César E. Chávez Commemorative Luncheon Honors Alumni, Supports Students

“Through the Cesar E. Chavez scholarships and luncheon, we help to draw out the goodness and best out of our students. We empower their growth and future aspirations.”

Held annually, the San Diego State University César E. Chávez Commemorative Luncheon honors members of the SDSU community who exemplify the core values of its namesake—a champion of nonviolent social change.

The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 6 in Montezuma Hall in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

This year, SDSU alumna and former CEO and President of Casa Familiar Andrea Skorepa has been named the recipient of the César Chávez Lifetime Service Award.

A San Ysidro native, Skorepa is a community activist and is credited with greatly enhancing the vision, reach and impact of Casa Familiar.

Skorepa served nearly four decades at the helm of the nonprofit, community-based Casa Familiar, which provides education, housing, arts and culture programming. Her dedicated leadership grew Casa Familiar from nine employees into a thriving institution.

Skorepa also helped establish Casa Azteca, a success program designed for commuter students at SDSU, with focuses on helping both parents and students transition into a dynamic university environment. The program was put together through a partnership between SDSU and Casa Familiar in 2010. Since then, Casa Azteca has provided essential programs and services aiding in the recruitment, retention and success of commuter students.

“Dr. Andrea Skorepa’s belief in the power of education to lift people out of poverty has been an inspiration to all those who surround her,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Rivera. “Through her persistence, dedication, and hard work, she has united diverse interest groups for the benefits of our most underserved communities. She is the embodiment of Cesar Chavez’s core values, and an example for each of us to follow.”

In recognition of Skorepa’s achievements as a human rights activist, community advocate and champion of higher education, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and SDSU conferred upon her the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in May 2017.

In addition to honoring Skorepa, this year’s recipients of SDSU Cesar E. Chávez Scholarship will be announced during the event. The luncheon is an important generator of scholarship funds for current SDSU students, contributing to the SDSU’s capacity to generate and sustain donor-supported funding that strategically supports the institution's vision. A fundraising effort to generate scholarship dollars in support of SDSU students is also ongoing.

“The SDSU community has been very gracious in supporting the event and helping to expand scholarships offered to our students,” said Rosa Elena Moreno, chair of the SDSU César Chávez Committee. “Our scholarship recipients are living through one of Chávez’s most important teachings: that the ultimate outcome of one’s own education is a life dedicated to supporting the empowerment of communities and global citizenship.”  

Chavez’s work led directly to improved compensation and working conditions for farmworkers in California. The Latino leader organized tens of thousands of people toward improving the quality of life and conditions for farm workers of diverse backgrounds.

“When we think of the work of Cesar E. Chavez, education was at the heart,” said Dan Montoya, assistant vice president for SDSU Alumni. “Through the Cesar E. Chavez scholarships and luncheon, we help to draw out the goodness and best out of our students. We empower their growth and future aspirations. We continue the legacy of César E. Chávez.”

Jarabe Mexicano, an ensemble composed of SDSU’s School of Music and Dance students and alumni, will perform during the luncheon, which will include a silent auction. Along with proceeds from the table sponsorships and also scholarship donations, the silent audition will support the SDSU César E. Chávez Commemorative Scholarships fund for deserving SDSU students.

For more information, contact SDSU César Chávez Committee chair Rosa Elena Moreno at [email protected] or 619-594-4378 or contact Claudia Martinez at [email protected] or 619-594-4721.