Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe congratulated 40 Latino and Hispanic scholarship recipients during the League of United Latin American Citizens’ annual scholarship banquet held Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Governor’s Mansion.

The students are attending higher education institutions around the state, including UALR, which had a record number of 19 Latino/Hispanic students enrolled this academic year, according to LULAC State Director Dr. Trevino-Richard.

Trevino-Richard, a professor in the UALR Department of Sociology and Anthropology, has been active in the organization for more than 20 years.

He and LULAC President Michel Liederman greeted each scholarship recipient with certificates and encouraged each to share how the stipend will further his or her education.

LULAC’s UALR Council co-hosted the event with LULAC Council 750. Organizers say more than $500,000 has been given to more than 400 Arkansas students since its establishment in 1975.

The annual event helps raise funds for future scholarships and encourages membership in the LULAC organization, which has made education for Latinos its top priority since its 1929 founding.

Following Beebe’s keynote address, LULAC’s Regional Director Baldomero Garza, delivered a motivational talk to the scholarship recipients, telling them not to settle and to “dream big, dream far, dream wide.”

Several community leaders also received awards for their efforts on behalf of the Latino community, including UALR’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dr. Zulma Toro-Ramos and Dean of Students Darryl McGee.

As the largest advocacy group in the U.S., LULAC offers scholarships for Latino students at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels through its National Educational Service Centers.

Photo caption (top): Gov. Mike Beebe poses with the 2013 LULAC Scholarship recipients.

Photo caption: Dr. Zulma Toro-Ramos with LULAC Scholarship recipient Elsie Reyes.