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US sues NY state officials over immigration enforcement; NM's national monuments face new development threats from Trump; NC community colleges get 'boost' to bring more students to high-demand jobs; Trump's resignation plan for federal workers can move forward; Advocates push for program to decrease wildlife collisions in VA.

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Deregulation raises environmental and public health concerns, national monuments face potential risks, political neutrality in education sparks protests, and Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation fuels controversy.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

ASU alum traces lineage to Mexican pioneer who helped establish the university

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Thursday, September 26, 2024   

Correction: Sánchez Sotelo would go on to contribute money in exchange for the land used to build ASU. An earlier version of this article stated she sold the land. (07:53 a.m. PST., Sept. 26, 2024)


It took one Arizona State University alumna years to find out she is a descendant of a Mexican pioneer, who was foundational in the creation of ASU.

Sonia Reyes Corella, 55, is hoping to establish a scholarship to honor her third great-grandmother, Manuela Sánchez Sotelo. Reyes Corella says Sánchez Sotelo made her way to Tempe with her family for irrigation work. Sánchez Sotelo and her husband eventually purchased 160 acres of land near present day Rural Road and east University Drive. She would go on to contribute money in exchange for the land used to build the university.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, Reyes Corella wants folks to know that Latinos have been an integral part of ASU's history, something she hopes to further cultivate with her proposed scholarship.

"But if you know, 'Hey, we've been here, we've been here the whole time, we've been here since before it started - this is our school, this is our town, maybe it's not so scary that way.' If I knew that I would've come in feeling completely different if I would've known this woman had helped to found ASU," she said.

Over the years, Reyes Corella has mentored several ASU students, something she said simply was not an option during her studies. She is now working to establish a Los Diablos alumni chapter scholarship that will help a student cover the costs of books and supplies. She says the scholarship recipient would have to give a presentation on Sánchez Sotelo to honor her legacy.

Today the university is designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Department of Education, for having over 25% of undergraduates identify as Hispanic or Latino.

A Phoenix native, Reyes Corella said she came to find out about her connection to Sánchez Sotelo through an uncle, whom she calls the historian of the family. As she learned about Sánchez Sotelo's life, she said she was shocked to know they shared so many similarities such as being single mothers, property owners as well as supporters of education.

"I mean, I thought I was doing something kind of new in the family - not at all. People will ask me, 'How did you do it?' And I never really had a good answer, until I found out about her," Reyes Corella explained.

Reyes Corella added that as a first-generation college graduate and a Latina, she recognizes her higher education journey was impacted by Sánchez Sotelo and is eager to honor her by helping enable access to deserving and qualified students.

Disclosure: ASU Media Relations & Strategic Communications contributes to our fund for reporting on Education, Native American Issues, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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