FANHS congratulates University of Maryland, College Park: Filipino American Studies and new scholarships

We're excited that Filipino American Studies is growing on the East Coast! At the 12th biennial conference of FANHS in Anchorage, Alaska last June 2008, Juanita Tamayo-Lott organized the panel, "Inspiration, Influence, and Intrigue: the Long Reach and Hidden Impacts of Filipino American Studies since 1969," that included pioneers of the first Filipino American Studies program -- Tamayo-Lott and Dan Gonzales, as well as Gem Daus, instructor of the newest Filipino American Studies program in the US. http://fanhsis25.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

During the second Filipino American Studies Gala on February 21, 2009 at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Filipino Cultural Association -- together with many supportive community members and organizations -- launched the Philip Vera Cruz Scholarship and the Major General (Ret.) Antonio Taguba Profiles in Courage and Leadership Scholarship at UMCP. Guest speakers included General Taguba, Kris Valderrama of the Maryland House of Delegates, and Professor Jeff Cabusao of Bryant University in Rhode Island.

FANHS PA President Kim Barroso, Vice President Cathy Madeja and I traveled to UMCP to continue to show support for Filipino American Studies and the inspiring work being done by FANHS friends in the Washington, DC area. In a letter of thanks to the Filipino Cultural Association and all those involved in the event, I wrote:

"I was most impressed by the way organizations and individuals pulled together to host a wonderful gala, create scholarships, and do the pioneering work of creating Filipino American Studies at UMCP. You're all making history on the East Coast! Big props to everyone :-)

You'll find photos on this link:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbsW7Ju3atlEfw "

We hope that there will be a Washington, DC Chapter of FANHS one day soon.

Congrats to all!!