Tonight, the Arizona Western College Foundation is inducting two new members to the AWC Hall of Fame: Luis Barajas and Richard H. Schuman.
The inductions are part of the foundation’s annual Schoolhouse Soirée, which celebrates scholarship recipients and donors while raising money for future scholarships.
The event grew out of what was formerly known as the Celebration of Scholars, which the foundation later combined with the AWC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Barajas and Schuman will be honored during tonight’s event for their contributions to higher education in the region.
"Both Luis Barajas and Richard Schuman are just stunning examples of people that paved the way for literally hundreds of thousands of people to attend college in Yuma and La Paz counties," said Lori Stofft, AWC Foundation executive director. "We are so excited to have honorees of this caliber being inducted into this year's Arizona Western College Hall of Fame."
Barajas has been connected to AWC for several decades. He started out as a student-athlete in the 1960s but eventually took on leadership roles working for the college. These included overseeing veterans programs, construction trades and most notably, financial aid.
Many longtime AWC Matadors recall Barajas during his time as director of financial aid, however. He served in the position for more than 30 years.
In the foundation's announcement on Facebook, various commenters recalled how Barajas helped them find work-study opportunities and kickstarting their careers.
Lupe Lomeli, for example, shared that Barajas hired her as college work-study for the financial aid office and took her under his wing.
"His guidance and mentorship had such a positive impact on my life and career that I went on to work in higher education myself, allowing me to help hundreds of students navigate the college process and financial aid system," she wrote. "I feel blessed to have had such a great mentor and I’m forever grateful to him for the opportunity and support!"
Richard H. Schuman (1926–1993) was a Yuma community leader and one of the early planners who championed the creation of what became Arizona Western College.
As a member of the Arizona State Junior College Board, he helped secure voter approval to establish the college district.
On the foundation's Facebook announcement, Laurel Adair — retired executive assistant to the AWC president and district governing board — shared a little more history in the comments.
"There are/were old minutes to meetings that occurred with community members during the college planning process," she wrote. "Those notes are part of the official record and I was amazed at their vision and bold agenda for students they would never know. Quiet dedicated leadership for the good of future Yumans."
Outside his civic work, Schuman and his wife, Jean Claire, also traveled extensively. According to Jean Claire’s obituary, the couple visited every continent but one through Travel Service of Yuma, a business she owned for nearly 30 years.
Both Schuman and Barajas will be honored tonight at the Schoolhouse Soirée inside the AWC Schoening Conference Center.
Tickets for the event are sold out, but folks who are interested in the AWC Foundation's fundraising efforts can learn more here.
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Reporting for this article is supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation.
Note: Arizona Western College is KAWC's license holder.
