Texas Border Affairs
By Roberto Hugo González
McAllen, Texas – May 8, 2024: South Texas College (STC) welcomed special guests and distinguished donors Sony and Albert Rego of the Santa Fe Foundation to an event recognizing their contributions to the college and highlighting the program’s growth of culinary arts. . The event celebrated the Rego family’s continued support of higher education.
Dr. Rodney Rodriguez, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Economic Development, opened the event by expressing his excitement about hosting Sony and Albert Rego. He noted the presence of Administrator Danny Guzman and STC President Dr. Ricardo Solis.
“We are very happy to welcome our guests, Sony and Albert Rego. Let’s applaud them, our Santa Fe Foundation donors.
Dr. Ricardo Solis, president of South Texas College, praised the rapid growth of the culinary arts program and hinted at further expansion. He praised Administrator Guzman for advocating for program improvements and acknowledged the support of the Rego family.
“This is a momentous occasion where we truly celebrate the expansion of one of the most unique and fastest growing programs here in the region,” said Dr. Solis. He highlighted STC’s commitment to providing students with quality training and equipment to meet industry demands.
Dr. Sonia Lozano, dean of the Division of Business, Public Safety and Technology, emphasized the hands-on nature of the culinary arts program and the importance of industry partnerships. She introduced Angela Barrera, chair of the Culinary Arts Department, who then introduced the faculty members in attendance.
“Many of our programs within this division are very hands-on, and we rely heavily on our industry partners to host our students and teach them hands-on training,” said Dr. Lozano.
Angela Barrera thanked the Rego family and the STC Foundation for their support and encouraged students to recognize the resources available to help them succeed.
“Students, I hope you know how much we support you and your program. Everything we do is driven by our desire to see you succeed,” Barrera said.
Sony and Albert Rego shared personal stories about their journey in the culinary industry, highlighting the challenges they faced early on. They emphasized the importance of the culinary arts program in providing students with practical training and guidance.
“Our industry is growing tremendously and you need money to get supplies. I want to be a part of it,” Sony Rego said.
Albert Rego added, “You have a very blessed opportunity to have these people, an institution like this, and someone like Dr. Ricardo who cares about expanding the program. »
In a symbolic gesture of their continued support, the Rego family presented a check for $25,000 to South Texas College as part of its involvement in the Santa Fe Wine Classic event. This donation will provide unrestricted scholarships to culinary students and help them with uniforms, supplies and other essential needs.
Dr. Solis expressed his gratitude to Sony and Albert and confirmed that the partnership will continue to grow, providing additional resources for students. He announced plans to further expand the culinary arts program to meet regional demands.
“We are very happy to start here. This is a great partnership and we will continue to invest more resources into this program to ensure you have the latest techniques and equipment,” said Dr. Solis.
The event highlighted the strong partnership between South Texas College and the Santa Fe Foundation, highlighting both parties’ commitment to the success of the culinary arts program and its students. Sony and Albert Rego’s dedication to supporting education and expanding opportunities in the culinary industry was applauded by all in attendance. Their generosity and involvement has created a lasting impact on STC students and the culinary community.
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