Record amount will allow 273 students to attend universities across the country
Dallas–The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will award 273 deserving students more than $4.7 million in college scholarships at its 29th Annual Stars on the Rise Scholarship Banquet.
The GDHCC and the GDHCC Institute for Leadership and Business Education will celebrate their 29th year of recognizing academic excellence through its Stars on the Rise scholarship program at 6:30 p.m., June 15, at the Dallas Sheraton Hotel, 400 N. Olive Street. The 2012 Stars on the Rise Scholarship Program is sponsored by The University of Texas at Arlington, the Dallas County Community College District, the University of North Texas–Dallas, and Texas A&M University–Commerce, Texas Instruments and DFW International Airport.Among the 273 entering freshmen and continuing college students who will receive scholarships during the June 15 banquet are several valedictorians and salutatorians, National Merit Scholar finalists and semi-finalists, and National Hispanic Scholars. These students will receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $180,000.
“We are all extremely proud of the accomplishments of these outstanding scholars and grateful for the generous contributions that will make it possible for them to pursue their dreams of a college education,” said Minerva Rodriguez, chair of the 2012 Stars on the Rise Banquet. “Education provides you with the opportunity of choice. Our Stars on the Rise scholars will have the ability to effect change by designing their own path, said Michele Bobadilla, chair of the 2012 Stars on the Rise Scholarship Program. “Our scholars’ talents and potential will be realized through the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to the Stars on the Rise Scholarship Initiative. “
This year’s record number of scholarship awards was made possible through the University Crossroads partners, corporate donors, professional associations, and community leaders. The scholarships, which reward academic excellence, align with the chamber’s commitment to education by creating a legacy of excellence in our community by providing opportunities through higher education, said Rick Ortiz, President and CEO of the GDHCC. “The mission of the GDHCC is to develop Hispanic businesses and to support the advancement, education and economic growth of the Hispanic business community. We cannot do that if we don’t have an educated workforce prepared to lead these businesses and meet the challenges of a global marketplace,” Ortiz said, “Our efforts to make Stars on the Rise successful and provide these future leaders with the opportunity to further their education goes to the heart of the chamber’s mission.”
Students receiving the scholarships will attend colleges and universities throughout the country, including Stanford University, Iowa State University, University of Notre Dame, Emory University, University of Arizona, Stanford University, Columbia, University of Oklahoma, Belmont University, The University of Texas System Schools, Texas A&M University System Schools, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman’s University, Northwood University, Dallas Baptist University, St. Edward’s University, Baylor University, Rice University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Dallas Christian College, the University of North Texas System Schools, Southern Methodist University, Midwestern State University, and the Dallas County Community College District, among others.
“We are grateful for the support our corporate sponsors continue to provide for this worthwhile program,” said Angel Reyes, chairman of the board of the GDHCC. “By providing scholarships to these promising students and helping them realize their dreams, we are truly making our community better and preparing the men and women who will lead our city to prosperity in the next decades.”
University Crossroads Partners, Corporate and community donors for Stars on the Rise include:
Texas A&M-Commerce, The University of Texas at Arlington, University of North Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas, Regional Hispanic Contractors, Southern Methodist University, Northwood University, University of Oklahoma, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman’s University, Kroger, Verizon, FedEx Office, Texas Instruments, Midwestern State University, ¡Adelante!, The Aaron and Lupe Liverpool Foundation, The University of Texas of Dallas, Dallas Christian College among others.
