PROUD LATINO GRADUATE

Submitted by Admin on

Indiana's Purdue University in Fort Wayne is about to celebrate it's 46th Annual Commencement Ceremony this Wednesday, May 15, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, where 2,126 Indiana University and Purdue University certificates and degrees will be conferred to their students.

Special recognition will be given to the first graduating class of Chapman Scholars. One of the premier competitive, merit-based scholarship programs in Indiana—the Chapman Scholars program is recognized for combining civic engagement opportunities with outstanding scholarship options. The program develops involved scholars who understand that civic engagement is key to personal growth as well as the growth and strength of a community. The four original Chapman Scholars are joined by two members of the second class, both of whom have completed their degree work in three years.

Among these students is Osbaldo Regalado, from Ligonier, Indiana, a proud Latino who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs with a minor in criminal justice. His last name Regalado means, gifted and Osbaldo is certainly an extremely gifted fellow.

Osbaldo Regalado says he wanted a fresh start in life after high school and attending IPFW gave him that opportunity. IPFW was affordable, close to home, and offered the criminal justice degree he was interested in earning. Beginning in fall 2009, he drove to IPFW from his home in Ligonier every day, attending classes, meeting with advisers, and planning his academic future. Then his father lost his job and Osbaldo felt it was his duty to support the family until his father was working again. For about two years he worked third shift in a factory while still carrying a full load of classes. He told his advisers succeeding
in school was more important to him than sleep. When his father got a job at the same factory, Osbaldo was able to quit and focus solely on his studies. He is now the first in his family to not only go to college, but to get a degree. Last year, Mr. Osbaldo Regalado joined the Army National Guard and leaves for basic training next month. In December, he plans to move to Chicago and apply to the police academy there and become a police officer.