The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities established the HACU Hall of Champions to honor those who embody the mission of the Association through exemplary efforts “To Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education.” The 2017 HACU Hall of Champions inductees were Milton A. Gordon, Ph.D., and Eliseo Torres, Ph.D., who were honored on October 28, 2017, during HACU’s 31st Annual Conference.
Milton A. Gordon served as the fourth president of Cal State Fullerton for more than two decades. Gordon is credited with presiding over the creation of numerous partnerships and programs, including the Guardian Scholars Program, a national model for supporting former foster youth.
He served as chair of the HACU Governing Board, and as a member of the U.S. Army National ROTC Program Subcommittee, the American Association of Colleges & Universities Grants Resource Center and Stewards in Place II Committee, and the American Council on Education’s Commission on International Initiatives.
His honors include the 2011 Illinois Institute of Technology Professional Achievement Award, HACU’s 2010 President’s Award of Excellence, and the 2010 Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr. Distinguished Leadership in Higher Education Award from the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education.
Prior to his presidency, Gordon served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of mathematics at Chicago State University, as well as director of the Afro-American Studies Program at Loyola University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s degree from the University of Detroit, and a doctoral degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
