The Circle Award has been a central element of La Celebración Latina since the inaugural ceremony in 2000. We honor persons who have made significant contributions to the harmony and strength of the Latino and University communities through their work, leadership, and service. Graduating participants of La Celebración nominate their preference for the award recipients.

Past Circle Award recipients:

2000 – Katalina Berdy and Eliana Moya-Raggio

2001 – Margarita de la Vega-Hurtado, Ph.D., Tomas Almaguer, Ph.d. & Frances Aparicio, Ph.D. 

2002 – Roxanna Duntley-Matos & Tomas Hulick Baiza

2003 – Donney Kyra Maritza Moroney

2004 – Steven Abbott

2005 – Silvia Mayers

2006 – Patricia Aqui Pacania & Millie Tirado, Ph.D.

2007 – Maria Eugenia Cotera, Ph.D. & Robert M. Ortega, Ph.D.

2008 – Larry La Fountain-Stokes, Ph.D.

2009 – John Vasquez

2010 – Ruth Behar, Lourdes Velez & Melissa Valerio

2011 – Danilo Gutierrez

2012 – Dilip Das

2013 – Dr. John Matlock

2014 – Mara Cecilia Ostfeld

2015 – Yakaira Alexander-Ramos

2016 – John Garcia

2017 – Yeidy M. Rivero

2018 – Catalina Ormsby

2019 – Teresa Sanchez-Snell

2020 – No circle award recipient due to COVID-19