Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Jose Perez L’07 and Luis Columna Honored at Fiesta Latina

Friday, October 13, 2017, By Rachel Friedman
Share
alumniBIPOC Student Success Programs and Services

Each year during Latino Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM), the University hosts Fiesta Latina, a celebration of Latino culture that features Latino cuisine, live music and dancing.  The event also includes the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Excellence Award and Trailblazer Award to two distinguished community members.  This year’s honorees were Jose E. Perez, Esq., and Luis Columna, Ph.D.

“Jose and Luis exemplify what it means to give back to communities and pave the way for younger generations,” said Angela Morales-Patterson, assistant director in the Office of Program Development and co-chair of the LHHM Planning Committee.  “We are pleased to present them with these well-deserved honors.”

Distinguished Alumni Excellence Award – Jose E. Perez, Esq.

Jose Perez

Jose Perez

Perez was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Excellence Award, an award given in recognition of an alum who is committed to advancing the values and goals of Syracuse University’s Latino students, as well as their dedication in enhancing individuals around them. Perez is a 2007 alumnus of Syracuse University College of Law where he graduated cum laude. During his law school career, Perez clerked for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

In 2012, he opened the Law Offices of Jose Perez, where he has experience in many areas of litigation, including construction, labor, employment, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, SSI/SSD and immigration. He is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey and Venezuela.  He has been recognized for his practice in Venezuela by the Miranda State Bar Association, authors a Know Your Rights column in the CNY Latino newspaper and received numerous awards, including the Super Lawyers Upstate New York Rising Star.

Trailblazer Award – Luis Columna, Ph.D.

Luis Columna

Luis Columna

Luis Columna was awarded the Trailblazer Award, an award given in recognition of exemplary leadership, selfless acts and dedication to the Latino community of Syracuse University and local community. Columna is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is an associate professor in the Exercise Science Department in the School of Education. Columna’s research and service activities have focused on improving physical activity opportunities for children with disabilities, particularly in Hispanic families.

His work with the Syracuse University Fit Families Program and his work related to the promotion of physical activity among families of children with disabilities, addresses an important need in the field and in the Syracuse community. In addition to his work at Syracuse University, Columna is the first Hispanic to be chair-elect for the Adapted Physical Activity Council and served on several diversity committees at the national Level.

LHHM is one of four celebratory months coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.  The concluding events for the month are listed on the Office of Multicultural Affairs website. Upcoming heritage months include Native Heritage Month (November 2017), Black History Month (February 2018) and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (April 2018).

  • Author

Rachel Friedman

  • Recent
  • Arts and Sciences Hosts Inaugural Scholarship and Research Gala
    Friday, May 9, 2025, By Sean Grogan
  • Chancellor Kent Syverud Honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year at 57th Annual ScoutPower Event
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By News Staff
  • New Maymester Program Allows Student-Athletes to Develop ‘Democracy Playbook’
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • From Policy to Practice: How AI is Shaping the Future of Education
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Christopher Munoz
  • Kohn, Wiklund, Wilmoth Named Distinguished Professors
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin

More In Campus & Community

Arts and Sciences Hosts Inaugural Scholarship and Research Gala

The College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) kicked off a new tradition for recognizing A&S faculty excellence and achievements from over the past year with its inaugural Scholarship and Research Gala. The May 1 event was held in the Schine…

Chancellor Kent Syverud Honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year at 57th Annual ScoutPower Event

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud was recognized by Scouting America, Longhouse Council, as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year at the organization’s 57th annual ScoutPower dinner. The annual fundraiser is one of the biggest scouting events in the nation and…

Kohn, Wiklund, Wilmoth Named Distinguished Professors

Three Syracuse University faculty members have been named Distinguished Professors, one of the University’s highest honors. The designation is granted by the Board of Trustees to faculty who have achieved exceptionally distinguished stature in their academic specialties. The newly named…

Syracuse Athletics Records Highest APR Score in 4 Years

Syracuse University Athletics continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence, as shown in the latest release of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Academic Progress (APR) data. The University earned a single-year score of 989 (out of 1,000) for the…

SOURCE Enables School of Education Undergraduates to Research, Explore Profession

Through a research project funded by the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE), School of Education (SOE) seniors Denaysha Macklin ’25 and Emma Wareing ’25 are continuing research to investigate barriers women of color face in advancing…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.