CSUF President to Address
Senate Hispanic Leadership Summit
Summit a gathering of Hispanic and government
leaders to discuss economic development, education, job creation,
immigration reform and health care.
September 28, 2005 :: No. 32
Cal State Fullerton President Milton
A. Gordon is scheduled today (Sept. 28) to address the Senate
Hispanic Leadership Summit, chaired by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
(R-Texas), at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Hotel.
Gordon is serving as a panelist during the
9:20-10:30 a.m. session on “Education: Closing the Achievement
Gap.”
Antonio R. Flores, president and CEO of the
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, tapped
Gordon for the two-day summit — a gathering of Hispanic
and government leaders for discussions on economic development,
education, job creation, immigration reform and health care.
Gordon’s participation comes on the heels
of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce recognizing
Cal State Fullerton with its Chair’s Award for the university’s
superior record of awarding degrees to Hispanic students.
Cal State Fullerton leads California and is
fifth in the nation in the number of bachelor’s degrees
awarded to Hispanics, according to Hispanic Outlook in Higher
Education, which reported in May on statistics collected by
the U.S. Department of Education.
Hispanics constitute one-fourth of Cal State
Fullerton’s student population, which numbers more than
35,000 and draws from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San
Bernardino and San Diego counties. CSUF is a federally designated
Hispanic-Serving Institution.
In September, Gordon accepted the California
Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Chair’s Award from Melinda
Guzman Moore, the organization’s outgoing chair. She
is also a CSU Trustee and partner in the law firm of Goldsberry
Freeman Guzman & Ditora, LLP.
“Education plays such a significant role
in the state’s economic and social development,”
said Moore. “The award to CSUF is for all of its successes
in graduating Latino students with undergraduate degrees.
“I’ve been very impressed with
the campus. It is full of diversity in all areas; it has what
I would refer to as principles of community that start with
the leadership and permeate the campus,” she added.
“It was no surprise to me that through Dr. Gordon’s
leadership, CSUF is No 1. in the state of California. . .
. This is a significant milestone both for the community and
the state.”
Gordon said he was gratified by the CHCC award
for its significance in supporting the mission of the chamber
and by the positive reaction of those gathered for its presentation
at the group’s 26th annual statewide convention.
“It’s about preparing those who are going to be
able to take their place,” said Gordon, noting that
the newly elected chair of the CHCC Board of Directors is
a Cal State Fullerton graduate with a bachelor’s degree
in business administration.
At the convention, the mantle was passed from
Guzman Moore to Henry Mendoza, managing partner of the accounting
firm of Mendoza Berger & Co. LLP of Irvine.
“Clearly, we are making a mark on the
economic development of the state of California with the success
of our alumni,” said Don Castro, special assistant to
Gordon and director of a U.S. Department of Education-funded
effort at CSUF to enhance programs for Hispanic students.
Silas Abrego, associate vice president for
student affairs at CSUF, observed that the standing ovation
for the university among Hispanic business leaders was indicative
of an organization whose members “so much value education.”
Media Contact: |
Paula Selleck, Public Affairs, 657-278-2414 or pselleck@fullerton.edu |
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