April 23, 2009 — The Bolívar Network, an alumni organization for Hispanics, Latinos and those of Latin American descent at the University of Virginia, presented several awards last weekend.

Undergraduates Rolando Mendez and Diego Zambrano and graduate students Carolina Proenca Ramoa and Mariel Alexandra Garcia each received $500 scholarships to defray textbook costs. The winners are selected based on several criteria, including  grade-point average, leadership, involvement in student activities, community service and awareness of heritage.
 
Zambrano is a third-year government and history double-major from Venezuela, and Mendez, a third-year biology/chemistry double major of Salvadoran descent, has an interest in medicine and astronomy. 

Ramoa, a native of Brazil, is a neurology doctoral student in the School of Medicine currently conducting research in epilepsy. Garcia, of Mexican descent, is a doctoral student pursuing studies in molecular biology with a strong interest in science policy. 

Alumnus Carlos Soles was given a distinguished service award for outstanding service and dedication to both the Bolivar Network and the wider Latino community. Valerie Gregory, associate dean of admissions, received the Pablo Davis Award, given in conjunction with the Dean of Students Office, to a staff member, alumnus or faculty member whose work has contributed significantly to the Hispanic/Latino community.
 
The Bolívar Network[link to: www.BolivarNetwork.org] was founded in 1997 to work with current students and faculty to enrich the Hispanic student experience at U.Va. The network is an inclusive alumni organization dedicated to reaching out to all Latinos, Hispanics and those of Latin American birth or origin, including alumni, students and friends of U.Va.'s Latino community.