Two students at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas have received national scholarships through programs sponsored by ALPFA, the largest Latino association for business professionals and students.

The awarding of the scholarships to Dania Herrera and Carolina Valdizon was announced at ALPFA’s national convention in Anaheim, Calif. ALPFA has more than 15,000 members through 39 professional and 80 student chapters around the nation. The scholarships awarded to Valdizon and Herrera were among 45 announced at the convention. The scholarships go to Latino students with business-related majors who were entering at least their sophomore year of college.

Javier Reyes, associate dean for undergraduate studies, said Herrera and Valdizon are shining examples of the sort of students who chose to attend the Walton College and the kind of education the school provides. “At the Walton College, we develop our students to be successful outside the walls of the classroom and beyond the borders of the state and the nation,” Reyes said. “Dania and Carolina are excellent examples of this and are representative of all of our students.”

Herrera was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Cardinal Health. Valdizon received a $1,250 scholarship sponsored by KPMG.

“Over the past six years, ALPFA through the generosity of sponsors such as Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and KPMG, to name just a few, have assisted more than 300 community college, undergraduate and graduate students with funding to achieve their educational goals,” said Pamela Ravare-Jones, chief operating officer of ALPFA. “These efforts have provided more than a half million dollars specifically to impact Latino students as a part of our outreach. In the years to come, ALPFA intends to make an even greater impact in the lives of business, finance and accounting students who are the hope and future for the Latino community.”

Herrera is a sophomore business management major who attended Gentry High School. She also is the recipient of a Retail Diversity scholarship, a Razorback Bridge scholarship, and a League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) scholarship. She participated in the Walton College’s Business Leadership Academy and is a member of the university’s Honors College.

“ALPFA has provided me with the opportunity to work closely with the Northwest Arkansas Professional Chapter, and with their mentorship and guidance I know my possibilities are endless,” Herrera said. “I am blessed and honored to be one of the top scholar recipients of the APLFA/HSF 2011 Scholarship, and I am truly thankful to Cardinal Health who sponsored my scholarship. “

Valdizon is a sophomore majoring in international business. She attended Rogers High School. She also is the recipient of a LULAC scholarship and is a Silas Hunt Distinguished Scholar at the university. Valdizon is a member of Leadership Walton and the U of A Honors College.

“I entered ALPFA simply wanting to participate in an organization involving my business major, and this Latino-oriented group seemed to fit best,” Valdizon said. “Now, ALPFA is something that represents me.”

“After receiving the scholarship from the national chapter, I appreciate all the opportunities ALPFA has for me even more,” Valdizon said. “With the scholarship I plan to further myself by setting most, if not all, of the money aside specifically for studying abroad and expanding my cultural knowledge.”

Both students said they planned to use the fact they won the ALPFA scholarships to help others advance their educations and careers.

“With the knowledge I have gained through ALPFA and my education, I hope to mentor students so I can share all the insights I have gained,” Herrera said.

“I'm very eager to see how much we, as a student chapter, can further expand ALPFA on campus this year so that we can provide the scholarship opportunity to other members,” Valdizon said.

Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals and ambulatory care sites focus on patient care while reducing costs, improving efficiency and quality and increasing profitability.

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International’s member firms have 138,000 professionals, including more than 7,900 partners, in 150 countries.