Unanue Latino Institute Celebrates and Empowers Students

Univision Emmy Award-winning journalist and anchor Damaris Diaz will serve as master of ceremonies.

On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute (JAULI) will host its Carnaval Gala at Seton Hall University's Bethany Hall, bringing together global leaders in numerous industries including healthcare, sports, media, government, fashion, non-profit and the philanthropy sectors to celebrate servant leadership and honor exceptional individuals and institutions that inspire and uplift Latino communities.

Distinguished honorees being recognized at this year's gala fundraiser include Victor Cruz, Giants Super Bowl champion and one time Pro Bowl receiver for the NFL; Sara Peña, director of External Affairs for PSEG; Deborah Visconi, president and chief executive officer of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center; and Adrian Orozco '19, New Jersey political director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ. Seton Hall alumna and Univision Emmy Award-winning journalist and anchor Damaris Diaz will serve as master of ceremonies.

In their personal and professional lives, these trailblazing figures selflessly have given of their talent, their time and their resources to uplift and support Latino/Hispanic communities and beyond. This annual JAULI gathering is part of Seton Hall's celebration of  Hispanic Heritage Month and is designed to raise scholarship funds for JAULI's mission: to advance, educate and transform students in the next generation of servant leaders in our ever-changing global society.

Each year, the Gala brings together the Institute's alumni, students, donors, friends and corporate partners to celebrate trailblazing Latino/a leaders and their accomplishments while highlighting the mission of the Institute," said Lori Tarke, DHSc., executive director, JAULI, noting "The Institute has distributed $1.85 million in scholarships to more than 400 undergraduate and graduate students since 2005. Sponsorships help drive the Institute's mission and programming forward, allowing it to continue providing scholarships, community support and cultural programming for our University community."

In 2024, JAULI helped support over 50 scholars from diverse backgrounds to attend Seton Hall; many are first-generation students. The organization began in 1974 as the Puerto Rican Institute and is marking a milestone by celebrating 50 years of Latino excellence at Seton Hall University in 2024. Then, in 2005, Joseph A. and Carmen Ana Unanue's vision was to establish JAULI's new mission as a center of excellence on campus, dedicated to empowering Latino students through academic, cultural and community programs while shining a light on Latino culture, bridging gaps in understanding about Latino heritage and providing opportunities for Latino students to grow as compassionate servant leaders and achieve a rewarding education.  Joseph A. Unanue was the former CEO of Goya Foods, and his dream was to inspire students to reach their full potential within their chosen professional fields.

Victor Cruz to Receive Esperanza Award

Victor Cruz to receive Esperanza Award

NFL Super Bowl Champion and Broadcaster Victor Cruz will receive the Esperanza (Hope) Award, which honors prominent Latino leaders who make a positive impact on our society and raises funding for student scholarships. A recognized Super Bowl Champion and one time Pro Bowl receiver for the NFL, Cruz grew up in Paterson, NJ, just a few miles from the Giants' home field at MetLife Stadium. An all-state receiver for Paterson Catholic High School, he accepted a scholarship to the University of Massachusetts and was ranked as high as 13th in the NCAA for receiving yards per game.

As an undrafted free agent in 2010, Victor impressively played his way onto the Giants' 53-man regular season roster. By the end of the 2011 season, he finished with a single-season franchise record for receiving yards and was named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press. Victor also tied an NFL record for the longest play with a 99-yard touchdown reception and was an integral part of the Giants victory over the Patriots. The following year, he earned a selection to the 2012 Pro Bowl as he continued to establish himself as a premier NFL player.

A recognized fashion icon and tastemaker, he has been recognized by Vanity Fair, GQ, AQ, Vogue  and Sports Illustrated. He was the first athlete to design and release a lifestyle shoe with NIKE, the Air Trainer Cruz, and has also collaborated with 3x1, Ovadia and Sons and most recently French brand Pierre Hardy in the fashion industry.

Cruz has become a role model to a new generation of sport fans through his acts of kindness and compassion. An active philanthropist, he launched the Victor Cruz Foundation in 2014, which encourages children to become physically active, focuses on college readiness, financial literacy and STEM programming.

Since Cruz officially retired from the NFL in 2018, he has served as an ESPN NFL analyst, TV host for E! Entertainment and launched 100k Ventures, a Flint, MI accelerator venture capitalist group, with the likes of Robert Wolf, Soledad O'Brien, Michael Strahan, Draymond Green and others in 2019.

Sara Peña to Receive the Viva Award

Sara Peña to receive the Viva Award

Ms. Sara Peña, M.P.A., will receive the Viva Award, which celebrates her philanthropic accomplishments over twenty years in service of the advancement of the Latino community with her work with non-profits, healthcare, government and private organizations. A Newark native, she currently is director of external affairs at PESG, leveraging her leadership and talent to developing relationships through her considerable community outreach that is aligned with PSEG's goals.

Deeply committed to youth development, Peña is the founder and president of the Boys to Leaders Foundation. She has garnered awards from respected organizations such as the Association of Latin American Law Students, the New Jersey Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the League of Woman Voters of New Jersey for her servant leadership. She has also been named twice to InsiderNJ's 100 Policy Makers Power List.

"It is such an honor to be receiving the Viva Award from the Latino Institute and to be able to shine a light on how we can make a difference for emerging Latine leaders," said Sara Peña, noting "By supporting this event, we can make a difference for so many young people and help them to succeed with our mentorship and our support."

"We are thrilled to recognize Sara for all she does professionally and philanthropically and to acknowledge her talent and generosity of spirit to the Latine community and every person and organization that she touches through her inspired leadership, her caring and her commitment," said Cristina Cosme, assistant director, JAULI.

Deborah Visconi to Receive the Magno Award

Deborah Visconi to receive the Magno Award

Deborah Visconi, M.H.A., president and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, the largest hospital in New Jersey and the fourth largest publicly owned hospital in the country, will receive the Magno Award, which acknowledges the positive impact Visconi's achievements and service have had on the Latine community. In her more than three decades in healthcare, she has excelled in providing strategic direction, vision and leadership.

"It is a profound honor to receive the Magno Award from the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute. This recognition not only celebrates our shared heritage and the achievements of the Latine community, but also underscores the vital importance of furthering education and fostering unity," said Visconi. "Together, we will continue to uplift our communities, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a brighter, more inclusive future."

"We celebrate Deborah Visconi, a Latine history maker, who through her leadership elevated a hospital that was struggling and transformed it into an award-winning medical center providing high-quality care to all members of the community," said Tarke. "Deb leads with an open heart, serving the most vulnerable while being out on the front lines as a strong proponent of diversity, equity and inclusion."

Adrian Orozco will receive the Alumni Impact Award

Adrian Orozco will receive the Alumni Impact Award

Adrian Orozco '19, New Jersey political director for Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 32BJ, will receive the Alumni Impact Award. 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country, representing 175,000 office cleaners, security officers, doormen, porters, maintenance workers, bus drivers and aides, window cleaners, school cleaners and food service workers in twelve states and Washington, D.C. Members hail from 64 different countries, speaking 28 different languages. 32BJ represents 15,000 members in New Jersey, including security guards at Seton Hall's main campus and cleaners at Seton Hall Law.

As the New Jersey political director for 32BJ, Orozco works to elect public officials who have the best interests of working families at the top of their agenda. In addition to overseeing the union's electoral program, Adrian also manages the union's legislative program and advances policies that protect and lift members and their families.

"Adrian continues to remain connected not only to Joseph A Unanue Latino Institute and Seton Hall but as well as our fraternity chapter here at Seton Hall. He showcases the leadership qualities that our fraternity highlights and applies it to the Latino Institute and the students here. He is a great role model who continues to support students and workers alike; to achieve and accomplish their dreams to improve their lives and help build a more just society for present and future generations" said Juston Piscoya, current Seton Hall University student and Chapter President of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Chapter.

"While my journey at Seton Hall marked my first experience outside a predominantly Latino community, spaces like the Latino Institute provided me with invaluable opportunities to explore my Latinidad. Let us continue to celebrate and support the crucial work of the Institute, ensuring that our rich heritage continues to leave an enduring mark on Seton Hall University," noted Orozco.

Carnaval's Cocktail Hour begins at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner and program begin at 7:30 p.m. in Bethany Hall on Seton Hall's South Orange campus at 400 South Orange Ave., South Orange, NJ. Reservations are being accepted now. Please respond by October 17.

"We want to give our students the best chance to succeed. Most are first generation. Each of these leaders being honored has the same level of passion for humanity, for the community, for la Familia. We are celebrating our community with these history makers, influencers and leaders. I want our students to see that dreams can be made with hard work and commitment so our students see what they can achieve through the lessons of these honorees as role models," shared Tarke.

Interested parties can support the annual gala through sponsorships (see options here), ticket purchases, or straight donations. Please contact Maddie Romano, director of Experiential Engagement, Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy for sponsorship and ticket inquiries.

About the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute
Established through a generous gift from benefactors Joseph and Carmen Ana Unanue in 2005, the Latino Institute is dedicated to empowering Latino students through academic, cultural and community programs. A center of excellence on campus, the Institute shines a light on Latino culture, bridges gaps in understanding about Latino heritage and provides opportunities for Latino students to grow as compassionate servant leaders and achieve a rewarding education.

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