KU News Release

Hispanic American Leadership Organization announces 2008-09 officers

LAWRENCE — The Hispanic American Leadership Organization at the University of Kansas, known as HALO, has announced its newly elected 2008-09 officers.

Formed in 1971 as the Association of Mexican American Students, the group changed its name in 1974 to Movimiento Estuadiantil Chicano de Aztlan. In 1986, it became known as HALO to better reflect the diversity of Hispanic representation. The group’s mission is to meet the academic, social and cultural needs of the Hispanic student population at KU.

Among its signature events during the school year are Hispanic Heritage Month in September and Cinco de Mayo in May. The group also assists KU with statewide outreach events for Hispanic high school students and participates in area festivals and cultural events.

The group is funded by Student Senate and is overseen by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Juan Izaguirre, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, has been HALO staff adviser since 2003.

HALO is among several student groups that co-sponsor programs with the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center, located in a new building on KU’s Lawrence campus. Others are the Asian American Student Union, Black Student Union, Diversity Peer-Education Team, First Nations Student Association, Hillel, National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Queers and Allies.

The 7,000-square-foot, $2.7 million center that joins the Kansas Union in the northeast part of campus typifies KU’s commitment to enhance and support the university’s culturally diverse student population. Student fees, along with a $1 million donation from the Sabatini family, funded the construction for the new building. In addition to gaining a prime campus location, the new center will allow more student groups to gather, study and host multicultural events throughout the year.

HALO officers are listed below by hometown, major and level in school, parents’ names, high school attended and office and/or role.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Andover 67002
Allison Ingram, sophomore in human biology with a concentration in anthropology, daughter of Michael and Amber Ingram; Andover High School; director of social interaction.

HASKELL COUNTY
From Satanta 67870
Benjamin Fuentes, sophomore in computer science, son of Benjamin and Laura Fuentes; Satanta Junior-Senior High School; vice president.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Shawnee 66216
Amanda Rivera, junior in accounting, daughter of Robert and Christina Rivera; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; director of finance.

From Shawnee 66226
Adrian Gonzales, sophomore in economics, son of Rick and Renee McCall; Mill Valley High School; director of service.

PAWNEE COUNTY
From Larned 67550
Audrianna Kozlowski, freshman in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, daughter of W. Bruce and Stacie Kozlowski; Larned High School; director of public relations.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66616 and Amarillo, Texas
Alicia Lopez, freshman preparing to study nursing, daughter of Janice Mendez of Topeka and Joseph Lopez of Amarillo, Texas; Topeka High School; parliamentarian.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66106
Xavier Loya, junior preparing to study journalism, son of Tom and Yolanda Loya; J. C. Harmon High School; assistant director of finances.

From Kansas City 66109
Mark Marquez, sophomore in human biology preparing to study optometry, son of Aileen Buchanan; Sumner Academy of Arts and Science; secretary.

CALIFORNIA
From Inglewood 90302
David Gonzalez, junior in American studies and Latin American studies, son of Gonzalo and Felicitas Gonzalez; Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, Calif.; president.

TEXAS
From Amarillo 79108 and Topeka, Kan.
Alicia Lopez. See SHAWNEE COUNTY

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