HACU announces scholarship programs for the 2003-2004 academic year

     SANTA ROSA--The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities  (HACU) is offering college students an outstanding series of HACU-administered scholarship programs this year, thanks to the generous support of corporate and public-sector sponsors.

     Last year, HACU awarded scholarships to 111 students attending 58 HACU member colleges and universities for the 2002-2003 academic year, with individual awards ranging upwards to $3,000 per year.

     Two of these students were awarded Flores/Leaño Language Scholarships made possible by contributions from HACU and the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG). The scholarships were named for HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores, and for UAG Rector Antonio Leaño Alvarez del Castillo. This program enabled the students to take Spanish language and culture courses at UAG in Summer 2002. The UAG is an International Member of HACU.

     This year's scholarship programs for the 2003-2004 academic year are made possible by contributions from the Bureau of Land Management of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Coors Brewing Company, General Motors and Wal-Mart.

     "We applaud the commitment of this stellar roster of sponsors to diversity and to the higher education success of the nation's youngest and largest ethnic population. Their contributions will make a tremendous impact for our next generation of leaders on campus and in our communities for the 21st century," said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores.

     HACU represents 340 member and partner colleges and universities collectively serving three out of every four of the nation's 1.6 million Hispanic higher education students. Only students attending these HACU member institutions
are eligible for the scholarships. Visit www.hacu.net for a current HACU membership list.

     HACU uses one scholarship application for all its national scholarship programs. The 2003-2004 academic year scholarship applications will be posted in PDF format under the "Student Resources" section of HACU's web site at
www.hacu.net.
Students may apply to the following 2003-2004 scholarship programs using the general HACU scholarship application:
Bureau of Land Management Award:  $3,000

     For full-time undergraduate students with declared majors in natural resources, sciences, or forestry - or their equivalent majors/curricula - degree program. Students must possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and have an interest in natural resources management.
CLASE/Coors Light Academic Success in Education Award:  $1,000

     For full-time undergraduate (freshman or continuing) or graduate students of any major in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Mexico. Students in the U.S. and Puerto Rico must use the scholarship to take for-credit courses at their home institution or to study abroad at a HACU-member institution in Mexico. Students in Mexico can only use the scholarship to take for-credit courses at a U.S. HACU-member institution. Students must possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (or its equivalent).
General Motors Engineering Excellence Award:  $2,000

     For full-time undergraduate or graduate students at 4-year institutions with declared majors in an engineering degree program. Students must possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. Scholarship is renewable based on availability of funds and student's continuing eligibility.

Wal-Mart Achievers Award:  $1,000

     For full-time undergraduate students enrolled in at least their sophomore year, having completed a minimum of one year of full-time study. Students must be declared majors in business administration, general management, retail management - or their equivalent majors/curricula - degree program. Students must possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and preferably, be working while attending school and have an interest in retail management.

     For more information, contact HACU national headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, at (210) 692-3805. Ext. 3214. Or visit www.hacu.net.

Baptized

     SANTA ROSA--Sierra Aspen Villanueva was baptized on January 5^th in Flora Vista.

     She is the daughter of Neil and Melissa Villanueva and was born November 30, 2002 in Farmington.

Maternal grandparents are Richard and Peggy Chavez of Puerto de Luna.