BVU Alum Inducted Into Iowa Latino Hall of Fame
El Salvador native praised for willingness, skill in serving her community
Buena Vista University graduate Emilia Marroquin, of Storm Lake, was one of six Iowans inducted into the Latino Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Oct. 15 at the Des Moines Art Center.
Marroquin earned a bachelor’s degree in human services at BVU in 2017. The native of El Salvador serves as a Regional Recruiter with the Department of Education’s Migrant Program. She’s a member of the Storm Lake Board of Education, a member of SALUD, and a leader within the Storm Lake community.
“This recognition will continue to help us open doors for others to serve, to volunteer, to do what is in your heart for others.”
Emilia Marroquin, BVU 2017 graduate
“This honor is not for me, but, rather, it is for all of Storm Lake,” she says. “This recognition will continue to help us open doors for others to serve, to volunteer, to do what is in your heart for others.”
Marroquin lauded the people of Storm Lake for their trust and openness. “I’d never served my community in ways like this in El Salvador or in California,” she says. “The people here discovered who I was and the ways in which I could serve our community.”
The Iowa Latino Hall of Fame was established by the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs to recognize, honor, and celebrate the efforts of outstanding Latino leaders and community advocates. The celebration was held during National Latino & Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.
“My thanks to the nomination committee and to those who took the time to write letter of support for me,” Marroquin adds.
Marroquin was joined in the celebration by her family, which includes her husband, Douglas, and their children Arminda, Naomi, Briana, and Matthew, a 2022 BVU graduate.