About Hispanic Celebration

The ASU Hispanic Celebration is a signature event that honors the accomplishments and commitment of ASU Hispanic students pursuing higher education.

The first celebration was held on May 12, 1984, in the Town of Guadalupe and honored 49 participants. Greg Acedo, with the Hispanic Business Students Association, and David Lopez, representing MEChA, served as student co-chairs of the first-ever celebration and lead the way for student groups such as the Hispanic Education Council, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, La Raza Law Students and Minority Pre-Med students to rally together and a take a grassroots effort that today has become a significant part of ASU’s Hispanic traditions and commencement celebrations. Community leaders, Congressman Ed Pastor, at that time County Supervisor Dr. Cecilia Esquer, Danny Ortega, Jose Ronstadt, and Jerry Pastor stepped up to support these students and make their vision a reality.

By 2007, the celebration had introduced the Congressman Ed Pastor Outstanding Graduate Student Award and the Jose Ronstadt Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award to recognize the extraordinary achievements of two ASU graduates. Pastor and Ronstadt were instrumental in their support and involvement with the inception of the first Hispanic Celebration.

Hispanic Celebration is open to any ASU graduating student (including undergraduate, graduate and doctoral candidates) completing a degree in the fall or spring term. This special interest celebration allows each student to personally thank those who supported them throughout their academic endeavors.

With each succeeding year, this celebration continues to generate support and enthusiasm. Our goal is the legacy of higher education inspired by the ASU Hispanic Celebration, serving as a stepping-stone for generations of ASU graduates to come.