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University of St. Thomas Dedicates Mendenhall Achievement Center
10/17/2008
 A crowd gathered at the University of St. Thomas Crooker Student Center on Wednesday, Oct. 15, for the dedication and blessing of the Mendenhall Achievement Center.
The event celebrated the generous $4.5 million gift made by Trini Mendenhall Sosa, former owner of Fiesta Mart, Inc., which enabled the University to create the Mendenhall Achievement Center and the Mendenhall Summer Institute. These programs close the gap for students desiring a University of St. Thomas education and give underserved youth additional access to higher education and funding.
In August of 2008, 25 incoming UST freshman participated in the inaugural Mendenhall Summer Institute, a five-week program that prepares students for the rigors of college-level studies while earning six UST credit hours in math and English for a total fee of $500. After successfully completing the program, more than 50 percent of the program’s participants were awarded grants of $2,000 per year for four years contingent on academic performance. The Achievement Center provides a professional support team to assist students achieve their goals with a facility that offers advising, mentoring, tutoring and counseling centrally located in Crooker Center.
At the dedication, Bishop Joe Vasquez gave the blessing. UST freshman Eduardo Mulanovich, who was among the inaugural class of 25 students who completed Mendenhall Summer Institute in August, expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Mendenhall Sosa and described how the Summer Institute helped ease the transition to college life.
“All 25 of us had a chance to experience college atmosphere before classes even began,” Mulanovich said. “We were very fortunate to have this experience because we were able to make friends in college before we knew anybody else. During orientation, we were the closest group there. The program also gave me a head start to learn the academic discipline necessary to succeed in college.”
Before the crowd dispersed to tour the Mendenhall Achievement Center, Mendenhall Sosa thanked Dr. Ivany, the board of directors and everyone who helped make her dream a reality. She also expressed her pride in the first class of Summer Institute students and offered a prayer for their continued success.
“I left this legacy for our future and for our students,” Mendenhall Sosa said. “I want them to know that this center is theirs, and they are not alone. All you have to do – as the Gospel of Matthew says – is ask and you shall receive. The Mendenhall Achievement Center is there to guide you whether it is for counseling, advising or tutoring. May God give you the strength and wisdom to fulfill your responsibilities as students during the next four years, and may this center be a guiding light in your success.
Why UST home page photo pictured left to right: Eduardo Mulanovich, Trini Mendenhall Sosa and University of St. Thomas President Dr. Robert Ivany. Shown above, Mendenhall Sosa converses with Mendenhall Summer Institute participants in the Felicie Babin Guyemard Memorial Garden. Pictured left to right: Duy Mai, Paula Calero, Trini Mendenhall Sosa and Christopher Dupree.
Why UST home page photo pictured left to right: Eduardo Mulanovich, Trini Mendenhall Sosa and University of St. Thomas President Dr. Robert Ivany. Shown above, Mendenhall Sosa converses with Mendenhall Summer Institute participants in the Felicie Babin Guyemard Memorial Garden. Pictured left to right: Duy Mai, Paula Calero, Trini Mendenhall Sosa and Christopher Dupree.
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