The Latino Alumni Association will have a scholarship fundraising event, “La Pachanga,” on Friday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m., at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

“La Pachanga” is one of the events that LAS will have to benefit the LAS Endowed Scholarship Fund, which supports University of Arkansas students, of Latino/a descent, to advance their educational pursuits.

The event will feature important guests, such as Chancellor G. David Gearhart and Mike Macechko, the Arkansas Alumni Association’s executive director, who will present the Latino Alumni Society with its official charter. Now, as one of only three Southeastern Conference universities with both a Black Alumni Society and a Latino Alumni Society, the University of Arkansas will be making history.

“La Pachanga” is an excellent opportunity to show the University and Northwest Arkansas community that the Latino Alumni Society is committed to continuing its mission of bringing together Latino/a alumni and other friends of the UA to work for the goals and advancement of the Latino students, alumni, faculty, staff and community. At the event the Latino/a graduates of May 2012 will be announced, as well as the presentation of the Excellencia Latina Award to one undergraduate and graduate student.

This is a scholarship fundraiser and tickets must be purchased to attend, a portion of the ticket cost is tax deductible as a scholarship donation.

Tickets can be purchased at www.arkansasalumni.org/pachanga2012 or at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House, 491 N. Razorback Rd. across from the football stadium.

“It is a community building event, a time to celebrate and enjoy good music, food and company. As for the graduates, it is one last opportunity to get together with fellow classmates.”

-Luis Fernando Restrepo, LAS president.

“The event is another way of showing the Northwest Arkansas community that we are a big community and that we are ready to work for the accomplishments of our Latino professionals and students.”

-Cecilia Grossberger, LAS member

“’La Pachanga is a wonderful event because of the opportunity it helps create for Latino/a students to further their education. The increase of Latino/a students in higher education is strengthening the overall economic viability of the Northwest Arkansas region and the entire state.”

-Airic Hughes, Student Programs Coordinator, Arkansas Alumni Association