|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Christy Grimes (christy.grimes Greenville College Director of Residence Life Honored by Associated Colleges of IllinoisPedro Valentin Selected as Alumni Shining Example GREENVILLE , ILL. The Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) honored Greenville College alumnus and Director of Residence Life, Pedro Valentin ('96) as a 2006 Alumni Shining Example during ACI's 54th Annual Meeting, The Road to College Success at the Union League Club of Chicago. The ACI selected this year's honorees as Shining Examples of the capacity of minority, low-income and first generation students to overcome significant barriers to achieve college success – in the supportive environments of Illinois' private liberal arts-based institutions. “The Associated Colleges of Illinois is committed to helping college students succeed,” explains Jerry Fuller, ACI's executive director. “Our 2006 Alumni Shining Examples illustrate how crucial it is to provide resources for at-risk students who otherwise may not complete their college careers.” Pedro Valentin, of Chicago, who was nominated by his alma mater, Greenville College, never thought he was college material. He spent his early years in a gang-infested neighborhood, where getting a steady job after high school graduation was a major accomplishment. By the time Valentin reached high school, his family had moved to a safer neighborhood. Although they continued to struggle financially, his parents encouraged him to attend college and dream of a life beyond high school. Valentin heard about Greenville College from his best friend and decided to enroll after a campus visit. He flourished at Greenville, maintaining honor roll status during all four years and leading his junior class as its president. Armed with a MSW degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Valentin returned to Greenville five years ago to serve as Director of Residence Life. He credits Greenville with preparing him to pursue his passion, as well as showing him the importance of establishing relationships. “When I think about being successful, I think about the relationships I have,” Valentin says. “Any success I have achieved is because I've been surrounded by people who understand and encourage me in my convictions and passion.” Greenville College is a four-year accredited Christian liberal arts school with more than 1400 traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree completion students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the college is located in Greenville, Illinois, 45 miles east of St. Louis. Last updated: May
1, 2006 |
