Educational Outreach and Student Services
ASU Sun Devil Mineros Raoul O. Torres Scholarship Endowment
ASU Sun Devil Mineros Raoul O. Torres Scholarship Endowment
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This endowment is deeply personal. When Israel was 6 years old, his father, Raoul O. Torres, tragically lost his life in a mining accident at the age of 26 in the Santa Rita open pit copper mine in southwest New Mexico. Though his time was short, his hopes of a brighter future for his children lives on in this scholarship. It is a tribute to his sacrifice and to the countless others from the copper corridor mining communities who worked tirelessly, often in perilous conditions, to provide their children a foundation for success.
The scholarship aims to bridge the gap for students who share this mining heritage — students whose families have contributed so much to Arizona’s rich history with copper mining, but who may face financial barriers to higher education. The scholarship targets students with historical family ties to Arizona or New Mexico’s mining towns with preference for those who have lost a parent in a jobsite accident. Those students exemplify the resilience and determination this scholarship seeks to honor. By supporting these students, we not only honor the sacrifices of their ancestors but also invest in the leaders of tomorrow.
Arizona’s mining communities have a rich history in shaping Arizona’s history and culture. Since the mid 1800’s, these mining towns represent more than just a place of work — they are the cradle of resilience, sacrifice and determination. Generations of Mexican American and Chicano miners labored under dangerous and grueling conditions, fueled by the hope that their children might have opportunities they could never imagine for themselves. Through this fund, my intent is to honor those workers who want educational opportunities for their children.
Impact of donor support
- More learners can pursue higher education. Thanks to our donors, more than 7,000 ASU students have received upwards of $32 million in scholarships with more than $39 million raised.
- More students succeed. ASU ranks #1 among the state’s public universities for its 86% first-year retention rate thanks in part to donor-funded student success initiatives.
- Important initiatives continue. More than $320 million in new gifts and commitments support ongoing initiatives at ASU.
- The spirit of generosity abounds. In the past year, more than 100,000 individual, corporate and foundation donors stepped forward to help the ASU community.
Our family believes in giving back and sharing the blessings we have received financially and through our time."