Editor's note: Geneva Escobedo, founding president of the Hispanic Business Alumni, shares how the chapter got its start, in her own words.
The founding of Arizona State University’s Hispanic Business Alumni began in 1982 with a dedicated and passionate group of graduates who were committed to raising scholarship funds for current and future Hispanic students and to promoting higher education throughout our communities.
Among the first group of officers were Geneva Escobedo, president; Marco Antonio Posada, vice president; Susana Posada, secretary; and Alberto Chamberlain, treasurer. We recruited several Hispanic business alumni to support our efforts. Those individuals included Ed Celaya, Monica Limon-Wynn, David Carrera, John Camargo, Victor Ortiz, Deanna Carrera, John Ramirez, Ron Piceno, Roger Silva and others.
Fundraising activities included an annual “Call-a-thon” organized with the ASU Alumni Association. Hispanic Business Alumni provided volunteers, and the ASU Alumni Association provided the phone banks at their offices. We called as many ASU Hispanic business graduates as possible from lists provided by the Alumni Association. Phone calls took place on weekday evenings. The ASU Alumni Association assisted us in sending written requests for contributions to individuals on their donor lists. We were able to award our first scholarship to Deanna Carrera.
The fundraising activities that garnered incredible support from alumni, students and the Hispanic community were ASU football tailgate parties at Tempe Beach Park. Food, music and raffles were part of the camaraderie and ASU spirit that was experienced. We had incredible participation from the Hispanic Business Students Association and MEChA. Alberto Chamberlain helped organize bus trips to the rival ASU/University of Arizona football games in Tucson. Alberto negotiated hotel prices and a spot to hold our tailgate party. During these trips we were proud to be Sun Devils and to support students in achieving a college degree.
Kudos go to Loui Olivas and Luis Aranda, who advised the Hispanic Business Students Association and supported all the activities of the ASU Hispanic Business Alumni Association. Many of the past presidents of the Hispanic Business Students Association became board members and officers of the ASU Hispanic Business Alumni Association.
The ASU Hispanic Business Alumni Association has come a long way in 40 years, and many community leaders have emerged as a result.
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