Visit the AHA's Official website to learn more about the Association and how you can be more involved!
AHA Scholarships now available! Over $15,000 will be awarded! For applications and more information, see the scholarships portion of our website here.
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Mission Statement The mission of the AHA at the University of Florida is to foster alumni participation among different sectors of Hispanic alumni and friends.
The Alumni Association is responsible for a network of Gator Clubs in the state of Florida, across the United States and internationally. These clubs are composed of alumni and friends who represent the University of Florida in their communities. Gator Clubs sponsor and conduct a wide variety of programs and events in support of the University of Florida. The University of Florida has alumni in every state and in more than 100 foreign countries. The Alumni Association is actively involved with the recruitment of superior students to attend the University and with financial assistance programs in the form of scholarships.
The Association of Hispanic Alumni hold an annual event called the Gator Guayabera Guateque each year in order to raise money to donate to the Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures and to fund student scholarships.
For More information on The Association of UF Alumni and Gator Clubs across the nation, please visit the UF Alumni homepage.
Who are the AHA?
The Association of Hispanic Alumni of the University of Florida (AHA) is an Alumni Group of Gator Alumni who are Hispanic or have a Hispanic/Latin cultural background. The AHA is considered a special interest group under the UF National Alumni Association. The goal of the AHA is to promote the University of Florida and assist current UF students to continue developing their commitment to UF as well as their pride in the Hispanic Culture. The AHA has, and is currently sponsoring fundraising events to gather funds for scholarships for students in UF, as well as awarding an annual Gran Caiman award that highlights a Hispanic Gator who has represented UF in a very positive and successful manner. This includes contributions to the community, the professional or academic field, and all those people he/she serves in whatever endeavor he/she is involved. The one criteria that is mandatory: a passionate and fierce pride in the University of Florida.
What is a Guateque?
A Guateque (goo-ah-tay-kay) is a social gathering in the countryside that originated in Cuba. There is usually music, dancing, and singing, especially of decimas.
What is a Guayabera?
The Guayabera (goo-ah-yah-bay-rah) is a mens shirt that originated in Cuba. They are made with light material and are worn outside the pants. Some Guayaberas are embroidered.
Current Executive Board
Ignacio Abella, President and Board Chairman
Carlos Hondal, VP, Treasurer & Director
Juan Luis Porro, VP & Director
Lourdes Abella-Levy, Director
Cesar Perez, Director
Amalia Alvarez, Director
Fernando Rodriguez, Director
Henry Escofet, Director
Past Presidents
Amalia Alvarez
Pedro Martin
Fernando Figueredo
Mario Martinez Malo
Cesar Perez
Gator Club of Miami Liason Officer
Marcelo Cortes
Host Committee
Ignacio J. Abella
Lourdes Abella-Levy
Manuel Alonso-Poch
Amalia Alvarez
Armando Olmedo Arias
Julio and Maria de Armas Aenlle
Francisco and Sigrid Bango
John Cantillo
Alex Cornelio
Marcelo Cortes
Humberto Cortina
Enrique Escofet
Jerry Fernandez
Manny Fernandez
Juan Galan
Carlos Hondal
Lily Lorenzo Luaces
Alberto and Maggie Manrara
Arsenio Milian
Armando Olmedo
Cesar Perez
Danny Ponce
Juan L. Porro
Roger Puerto
Fernando R. Rodriquez
Ricardo J. Souto
Sofia Souto
Mark Trowbridge