Awards and Recognition
Distinguished Citizen Award
Distinguished service in nonprofit organizations or other outstanding volunteer services
Homecoming 2008 Award Winners
J. Sarah Gonzales
At her core, J. Sarah Gonzales believes we each can affect change and achieve true social justice.
Sarah graduated from The University of Arizona in 2003 with a master’s degree in higher education. She tailored her UA experience around diversity and social justice efforts, working directly with students as a graduate hall director, serving as a member of the Diversity Initiatives committee, and working in Chicano-Hispano Student Affairs. Sarah also led the implementation of the Tunnel of Oppression and the No Room for Hate Campaign.
Sarah now is the director of the Racial Justice Program at the YWCA of Tucson, where she conducts anti-racism workshops and trainings for K-12 and college students, professionals, and community members. This is an extremely difficult job, as many participants are resistant to or confused by the sensitive and controversial content of these workshops. Sarah creates a safe space for participants and keeps them engaged while facilitating dialogue, learning, and the examination of the purpose and impact of such events.
Always educating, questioning, and developing a new program or method for outreach, Sarah is extremely gifted in her ability to discuss the difficult dynamics of power and privilege at a level that appeals to diverse audiences.
Sarah also is a dedicated alumna who has maintained her connection to the UA over the years by working with staff, faculty, and students on campus.
We are honored to present the Distinguished Citizen Award to J. Sarah Gonzales.
Mary Hall
Mary E. Hall is the founder and chief operating officer of Take Charge America (TCA), one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit credit counseling organizations.
More than a decade ago, Mary, along with her husband, Mike, envisioned a company that could assist people who were struggling financially. Her past experience in the financial field, unwavering integrity, and commitment to excellent customer service set the groundwork for this dream to become a reality. TCA now provides credit counseling and debt management and educational services to nearly 200,000 American households annually. In addition, through the management of nearly 65,000 debt-management programs, the company returns more than $500 million annually to the national economy.
In 2002, Mary and Mike established an endowment fund of $10 million at the University of Arizona John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, and developed a TCA Institute for Consumer Financial Education and Research. The Institute now is the preeminent center in the nation for the development of research-based financial literacy outreach programs.
Besides offering general education courses at the UA, TCAI conducts numerous workshops for college students and a national personal-finance case study competition, the Duel in the Desert, involving 86 colleges and universities. Mary plays a significant role in the Duel, not simply by contributing funds but also by serving as a judge every year. In recognition of her tireless service to our community, we present the Distinguished Citizen Award to Mary E. Hall.
Alberto Piña Moore
The breadth and depth of Alberto Piña Moore’s contribution to The University of Arizona is truly remarkable. He has contributed to the internationalization of the UA while creating special opportunities for students abroad and in Arizona.
Alberto has served on the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences College Advisory Board for the past 10 years and has been the board chair for the last three. During his tenure as board chair for the college, he pushed for and helped develop a fundraising strategy for the Center of Latin American Studies. Drawing on his long-term relationship with former Arizona governor and U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, Bolivia, and Argentina, Raul H. Castro, Alberto worked tirelessly to mobilize friends of the governor to endow a scholarship fund in Castro’s name for outstanding UA students. The endowment has now funded five students. Following that campaign, Alberto worked with the Center and the Raul H. Castro Institute at Phoenix College to produce a documentary on the governor’s life which was released in May 2008. Alberto volunteered his time for this effort — a challenge which took 12 months.
One of Alberto’s greatest contributions to the University of Arizona is his work starting the Nanjing Normal University in Nanjing, China. This university now works in conjunction with the UA on a wide range of activities including teaching, graduate training, and research.
In addition, Alberto volunteers for La Frontera Foundation, the Pascua Yaqui, and the Tohono O’odham American Indian Nations.
There is not a day that goes by — including weekends — where he does not work on behalf of the UA.
We are honored to present the Distinguished Citizen Award to Alberto Piña Moore.