by Jacob Sorrells, LACIS M.A. student
On Wednesday night, March 19th, LACIS came together with students and faculty from all corners of university life to celebrate the remarkable career of our beloved Associate Director, Alberto Vargas, who will be retiring this June.
During his 20+ year tenure – with a commitment, creativity, and vision second to none – Alberto oversaw the department’s growth into a leading global hub for interdisciplinary research and critical language study related to Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Iberian peninsula. But perhaps above all, he has left an indelible mark on countless individuals, who flocked to the front of the room in droves that night to tell stories encapsulating all the qualities that make Alberto such an exceptional colleague, mentor, and friend.
In the words of one attendee, it was “as touching and inspiring as any tribute ceremony could be…just overflowing with love and gratitude for one of humanity’s finest.”
We extend to Alberto all of our appreciation and best wishes as he prepares for this exciting new chapter. Of course, it’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to his daily presence onsite. Yet we look forward to him remaining an important part of our community for many years to come.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about Alberto and his storied time here at the UW-Madison, we encourage you to check out the fabulous retrospective lecture he gave this past December: “Wisconsin in Latin America: A Regional and Personal Account,” Dr. Alberto Vargas.