Latino Alumni Society Honored Graduating Students at Méritos Latinos Reception

The Latino Alumni Society honored new graduates at the 2025 Winter Méritos Latinos Reception on Dec. 13, 2025, at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. Speakers at the event from LAS were Cecilia Grossberger and Carolina Vargas.  Brandy Cox gave remarks from the Arkansas Alumni Association.   

A highlight of the reception was the presentation of graduation stoles to 12 graduating students, nominated by U of A faculty and staff. The honorees were: 

• Ashley Paulette Rivera Pitti B.S.A.'25. 

• Catalina Rodríguez Puerto M.S.'19, Ph.D.'25. 

• Jennifer Perez B.S.N.'25. 

• Remer Chavez B.A.'25.  

• Kevin Oro Paz B.S.M.E.'25. 

• Luis Fernando De Gracia Batista B.S.Ch.E.'25. 

• Jonathan Munoz Juarez B.A.'25.  

• Citlalli Fernández B.A.'25. 

• Jackeline Aguilar B.A.'25. 

• Leo Sanchez B.A.'25.  

• Diego Rivera Ponce B.S.B.A.'25.  

• Marlene Hernandez B.S.B.A.'25. 

The ceremony portion of the evening concluded with a Hog Call.  

Méritos Latinos 

Each academic year, the society hosts two Méritos Latinos events. The fall event is a small invitation-only reception that honors and recognizes fall graduates, serving as a graduation celebration and stole bestowal ceremony. The spring event is the society's signature event, with registration open to everyone. It includes a reception, dinner, awards ceremony, the graduation celebration for the spring graduates, and a post-dinner party with dancing. The spring ceremony will take place on May 8, 2026. Please save the date; more details will be announced later this semester.