UC San Diego Honors
National Hispanic Leaders
at April 12 Fiesta De Las Estrellas Event
Annual scholarship benefit applauds alumni excellence, and celebrates the future generation of Hispanic leaders who are UCSD scholarship recipients.

April 6, 2007

By Jade Berggren

Across the nation, eight Hispanic leaders—all alumni of the University of California, San Diego—are making a difference in fields ranging from healthcare and higher education to tourism and philanthropy.  These individuals, who are also working to nurture and advance their own communities, will gather on April 12, 2007 in San Diego for a celebration to honor their outstanding accomplishments at the university’s annual Hispanic scholarship benefit, Fiesta de las Estrellas. 

Created a decade ago by the UCSD Hispanic Scholarship Council to raise scholarship funds for students, Fiesta de las Estrellas honors the achievements of Estrellas—leaders who are setting excellent examples for young Hispanic men and women. 

“We congratulate the Fiesta de las Estrellas alumni stars for their remarkable contributions to community and business,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox.  “We are also very proud of our UCSD scholarship recipients who have benefited from this valuable program that supports young Hispanic men and women of great promise.”

Beginning their pathways to success at UC San Diego, the 2007 Fiesta de las Estrellas honorees include:

• Javier Benito, BA ’85, MBA
  Executive Vice President and CMO, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide
• Jeanette Cisneros, BA ’79, MD ’84
  Clinic Medical Director, Marina Public Health Clinic
• Adolfo Correa, MS ’70, MD ’74, MPH, PhD
  Medical Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Edward J. De La Rosa, BA ’79, MBA
  Founder and President, E.J. De La Rosa & Co., Inc.; De La Rosa & Co. Charitable Campaign
• Eduardo Rallo, BA ’89, MBA
  Founder, Pacific Community Ventures; Board Member, UCSD Alumni Association
• Gregory Talavera, BA ’78, MD, MPH
  Medical Director, San Ysidro Health Center; Clinical Instructor, UCSD School of Medicine
• Virginia (Ginny) Velasquez, BA ’89
  CEO and Founder, TeamPersona
• Juanita Perez Williams, BA ’86, JD
  Director, Office of Judicial Affairs, Syracuse University

During the evening, students who have benefited from the UCSD Hispanic Scholarship Council’s program will also participate in the Estrellas celebration and will share their impressive academic achievement and future plans.

“This year, Fiesta de las Estrellas recognizes outstanding UC San Diego alumni,” said UCSD Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Joseph Watson.  “These Estrellas provide an excellent example of how UCSD students have the opportunity and capabilities to become the next generation of leading professionals.”

Alumni honoree Edward De La Rosa believes that it is critical for the community to foster leaders by providing young Hispanic men and women with the ability to receive an exceptional education.  “The key focus of this special evening should be to illustrate to students that they can control their own destinies,” he said.  “Those armed with drive, ambition and an outstanding academic record will no doubt be the leaders of tomorrow.”

In the last decade, Fiesta de las Estrellas has raised more than $700,000 to provide undergraduate multi-year scholarships, helping 54 deserving students to a more promising future. 

Sponsors for the 2007 Fiesta de las Estrellas program include The Jack in the Box Foundation, Union Bank of California, Renita Greenberg, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Darden Restaurants, Alan Swinney (’89), 10News/Azteca America San Diego, BAE Systems, Cox Communications, Genentech, HSBC, Pérez & Wilson LLP, QUALCOMM, San Ysidro Health Center, Sempra Energy and Syracuse University.  Additional sponsors include Bank of America, CDM, College Loan Corporation, Community Health Group, Dudek and Associates, Gen-Probe, The Leyva Family, The Paniagua Family, Port of San Diego, San Diego County Water Authority, San Diego State University, UCSD Chancellor’s Office, UCSD School of Medicine, UCSD Student Affairs, Wachovia Education Finance, and Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Watson.  Other contributors include Barbara Saltman, Sal and Gail Saucedo, Annabelle (’84) and Robert (’86) Villarreal, UCSD Alumni Association and UCSD Student Affairs Community Relations. In kind sponsors include Aeromexico, Southwest Airlines, Anheuser-Busch and Young’s Market Company.

The celebration will begin at 5:00 p.m. at The Corky McMillin Companies Event Center, NTC Promenade at Liberty Station.  Those interested in attending the 10th Annual Fiesta de las Estrellas event and/or would like to support UCSD’s Hispanic Scholarship Council, should contact the UCSD Student Affairs Development Office at (858) 822-1537.  Additional details on the event can be found at www.ucsdfiesta.ucsd.edu.  Funds raised by Fiesta de las Estrellas contribute to the $1 billion fundraising goal of The Campaign for UCSD: Imagine What’s Next.

 

Media Contact: Jade Berggren, 858-822-5309