiana University Latino Alumni Association Scholarship. Since 2006, the group has awarded 11 undergraduate scholarships totaling $9,000.

"The scholarship recognizes students who are prepared academically, involved in their communities, exhibit leadership qualities benefiting the Latino community, and work to foster an appreciation of the Latino experience in the United States," says Rick Montelongo, a member of the IULAA scholarship committee. "Receiving the scholarship signifies outstanding contributions in these areas."

The IULAA is sponsoring the 2010 Mezcla Little 500 bike team, having provided the team's jerseys, and also sponsored the 2009 Hispanic Organization Promoting Excellence (HOPE) Youth Leadership Academy trip to IU Bloomington. The association has participated in the Indiana Latino/a Student Leadership Conference; the IU Bloomington Latino graduate ceremony, held each year after commencement to honor new graduates and officially welcome them into the alumni family; IU Bloomington Senior Salute; the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute and other events.

Future events to celebrate the IULAA's 10-year anniversary are being planned across Indiana, including a late July fundraiser in Indianapolis and a fall event in Bloomington. Information will be posted on the IULAA's Web site,http://alumni.indiana.edu/latinoaa/, as it becomes available.

The Indiana University Latino Alumni Association is an affiliate group of the IU Alumni Association, which is dedicated to serving the university and its diverse alumni, students and friends. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, serving more than 530,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, nonmember alumni, and the university. For information, visit www.alumni.indiana.edu or call 800-824-3044