2009 Honorees
A Tribute to Star Supports of Education
Board of Trustees, Founding Officers and Members
In 2003, former Texas Governor Ann Richards signed into law a bill creating South Texas Community College, now South Texas College. These founding board members, all community and business leaders, were appointed by Gov. Richards to oversee and implement the bill’s objective to provide previously unavailable higher-education opportunities for residents of Hidalgo and Starr Counties. The College’s rapid 15-year growth has made South Texas College the largest higher education provider south of San Antonio. This serves as a true testament to the dedication of these founding visionaries and their service to our community. Through their efforts, a paradigmatic shift has occurred in the Rio Grande Valley. Obtaining a college education is no longer an unobtainable goal and the work of the founding board members is realized in the thousands of STC graduates now providing their families—and their communities—with a better quality of life.
Ruben Hinojosa, Sr., Chairman
Chief Executive Officer, H&H Foods, Mercedes
Representing Edcouch-Elsa, La Villa, Mercedes, and Northeast Alamo
Glen E. Roney, Vice-Chairman
Chief Executive Officer, Compass Bank, formerly known as Texas State Bank, McAllen
Representing South McAllen, Sharyland, and Northeast Mission
Gary Gurwitz, Secretary
Senior Partner, Atlas and Hall, L.L.P., McAllen
Representing North McAllen, Alton, and Pharr
Manuel Benavidez, Jr.
Former Director of Transportation, Rio Grande City ISD
Representing Starr County and Western Hidalgo County
Dr. Amparo Cardenas
Principal, Leoline Horton Elementary School, Weslaco
Representing Alamo, Donna, and Weslaco
Rosalinda Gonzalez
Former Administrator for Secondary Curriculum and Instruction, McAllen ISD
Representing La Joya, Mission, Palmview, Sullivan City, Granjeno, Hidalgo, and Las Milpas
Pearl Mathis
Former Publisher, Edinburg Daily Review
Representing Edinburg, San Juan, and Northeast Pharr
As Class VII president, I learned great leadership skills and I know that the help I received as a Valley Scholar student would not have been possible without the assistance of our community, mentors and sponsors.
Amir Esmaeili, Class VII