Achiever Stories

ASU UB alum, Jose Ronstadt, honored at convocation  

Besides celebrating the accomplishments of 208 graduates, this year’s ceremony served as a backdrop to honor Telemundo anchor Jose Ronstadt and ASU Provost Milton Glick, for their commitment and support, over the years to ASU’s Hispanic Convocation.

The event included remarks by Arizona Board of Regents President Christina Palacios and Congressman Ed Pastor who announced the naming of the Outstanding Undergraduate Award after Telemundo Los Angeles anchor, Jose Ronstadt.
Since its inception in 1984, Ronstadt served as the MC of Hispanic Convocation for 22 consecutive years. He is also an ASU double alum (BA Education, ’72 and MA Spanish, ’77) and Upward Bound alum.

Ronstadt also delivered the ceremony’s keynote address. His speech was an eloquent mixture of his experiences as a school dropout who found his way to a professional career thanks to the guidance of his mother and caring mentors, as well as a passionate request for graduates to become stewards of their community.
Syleste Rodriguez from NBC-TV Channel 12 and Francisco Romero from Telemundo KDRX-TV Channel 48.
Among the graduates was Carlos Antonio Pastor, son of Leonor “Noni” Pastor and nephew of Congressman Ed Pastor.

The Convocation included a standing ovation for Mr. Albert L. Quihuis, 85 years of age, who received a BA in Business administration and will be the last member of the Class of 1951. Mr. Quihuis left high school to fight in WW II.  After his dishonorable discharge he enrolled at ASU on the G.I. Bill. With just a few credits left to complete his degree he dropped out to take care of his family.  More than 50 years later, ASU granted his degree based on his life experiences and contributions to the city of Tempe.  The occasion was even more momentous as he accompanied his grandson, Richard Michael Quihuis-Bell, who also received a BA in Business Administration.
Felicidades A Todos!

Permission to reprint from ASU Community Outreach Office.

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Read about other achievers Ned Doffoney, Heather Morrison, Blanca Escobar, Christopher Harrison, Wendy Sanchez, Hazel Amina, Sunshine Lawson, Jennifer Dyke, Laura Ochoa, and Michael Christiansen.

If you have a story about a participant or staff achiever, send it to Dave Ferguson. The person does not have to be nominated for the WESTOP Achievers Award. He or she is a person, in your eyes, whose story is inspirational. Afterall, if we don't tell the stories of our participants and staff, who will?

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