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Annual dinner welcomes parents

Catholic Campus Minister Elena Cardeña translates for President Stephen Morgan at Sunday's Bienvenida Dinner. The Latino Student Forum (LSF) has hosted this event for 11 years and it is a celebration of students' and faculty members' Latino heritage. It also welcomes parents of Latino students to the University. The event included speeches by President Morgan, Assemblyman Tony Cardeñas, dinner, a raffle and dancing. / photo by Jason Cooper
Catholic Campus Minister Elena Cardeña translates for President Stephen Morgan at Sunday’s Bienvenida Dinner. The Latino Student Forum (LSF) has hosted this event for 11 years and it is a celebration of students’ and faculty members’ Latino heritage. It also welcomes parents of Latino students to the University. The event included speeches by President Morgan, Assemblyman Tony Cardeñas, dinner, a raffle and dancing. / photo by Jason Cooper

by Mike Lawson
Staff Writer

The Latino Student Forum (LSF) held the 11th annual Bienvenida Dinner last Sunday to honor the parents of Latino students at the University of La Verne.

Bienvenida is translated to English as “welcome.” The Bienvenida Dinner is designed to welcome Latino parents into the university atmosphere. The theme, “En Celebracion de Nuestras Raíces” means in celebration of our heritage.

Events for the evening included translated speeches by President Stephen Morgan and Assemblyman Tony Cardeñas, dinner, special recognitions made by LSF, dancing and a raffle.

Dr. Morgan’s speech focused on the importance of equality in education. Dr. Morgan talked about the recent changes in the Cal Grant distribution. Dr. Morgan said he was pleased to see the number of students receiving Cal Grants and the rise in the amount of money granted to each student.

Guest speaker Tony Cardeñas spoke about his family and his struggle for success. He told the audience about his parents, “They came to this country to sacrifice their dreams so I could fulfill mine.”

Cardeñas said, “After you have received your degree, take a minute to reflect, and remind yourself that you didn’t get there alone.”

The Bienvenida Dinner was held in the La Verne Community Center to accommodate the number of reserved seats. This was the first year it was held off campus.

“There were 240 reserved spots,” said LSF’s Director of Public Relations, sophomore Erick Vasquez. Less than 180 people usually attend the Bienvenida Dinner. But last year, over 200 students reserved seats, causing the dinner to move from Davenport Dinning Hall to the Old Gym. “We didn’t want to do it in the Old Gym,” said Vasquez, “because the mats are hard to roll out and they aren’t easy to dance on. But, we still wanted a big crowd.”

Most students came with their parents. Sophomore Allison Alastuey brought her mom Judy. Allison said “I am Latino, and I wanted to meet other Latinos on campus.”

Both mother and daughter Alastuey said they had a fun night. Judy said that the speakers were good. “Cardeñas had a powerful and true message,” she said. “He talked about how difficult it is to be poor and succeed. But he also shows it’s possible.”

“Next year we are going to bring the rest of the family,” said Allison.

The event’s budget of $3,000 has been funded partially by the Associated Student Federation (ASF) Forum, the School of Business and Global Studies, the President’s Office, ULV Graphics, the Office of Student Affairs and other departments.

After dessert, the room was transformed. The lights were turned down and the music was turned up. The dance took place from 7-10 p.m.

“The night was successful” said Vice President of LSF junior Norma Cruz, “everything went as planned.”

Mike Lawson
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Jason Cooper, Staff Photographer
Jason Cooper
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