Hispanic National Foundation Honors UW Educator

Vladimir Alvarado, an associate professor in the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science, has been invited to accept a national award for his work in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

Alvarado currently serves as an associate professor and previously was the associate department head for chemical and petroleum engineering at UW. He was selected to receive the ExxonMobil Hispanic Heritage Award for STEM from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF). Alvarado will be honored Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C., during the 28th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards ceremony. The ceremony will be broadcast on PBS stations.

In his award letter, foundation leaders pointed to Alvarado’s work, not only in the field of enhanced oil recovery, but also as “innovator, leader in your field and role model to youth.” The HHF doles out awards to educators, physicians, innovators, business professionals, community leaders, elected officials, celebrities and artists.

The audience for the ceremony includes up to 2,000 people, including members of Congress, White House officials, ambassadors, business and community leaders, celebrities and youths. The evening is co-hosted by more than 40 top national Latino organizations, and the White House hosts a briefing for the honorees and performers.

Created by the White House in 1988 to commemorate the establishment of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Hispanic Heritage Awards are considered one of the highest honors for Hispanics in the United States. Past honorees have included Rita Moreno, Placido Domingo, Celia Cruz, Antonio Banderas, Tito Puente, Anthony Quinn, Carlos Gutierrez, Juan Marichal, Los Tigres Del Norte, Jose Feliciano, Isabel Allende, Alejandro Sanz, Oscar De La Hoya, Gloria Estefan, Martin Sheen, Andy Garcia and Juan Luis Guerra, among many others.

The evening serves as a launch to HHF’s mission to identify, inspire, prepare and position Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce in various priority fields and industries. HHF’s focus on youth leadership and innovation has been recognized by the White House, Congress and Fortune 500 companies.

For more information, visit www.HispanicHeritage.org.