ASU hosts fall 2011 Hispanic Convocation

The ASU Office of Public Affairs is inviting the media to attend the fall 2011 Hispanic Convocation ceremony. The ceremony takes place at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 16 at Grady Gammage Auditorium, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe.

The Hispanic Convocation is a tradition established by Arizona State University Hispanic students more than twenty-five years ago, and celebrates the accomplishments of ASU’s Hispanic graduates. This year’s event will include approximately 100 graduates. 

“This convocation is especially significant because it celebrates their academic achievements in a festive, cultural environment shared with family and friends,” said Sandy Ferniza, executive director for Community Development in the Office of Public Affairs. 

Gabriel Serrato has been selected as the fall 2011 Jose Ronstadt Outstanding Undergraduate student award recipient. He is graduating cum laude from ASU’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in Human Communication. While at ASU, Gabriel earned support and recognition for his high academic achievements from organizations like the Hispanic Leadership Forum, The Eloisa Diaz Educational Foundation and The Order of Omega Academic Honorary Society.

Gabriel’s exemplary community leadership includes serving as Vice President for the Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Director of Standards for the Multicultural Greek Council, a youth mentor for the AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute and the ASU Obama Scholars program and an Academic Success Leader for ASU’s Academic Support Services.  Gabriel has volunteered many hours with groups like Sparky’s Welcome Team, Devils in Disguise, St. Mary’s Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children and UMOM New Day Center.

ASU enrolled just over 72,000 students across its four campuses at the beginning of the fall 2011 semester. Of that total, 12,238 were Hispanic undergraduates and graduate students. The 2010-2011 student body also included more than 350 National Hispanic Scholars. Their achievements are supported by more than 1,300 Hispanic faculty and staff.