Lawrence Roybal, communications director for the UNM Office of Recruitment Services, received a humanitarian award for his community initiatives to improve the quality and number of opportunities available to the University community.
The award ceremony at the KiMo Theatre honored eight Hispanic leaders from New Mexico with the 2002 De Colores Hispanic Heritage Humanitarian Leadership Award for their contributions in a variety of fields.
"I accept this tremendous honor on behalf of all of our outstanding students, staff, faculty and administrators who have dedicated themselves in service to community," Roybal said.
The award, in its 10th year, is a component of the annual De Colores, Inc., Hispanic Culture Festival, and is co-sponsored by UNM. The ceremony included an art show, food and entertainment.
In an effort to innovate and upgrade student affairs on campus, Roybal collaborates with the Self Reliance Foundation, based in Washington, D.C., to organize and develop community initiatives for UNM students, staff, faculty and community organizations.
It was the UNM Self Reliance Foundation student fellows that nominated Roybal for the award.
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"He definitely goes above and beyond what he has to in order to provide more opportunities for people here on campus," said Stephanie Bofman, Self Reliance Foundation member and UNM student. "He genuinely cares about helping people, and it is evident in how much the doors he has opened have benefited the UNM community."
As a student, Roybal earned his bachelor of arts in communication, a master's degree in public administration and is currently pursuing his doctorate in educational leadership at UNM.
"What makes him special is that he balances the heaviest of schedules while remaining committed to everybody and still pursuing his education," Maite Arce, deputy director of the Self Reliance Foundation, said in a press release. "He serves as an excellent role model for students by demonstrating that you can serve people and still advance your educational pursuits."
Roybal's scholastic efforts have earned him recognition as a member of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, the Phi Alpha National Honor Society for public affairs, as well as the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
Roybal has been a member of Friendship Force International and the National Council for International Visitors, as national president of the Ambassador Association of Sister Cities International and is a member of the National Council of the United Nations Association.
The other seven New Mexicans receiving the 2002 leadership awards are: Henry Casso, for lifetime achievement; Harry Montoya, business; Manuel Garcia, government; Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, government; Marcella Arellanes, grassroots leadership; Franc Chewiwie, arts; and Alfredo Garcia, education.
"It is because of the tremendous commitment of so many dedicated individuals to service projects locally, nationally and internationally, that we embrace a hope for a better world due to profound achievements in so many important areas," Roybal said.
