Rick Arellano, professor of computer applications and
occupational technology at Ohlone College, was one of five people honored last
month at the inaugural Latino Heritage Leadership Awards Ceremony.
The event, held Oct. 11 in the Council Chambers at Newark
City Hall, was started as a mark of respect toward National Hispanic Heritage
Month, which is observed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.
“These individuals being recognized have demonstrated a
long-standing commitment to making our community a better place for everyone,”
Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski of Fremont said in a statement.
Wieckowski, along with Congressman Mike Honda, State Sen.
Ellen Corbett and San Jose City Council member Kansen Hu, awarded Arellano with
a Latino Heritage Leadership Certificate of Recognition.
“Education is very important to Rick Arellano,” Ohlone
College Trustee Vivien Larsen said in her introduction speech. “He supports,
promotes and advocates for the success of the Latino community, in particular
the Latino students’ success and advancement in education, especially in the
fields of science, technology, engineering and math. He is also an advocate for
older adults.”
Larsen praised Arellano for his past and present community
leadership roles, including his service as board member of Life ElderCare; president
of the AARP Newark Chapter; secretary of Toastmasters Newark Chapter; City of
Newark Senior Citizen Advisory Committee member; coordinator of STEM College
for a Day at Ohlone College; Newark Rotary Club member; Ohlone College
Foundation board director; and Avanzando board member.
He was named Ohlone College Outstanding Educator of the Year
in 2010 and has been recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives and the
state Legislature, among others.
Arellano holds a master’s of science degree in computer
systems. In his acceptance speech, he thanked his parents for granting him
permission to leave his home in Lima, Peru, at the age of 17 in order to pursue
his future, along with his family for supporting him throughout his journey of
accomplishments.
“I lived in the Mission district of San Francisco, where I
met so many individuals dedicated to the advancement of the underserved and
underrepresented,” he said. “I followed their footsteps. Later on, in Oakland,
Stockton and the East Bay, I met other individuals with similar goals. They
were also my mentors and role models. I share with all of them this Certificate
of Recognition.”
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