News (Noticias) for Education

The Stanford University School of Medicine is second on the annual top 10 list of best medical schools for Hispanic students in rankings compiled by Hispanic Business magazine.

This is the fourth year in a row that Stanford has ranked either first or second since the magazine began including medical schools among its university rankings in 2005. The 2008 list is published in the September issue of the magazine.

“Stanford had very high marks in all categories, from reputation to retention to enrollment and faculty,” said Michael Caplinger, research supervisor for the company that publishes the magazine. “The school not only already has a good representation of Hispanic students, it is making an effort to keep them and attract more.”

Stanford has a 40-year history of working toward achieving and maintaining diversity, said Fernando Mendoza, MD, professor and chief of the division of general pediatrics and associate dean of minority advising and programs.

“Recognition of success in the area of diversity by Hispanic Business magazine is important to the school,” Mendoza said. “It demonstrates that, as judged by others, we are succeeding.”

Hispanic Business publishes top 10 listings of “Best Schools for Hispanics” at universities across the nation in the fields of business, engineering, law and medicine. The rankings take into account each school’s Hispanic enrollment figures, number of Hispanic faculty, student services and retention rates. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas topped the list among medical schools this year.

The Stanford School of Medicine’s Hispanic student population has consistently been about 15 percent since the rankings began in 2005. During the 2007 academic year, 15 percent of the school’s student body was Hispanic, 69 out of a total of 472 students. This year, nine of the entering new medical students are Hispanic out of a class of 86.

“Those of us recruiting medical students in California are still way behind in the number of Hispanic medical students needed to reflect statewide percentages,” Mendoza said. California’s Hispanic population is the largest of any state in the nation, about 36 percent of the total state population.

“California is a place of great diversity,” Mendoza said. “If we’re going to provide efficient, effective care, we have to have a diverse medical school class. We have to be more culturally sensitive and aware in California.”

The medical school launched a concerted effort to increase diversity in 1969, Mendoza said. In 1992, these efforts were further institutionalized with the creation of the Center of Excellence in Diversity, which developed programs for the recruitment, retention and career and leadership development of minority faculty. In 2005, the school created the Office for Diversity and Leadership to further advance these efforts.

Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical education and patient care at its three institutions — Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. For more information, please visit the Web site of the medical center’s Office of Communication & Public Affairs at

Five extraordinary Latinos will be inducted into the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Alumni Hall of Fame at its seventh annual gala September 17, 2008 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. They will join a select group of Latino professionals who have been recognized for their personal achievements, contributions and service to America, including former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza and Time Warner Vice President Lisa Quiroz.

This year’s inductees include an educator whose work goes beyond the classroom; a leader in education, community involvement and philanthropy; a Cuban immigrant who became President & CEO of a leading telecommunications company; a recognized researcher in drug safety; and an acclaimed pianist who performs and composes Latin Classical music.

HSF, the nation’s preeminent organization supporting Latino higher education, aims to inspire future generations of Latino college graduates by honoring Latinos who have excelled in their fields. The HSF Alumni Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to honor Hispanics who demonstrate the power of higher education and to highlight how attaining a college degree can change individual lives and society as a whole for the better. The honorees’ lifetime challenges and subsequent accomplishments illustrate the possibilities unleashed through higher education and personify the mission and values of HSF.

Each year, HSF selects four outstanding HSF alumni who were aided by an HSF scholarship while in college. A fifth individual, while not a former HSF Scholar, is selected for his or her success and excellence. Awards are given in five categories (translated from Spanish): The Optimist, The Humanitarian, The Victor, The Motivator, and The Rising Star. “

McDonald’s announced today it is working with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) for the second consecutive year to conduct a series of workshops designed to help encourage greater Hispanic college enrollment. The free workshops will provide parents and students with extensive information regarding the college application process, including financial aid and how to apply for scholarships.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: www.prnewswire.com/mnr/mcdonalds/34751/

“We understand how challenging the college application process can be and we want students and parents to know we are here to help,” said Cristina Vilella, Director of Marketing, McDonald’s USA. “These workshops offer the necessary tools and information needed to make that college dream a reality, and it is also a great way for students and their parents to become aware of all the available resources out there for them, such as the RMHC(R)/HACER(R) Scholarship Program that McDonald’s created and supports.”

The workshop series dates and locations are:
– September 6, 2008: Firebaugh High School, Lynwood, CA
– September 18, 2008: Campbell High School, Smyrna, GA
– September 18, 2008: Gateway High School, Aurora, CO
– October 16, 2008: Phoenix Union High School District, Phoenix, AZ
– October 18, 2008: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
– October 29, 2008: Arsenal Technical High School, Indianapolis, IN
– November 8, 2008: Valencia Community West Campus, Orlando, FL
– November 15, 2008: National Hispanic University, San Jose, CA
– November 18, 2008: Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, TX
– November 22, 2008: Benito Juarez High School, Chicago, IL
– November TBD: TBD, Boston, MA

“Many of these children will be the first in their families to go to college,” said Frank D. Alvarez, HSF President & CEO. “Our goal is to provide parents and students with the essential tools to help guide them through the college admission process.”
The workshop will introduce students and parents to scholarship programs, such as RMHC/HACER, a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) and its local U.S. chapters. Launched in 1985, RMHC/HACER is one of the largest educational scholarship programs in the country, having provided more than $17.9 million in scholarships to nearly 13,000 students since its inception. In the latest expansion of the program, four RMHC/HACER national scholarships of $100,000 each were awarded to deserving high school graduates this year.
More information regarding RMHC/HACER and the Steps for Success College Workshops(TM) can be found at www.MeEncanta.com.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald’s 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald’s visit www.mcdonalds.com.

About RMHC
Ronald McDonald House Charities(R), a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Through its three core programs, Ronald McDonald House(R), Ronald McDonald Family Room(R), and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile(R) program, RMHC is making a global impact on the most pressing problems facing children today. RMHC and its network of local U.S. Chapters also provide scholarships for high school seniors who want to continue their education. For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities visit www.rmhc.org.

About Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975 as a not-for-profit, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the nation’s preeminent Latino scholarship organization, providing the Latino community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. During the 2006-2007 academic year, HSF awarded nearly 4,200 scholarships exceeding $26.5 million. In its 32-year history, HSF has awarded in excess of 82,000 scholarships worth more than $221 million to Latinos attending nearly 2,000 colleges and universities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information about HSF, please visit: www.hsf.net. “

The connection between the Latino and Asian cultures will be explored and celebrated as Purdue’s Latino Cultural Center recognizes Latino Heritage Month with a series of events.
The theme this year is from the Chinese philosopher Confucius: “Study the past if you would define the future.” The monthlong activities will be highlighted by the center’s annual open house, a historic neighborhood tour in Chicago and a lecture by ethnic studies scholar Ronald Takaki.

“Most people are unaware of the various Asian migrations to Latin America and how it helped to shape the Latino and Latin American cultures,” said Gilberto Corral, program coordinator for the Latino Cultural Center. “We will examine a lot of the Asian influences within the diverse Latino cultures. This celebration combines the efforts of the LCC, various Purdue departments and many different community organizations in planning and sponsoring different events.”

Purdue’s events are part of the national Hispanic Heritage Month, established as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

This year’s celebration will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 12 with an open house at the Latino Cultural Center, 600 N. Russell St. Visitors can interact with Latino and Asian student organizations and enjoy cultural demonstrations. There also will be a university resource tent for students.

Other events, which are free and open to the public, include:

* Sept. 23. 7 p.m. Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, Room 1010. The film “Gaijin: Road to Freedom” will be shown. Based on a true story, this film, directed by Tizuka Yamasaki, tells the story of the struggles Japanese immigrants faced as they moved and settled in Brazil looking for a better life. The film is in its authentic Portuguese and Japanese dialogue with English subtitles.

* Sept. 27. 10 a.m. Latino Cultural Center. The bilingual book club La Polilla Café will discuss Seiichi Higashide ’s memoir “Adios to Tears.” Higashide recounts his arrest in Peru and deportation to the U.S., where he was held for more than two years in an interment camp. He also discusses his efforts to obtain redress for the human rights violations of the Peruvian-Japanese internees.

* Sept. 27. 7 p.m. Matthews Hall, Room 210. Latino Heritage Show. Delta Phi Mu, Purdue’s first Latina-based sorority, will host its 10th annual cultural show. The sorority promotes the essence of Latino and Latina culture.

* Oct. 1. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stewart Center, Room 214. Latino Scholars Forum. The Latino Faculty and Staff Association, along with the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, will host the second annual multidisciplinary forum. Faculty, staff and graduate students will have an opportunity to present their scholarly interests in an academic setting and discuss research with peers to promote scholarly activity in the Latino community.

* Oct. 4. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Historic Neighborhood Tour in Chicago. The center will explore the historic Pilsen neighborhood and the Chinatown district, including Ping Tom Park. Pilsen, once the home of Eastern European and Italian immigrants, is now mostly Latino. Those interested in the tour must register by calling 494-2530 or e-mail: gcorral@purdue.edu.

* Oct. 7. 7 p.m. Fowler Hall. Latino Heritage Month Speaker featuring Ronald Takaki, an award-winning ethnic studies scholar and a retired professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He will discuss multicultural education and how the changing face of the population is affecting education.

* Oct. 9. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Krannert School of Management Drawing Room. Tea with the Latino Cultural Center. Visitors will enjoy traditional teas and cuisine of Asia and Latin America while recognizing faculty and staff for their contributions to Purdue, the cultural center and support to students.

For more information, see the center’s Web site at www.purdue.edu/lcc

The Latino Cultural Center was established in 2003 as Purdue’s first center for Hispanic and Latino culture. The organization is a gathering place where people of similar cultures and backgrounds can come together to share events in the university community.

Writer: Clyde Hughes, ( 765 ) 494-2073, jchughes@purdue.edu

Source: Gilberto Corral, ( 765 ) 494-2530, gcorral@purdue.edu “