Thread: "Immigrant" is UC Merced's 1st doctoral grad

AND JUST WHO PAID FOR HIS EDUCATION???? CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS I BET!!!!!

Immigrant is UC Merced's 1st doctoral gradBy Victor A. Patton / Merced Sun-star05/23/08 23:08:33


Twenty years ago, Ricardo Cisneros never imagined that he would be walking across a stage filled with noted academics, being hailed as an inspiration by hundreds of well-wishers.

It was then that Cisneros immigrated at age 14 to the United States from Guanajuato, Mexico. His family were migrant workers who eventually settled in Fresno County.

Although he had big dreams, Cisneros recalled how some of his teachers told him to settle for a manual labor job.

They thought he would never "go anywhere," Cisneros recalled.

Cisneros proved those teachers wrong.

He became the University of California at Merced's first student to graduate with a doctoral degree at the school's third annual commencement ceremony.

Cisneros, 33, was awarded his doctorate in environmental systems.

He recently completed a dissertation about air quality in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada.

"I never thought I would be the first [doctoral graduate]," Cisneros said. "I was just trying to get my research done."

His mother, Liboria Martinez, 56, stood next to him after the ceremony, beaming with pride. Cisneros also is the first one in his family to graduate from college.

"I'm so happy," Martinez said.

This year, 57 undergraduate students fulfilled their requirements to graduate from UC Merced -- an increase of two students compared with last year. One UC Merced student also graduated with a master's degree this year.

The school graduated three students during its first commencement in 2006, said Tonya Luiz, UC Merced spokeswoman.

About 100 students participated in this year's commencement, although those who have not completed their requirements are expected to finish by the end of the fall semester.
http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/623235.html

So....how is he going to practice here in the U.S????? no SS#.....maybe he can go back to Mexico to practice.....

Originally Posted by grandmasmad

So....how is he going to practice here in the U.S????? no SS#.....maybe he can go back to Mexico to practice.....

I'm sure the Sierra Club will take him on.