Southwestern College Confers Degree To Chicano Park Artist Salvador Barajas

San Diego CA

01 July, 2021

4:18 PM

Description

By Debbie L. Sklar, Times of San Diego July 1, 2021 Southwestern College awarded Chicano Park muralist Salvador Barajas an honorary degree in recognition of his contributions to San Diego's Latino and Chicano communities, it was announced Thursday. The artist's four murals in Chicano Park honor Latino and Chicano historical figures and moments, beginning with his 1974 "Historical Mural" that transformed what had been an underfunded community park into a "vibrant tourist attraction," according to a Southwestern College statement. Being a product of the community college system, Barajas says he believes in the opportunities community colleges offer to students, especially BIPOC (Black, indigenous and people of color) and underserved students. He said it is a true honor to receive an honorary degree from Southwestern College because of his strong belief in education and the power it has to change lives. "I think community colleges are one of the greatest things to happen to minorities," Barajas said in a statement released by the college. "Community colleges are crucial to educating and providing job training. You can get a well-paying and high-demand job as soon as you graduate." Honorary degrees are the highest honor awarded by Southwestern. Each year, the college selects a notable community member who has enriched the lives of those around them through their contributions. Barajas was nominated for the honor by Southwestern College journalism professor Max Branscomb. "It is an honor to nominate Mr. Salvador Barajas for a Southwestern College honorary degree," Branscomb said. "He has made a profound and permanent impact on our community, is an inspiration to members of our college community, and is a hero to countless Chicanos/Latinos as well as people who value multiculturalism in our region." The 77-year-old artist was born in Nio, Sinaloa, and grew up in Tijuana. In 1961, he moved to San Diego and attended evening school classes to learn English. After four years in the Air Force, Barajas used his G.I. benefits to enroll at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, later earning a degree in advertising design. –City News Service Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.