More than 125 people crowded into a meeting room at the Dubois Center to Celebrate the Life of Michael ‘Miguel’ Vasquez PhD. Click here for larger image.
FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University administrators, colleagues, former students, local political and nonprofit organization leaders, family and friends gathered to present a “Celebration of Life” in honor of Michael L. ‘Miguel’ Vasquez PhD on Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Dubois Center at Northern Arizona University.
Miguel’s wife Marina receives hugs following the celebration.
The celebration, with an audience number well over 125 individuals, was the first of two events honor Vasquez, who died on Oct. 6.
During the two-hour event at NAU, speakers honored the life of Vasquez, remembering him an associate professor joining the small NAU ethnic faculty, going on to becoming a full professor and teaching a minimum of 12,000 students over 32 years at the university.
He was also remembered for his work outside of the classroom, helping to form the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), working with various indigenous groups in Northern Arizona, serving on the Flagstaff Unified School District Board of Trustees and cultivating a growing number of friends in the region.
Speakers included NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera; NAU Executive Vice President Karen Pugliesi, a colleague of Vasquez from his early years at the university, former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans, along with current United Way of Northern Arizona President and CEO Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta, who also spoke of first meeting Vasquez. Archuleta is currently serving on the Arizona Board of Regents.
The event included traditional Native American and African drum performances, an NAU string quartet, a display about the life and times of Vasquez.
The NAU event was followed by a Community Potluck held at Killip Elementary School.
Please see:
- AmigosNAZ.com — Coconino County approves proclamation ‘Celebrating and Honoring the Life of Dr. Miguel Vasquez’
Photos from the NAU celebrations below by Frank X. Moraga / www.AmigosNAZ.com ©2024
Hunter RedDay performs during the celebration.
NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera speaks about the legacy of Miguel Vasquez.
NAU Executive Vice President Karen Pugliesi, a colleague of Vasquez from his early years at the university.
United Way of Northern Arizona President and CEO Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta shares stories about meeting Vasquez at NAU and appointing him as a founding member of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) when she was a member of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.
T Mark Montoya, Associate Dean for Curriculum and Student Affairs, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at NAU, shares stories about first meeting Vasquez when Montoya first arrived to Flagstaff from New Mexico.
Miguel Vasquez’ son, Jeronimo, talks about Miguel’s deep spirituality his wish to celebrate his life.
Former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans shares stories with Miguel’s wife Marina, before sharing a hug, below.
Miguel’s wife Marina, above and below, who also taught at NAU, remembers some fun stories about her late husband.
District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez thanks the audience for attending his fathers Celebration of Life event.
Photos from the Killip Elementary School Community Potluck below honoring the life of Michael ‘Miguel’ Vasquez, by Patricia Garcia.
