Victor Ruiz, Dr. Jorge E. Gatica and Astrid Hernandez Honored at Latino Awards Recognition Luncheon
 
CLEVELAND – Three outstanding members of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±â€™s Latino community were honored at the 2013 Latino Awards Recognition Luncheon on October 17 in the Student Center Ballroom, as part of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±â€™s celebration of the 23rd annual Hispanic Awareness Month.
 
Victor Ruiz won the Sister Alicia Alvarado Award. Mr. Ruiz is executive director of Esperanza, Northeast Ohio’s only organization solely dedicated to the educational needs of the Hispanic community. Mr. Ruiz has a master’s degree in counseling from ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±.
 
Dr. Jorge E. Gatica of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±â€™s Fenn College of Engineering won the Padrino Award. Dr. Gatica is a mentor for undergraduate minority students and high-school students. He also serves as a ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±-Esperazna liaison and works closely with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
 
Astrid Hernandez won the Student Leader Award. Ms. Gonzalez graduated summa cum laude from ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± in Spring 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and the Psi Chi International Honor Society. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in community health at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±.
 
ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± President Ronald M. Berkman welcomed guests to the luncheon, which was emceed by ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement Coordinator Roberto E. Chavez. ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± alumnus Jose C. Feliciano, a partner at BakerHostetler, delivered the keynote address.