2007 UC Davis Fall Convocation

Convocation remarks

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef's introduction

And now we’ll hear from five members of our campus family who will share with us brief personal stories about those who helped shape their lives and how they are approaching the idea of returning the favor by “paying it forward.”

First is Alfredo Arredondo. A first-generation college student majoring in anthropology, Alfredo leads by example and inspires others to do their best.

He has held leadership positions at the Cross Cultural Center, Chicana/Chicano Studies, and as student assistant to the chancellor, and was a finalist for the position of UC Student Regent. He is able to challenge conventional wisdom while creating rapport and earning the respect and support of peers, faculty and administrators alike. Alfredo?

By Alfredo Arredondo

Student Alfredo Arredondo says he has been influenced by the determination of his mother, who became a truck driver five yeas ago and now owns her own firm. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis photo)

As it turns out, I have always been an Aggie.

Not in the traditional sense that might first come to mind, but more in the sense of my parents' legacy. Neither of them completed more than a fifth-grade education in Mexico, much less attended a university like this one.

Both came to this country as unauthorized immigrants in hopes of a brighter future and worked hard in the agricultural fields of the Santa Maria Valley for close to 20 years — this is where the Aggie identity comes from.

I still remember the smell of the freshly sprayed pesticide as I walked to school in the morning and how every so often I would see my mom and her troop through the chain-linked fence and out into the fields as they worked hard to cultivate the crops that fed thousands.

Ironically enough, working from sun up to sun down in the fields does not pay much; in fact it pays the worst in this state. Of the billions of dollars in profit made by agriculture in California, a farm worker only sees about $15,000 a year.

Even with this reality, my mother always pushed for me to succeed and led by example with her determination.

She became a truck driver about five years ago. Her first shipment was from Los Angeles to New York City, a trepid land infamous for the worst traffic in the nation that many experienced truckers refuse to drive to, and she did it by herself.

Today she owns and operates a very successful transport company. She is my inspiration.

A racialized and gendered history tells us that those who were most inspirational have been people like our presidents or other celebrities.

Yet there also exists another history not too often retold of how some of the greatest events that have occurred were committed by common, hardworking people. As for myself, less than one lifetime ago I would not have been allowed to enroll at this very university.

People struggled and it is because of those struggles in the '60s that I, along with other people of color and women, can now pursue higher education. It took ordinary and dedicated people to make that type of positive change.

My time at Davis, along with many other staff, faculty and students, has been dedicated to making diversity and equity better at this campus and the surrounding region, and I am sure that many of you will also continue with the challenge for change.

Struggles continue today and there are always ordinary people with extraordinary passion and heart who are willing to stand up for others so that they too may succeed.

Staff, faculty and students at UC Davis do this every day. That is what is truly important: understanding that it does not take a presidential title or celebrity status to make a difference; all it does take is you.

Alfredo Arredondo is a senior majoring in anthropology.

Last updated Oct. 1, 2007

Questions or comments? Contact Susanne Rockwell, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-2542