Dear Hoos,
Over the past five years, the Bolívar Network has experienced remarkable growth, building on a 25+ year legacy. This progress is due in large part to dedicated alumni leaders from our community who have been instrumental in strengthening our community and also supporting my journey as Board Chair.
We’ve also seen our Latine UVA alumni community expand through the significant contributions of inspiring new and rising leaders. Our recent successes are a testament to the commitment of our Board, especially though the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Their generosity and dedication, along with that of many others, has been vital to our growth and legacy building.
The Bolívar Network has always held a special place in my heart. As a student, I was deeply moved by Latine alumni who gave back, and receiving the Book Scholarship was a profound honor. It’s been truly rewarding to witness how our donors’ contributions have significantly expanded the Bolívar Networks’ scholarship opportunities. Thanks to the support of over 50 individual donors, our Book Scholarship and First-Year Scholarship funds have grown by 36% and 163%, respectively in the last five years.
We are also thrilled to announce a historic bequest of $1.7 million from alumnus Rubén Basantes (Col ’92), monumentally enhancing the First-Year Scholarship in the future. Our growth would not be possible without generosity, which is why I have made another donation to the network today! I encourage everyone to donate to the thriving Bolívar Network community, whether through a one-time gift or a monthly donation. Your contributions are crucial in sustaining scholarships for students with Hispanic/Latin American roots at UVA.
It has been an honor to serve as the Bolívar Network Board Chair during this time. I am proud of our Board’s achievements, including enhancing traditions like award events, both virtual and in-person, celebrating 16 Book Scholarship recipients and four First Year Scholarship recipients, hosting gatherings in major alumni hubs like DC and NYC, and introducing new initiatives such as the Valerie H. Gregory Impact Award and helping to pilot Juntos, a biennial reunion for UVA’s Hispanic and Latine Alumni (mark your calendars for April 11-13, 2025 for the next Juntos!). As classes begin again at UVA, we are proud to share that we now have a Bolívar Network First-Year Scholarship recipient in every class at UVA!
As I pass the torch to Claudia Bonilla (Col ’17) and Claudia Castañeda (Col ’17), who bring both experience and fresh ideas to lead the incoming Bolívar Network board, I am confident in the continued success of the Bolívar Network. Here’s to many more years of connection, scholarship, and service. ¡Mil gracias!
Claudia Quintero (Col ’11)
Bolívar Network Board Chair, 2019-2024