Hispanic Scholarship Fund Celebrates 40 Years of Supporting Latino Higher Education
LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation's largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, announced today the commemoration of its 40th Anniversary.
"Since 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has provided college scholarships to 60,000 exceptional Hispanic students, as well as vital resources and tools that help them graduate and launch their professions in fields critical to the future of this country," said Fidel A. Vargas, President & CEO, Hispanic Scholarship Fund. "We are excited to celebrate our accomplishments and to anticipate the amazing opportunities that lie ahead for the students and families we serve."
HSF was founded June 16, 1975 when a small group of Latino leaders rallied around California educator Ernesto Robles. With the help of his wife, Dora, his friend Paul Sedillo, and Bishop Patrick F. Flores, after work and on weekends, Robles launched the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, later renamed the "Hispanic Scholarship Fund." His aim was to usher in an age of educational and economic equality for the 11.8 million Latinos in the U.S., at that time, by providing scholarships to outstanding Hispanic students across the country. Since then, HSF has awarded $470 million in scholarships and array of ever-increasing services for college-bound students, their parents, and the entire Hispanic community.
Today the U.S. Hispanic population has grown to over 54 million people, constituting 17% of the country's total population. One-fourth of all public school students are Hispanic, and the 69% of Latino high school graduates are going directly to college, a rate that is now higher than that of the general population. Latinos are projected to comprise 30% of the labor force by 2050.
"It is more important than ever for HSF to provide scholarships, programs, information, and other resources that equip Hispanic students to excel, complete college and graduate studies, enter professions critical to this nation's future, and become leaders. I am proud to be part of HSF," said Jim McNamara, Chairman, HSF Board of Directors. "Every day, we are helping students achieve their full potential on the road to and through college."
In preparation for its 40th Anniversary, HSF reached out to its online community to vote for a favorite commemorative logo on Facebook. The poll garnered over 10,000 votes, and the winning logo is now being used in all HSF collateral, to mark this special year.
In addition, throughout the organization's anniversary year, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is introducing:
- HSF's History highlighting the organization's past and present milestones through an interactive web timeline on HSF.net
- "#HSFstories" postings on HSF's website and social media, featuring influential Latinos who serve as an inspiration to others
- HSF Story Video, a website-accessed feature sharing the organization's history and efforts in the community on its website
- HSF's 40 Ways to Give Back, a campaign, illustrating the many ways people can give back to HSF
- HSF's 40th Anniversary Awards, honoring top donors in a special edition of the organization's Alumni Hall of Fame Gala, on October 7, 2015 in New York
"We're thankful to our donors and partners who know the work we do together is not only important for the Latino community, but to our entire nation," added Mr. Vargas. "We are celebrating them, as much as we are celebrating ourselves and the students and families we serve."
About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund empowers Latino families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional Hispanic American students as possible. As the nation's largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, the Fund has awarded over $470 million in scholarships and provides a range of ancillary programs for students, HSF Scholars, Alumni, and parents. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, please visit: HSF.net.
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SOURCE Hispanic Scholarship Fund
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