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September 6, 2007
Back to School Fiesta a Big Success
More than 4000 potential students and their families attended this year’s event..
Written by Lisa Du Bois Low
Future Red Raiders learn about college during and information session at the 2007 fiesta. See more.
More than 4000 potential first-generation students and their families attended this year’s Back to School Fiesta Day. Activities included a college and community fair, informational sessions for parents and students, free food and entertainment, campus bus tours and free school supplies for pre-kindergarten through high school students.
The fiesta, held annually in August, is cosponsored by the Office of the President and Raiders Rojos National Alumni, a chapter of the Texas Tech Alumni Association. The event has grown in attendance each year and has been incorporated into the campus palette of outreach efforts.
A special focus of this year’s fiesta was to ensure that every family learns about the Red Raider Guarantee. This scholarship program, introduced by Chancellor Kent Hance, helps families with incomes of $40,000 or less. Students that qualify for the scholarship are eligible for free tuition and fees for up to eight semesters.
The 2007 Community Champion for Education award was presented to Lubbock City Councilwoman Linda DeLeon at this year’s fiesta by President Jon Whitmore. DeLeon was chosen for her extra effort in championing the cause for education in and around Lubbock. She spent 18 years as an LISD school board trustee where she pushed for equality in education for district students and advocated for minority schools.
See a photo essay by Artie Limmer at Flickr.com.
Program
Janie Landin Ramirez, program director for Raiders Rojos and chair of the Texas Tech Back to School Fiesta Campus-wide Planning Committee. She is also the Outreach Coordinator for the College of Education and a member of the Chancellors Hispanic Enrollment Taskforce.
Community Support
- WorkSource of the South Plains
- South Plains Closing the Gaps P-20 Coalition
- VOICES Coalition through Managed Care
- Center for Addictive and Other Disorders
- The Knights of Columbus Council 11807
- The Hispanic Association of Women
- Girl Scout Troop 73
- Youth Corps students
- Hispanic Student Society students
- The Latino Hispanic Faculty and Staff Association
- Future Business Leaders of America chapter at Lubbock High School
- HACEMOS from AT&T
- National Hispanic Institute
Story produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing, 806-742-2136.