Dr. Eliseo "Cheo" Torres, vice president for Student Affairs, was recently honored at two local events for his dedication to education and life-long commitment to human rights. The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) awarded Torres with its annual President’s Award with an inscription that reads, “For your vision, dedication and service to education in New Mexico.”
Photo: Vice President for Student Affairs Eliseo "Cheo" Torres
During the presentation of the award, AHCC President, Phil Castillo credited Torres for his service in supporting Hispano scholarship programs and his work, among other things, with several projects involving students, faculty and administrators from Latin American countries, especially Mexico.
Castillo talked about Torres’ summer UNM class, “Traditional Medicine Without Borders: Curanderismo in the Southwest and Mexico,” which attracts students from all over New Mexico and throughout the United States. The class hosts Mexican folk and spiritual healers who share their knowledge and experience of medicinal and spiritual healing with the class.
The AHCC has given more than $100,000 to New Mexico’s graduating seniors many who will be attending the University of New Mexico.
A few weeks prior to receiving the AHCC award, Torres received the Cesar Chavez, “Si Se Puede” award by City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department for his life-long commitment to community, social and human rights issues.