Alfredo Gutierrez, a prominent Latino leader in Arizona, recently graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts at the age of 78. Gutierrez, who had been expelled from ASU in 1968 for leading student protests, felt it was important to finally obtain his degree after spending his life advocating for education and college pathways for disadvantaged students. His decision to return to school was motivated by a desire to set an example for young people and to fulfill a personal goal that had eluded him for decades.
Gutierrez’s journey towards completing his degree was marked by a lifetime of public service and activism. He served as a state lawmaker, co-founded a political consulting firm, and played a key role in advocating for Medicaid expansion in Arizona. He also helped open South Mountain Community College and founded organizations that provide social services to working-class families. In addition, Gutierrez led grassroots campaigns against anti-immigrant legislation and immigration enforcement practices in Arizona.
Returning to ASU to finish his degree was a testament to Gutierrez’s resilience and determination. His decision to reenroll at the university symbolized a way of reclaiming a piece of his past and completing an unfinished chapter in his life. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Gutierrez’s commitment to education, social justice, and civil rights has left a lasting impact on the Latino community and the state of Arizona.
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