AWC chairwoman receives Prestigious Alumni Award

Arizona Western College again honored one of the community's shapers by awarding its annual Prestigious Alumni Award to a former graduate Saturday.

Alicia Valdez, chairwoman of the AWC governing board, said she was greatly touched. Valdez was granted the Alumni Award in a brief ceremony on the 50-yard line prior to the homecoming football game between the Matadors and the Pima Aztecs. Valdez is the second recipient after Bill Olsen, CEO of YRMC, who was honored last year. 

Valdez said she was totally surprised because there are so many residents who have done so much for AWC and the community.

"My life has been in education, and I feel just so fortunate to work with such driven colleagues to help our students that I feel extremely privileged serving Yuma County."

Yuma will rely more upon higher education in the future and it has the AWC Foundation Board to thank. The board wants to see Yuma's future citizens as productive as possible and molding the community, she said.

"I am truly grateful to the AWC Foundation Board for contributing scholarships to students and faculty and in its promoting lifelong learning."

She said she could not remember when she ever stopped learning, whether to advance her own education or just as a hobby. She is even now taking AWC computer classes because she said she can never seem to keep up with technology and there is just so much to learn to satisfy her curiosity.

Marc Nigliazzo, AWC president, said every higher education institution has its reputation ultimately determined by its graduates and that he cannot think of a finer example than Valdez.

Noting that AWC is approaching its 50th anniversary in several years and since its beginnings has had so many remarkably talented people come through its doors, it was only fitting to recognize them, said Ruth Whisler, executive director of the AWC Foundation.

She said it is important to continue acknowledging those who have done so much for academics, to help everyone see how important education is and realize the good things that can happen in the county as a result.

Whisler also said that Valdez knew as far back as the fifth grade what her career path would be when she told a classmate she wanted to be a teacher. Valdez was not only a teacher in Gadsden but also principal of Rio Colorado School.

Valdez has also served as trustee of the state arts association, a charter member of the AWC Advisory Council and was inducted into the Education Foundation of Yuma County Hall of Fame in 2008.

"Alicia has gone so far above the concept of giving back to the community. She has worked in education as well as the arts. And she has been instrumental in bringing English as a second language classes to the college level curriculum."

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William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.