CSUSB Hosts Annual Latino Grad Recognition with Highest Number of Participants

SAN BERNARDINO >> The Association of Latino Faculty, Staff and Students at California State University, San Bernardino held its annual Latino Graduate Recognition Ceremony at Coussoulis Arena with the highest number of participants it has ever had. More than 300 graduates participated in the event. “We come together at this time to celebrate graduating students’ personal and academic achievements in the spirit and traditions of our beautiful Latino cultures, as well as to establish an institutionally-acknowledged cultural space, highlighting cultura, comunidad and familia (culture, community, and family),” said Patricia Aguilera, Latino grad chair. The cultural entertainment began at 9 a.m. and the ceremony began at 10 a.m. Ballet Folkorico Cultural, Teocalli Tepeyollotl Cultural Dance Group, and Mariachi Generacion performed. U.S. Air Force Capt. (Ret.) Jesus Acuna-Perez and West Covina ROTC presented the colors. CSUSB student, Isabel Manookia, performed the National Anthem. Father Francisco Gomez offered the invocation. Ted Alejandre, San Bernardino County superintendent of schools and a CSUSB graduate himself, was the keynote speaker. Alfredo Barcenas was the student keynote speaker. He is the former Associated Students Incorporated president and graduated this year. The ALFSS Latino Graduation Recognition Ceremony does not replace the university commencement ceremony; graduates were encouraged to attend both. Established in 1985, ALFSS is a non-profit organization committed to serving a diverse community. ALFFS encourages the involvement of students, staff, faculty and administrators of the university community on issues pertinent to Latinos. For more information about ALFSS, contact Patricia Aguilera by email paguiler@csusb.edu.