Guatemala RPCV Joe Serna Jr., the first Latino mayor of Sacramento in 1999, had a vision of a citizenry where everyone reads, everyone works and everyone votes
Delta to unveil tribute to Serna
Laborer became Sacramento's first Latino mayor
By Jason Williams
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, September 2, 2004
Joe Serna Jr. had a vision of a citizenry where everyone reads, everyone works and everyone votes.
A significant part of that dream will be realized at 10 a.m. Friday at San Joaquin Delta College, when students, political dignitaries and a Mariachi band celebrate the public dedication of the Joe Serna Jr. Amphitheater.
The brick amphitheater nestled near a koi pond and the West Forum building is shaded by trees and is the virtual epicenter for social and political activities on campus.
"You build upon what people leave behind," said Carmen Avitia, Delta's 19-year-old student body president.
"This is something that past presidents felt strongly about and so do I," Avitia said Wednesday from the amphitheater.
STK_N Delta College Amphi Student government members had several ideas about how to honor Serna, who died from cancer at age 60 in 1999. All of the ideas were debated extensively with administrators for more than five years and through six student body presidents.
Avitia said she didn't know Serna personally, but has heard many stories about his legacy in creating a Mayor's Commission on Education in Sacramento and in his leadership roles.
Serna, who rose from his roots as a farm laborer, worked for decades with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers of America.
Serna attended Delta College and became a university professor who taught politics and government classes at California State University, Sacramento. He was the first Latino mayor of Sacramento in 1992.
Serna was born in French Camp in 1939, grew up in Acampo and attended Lodi schools. He is a graduate of Lodi High School.
He began teaching at Sacramento State in 1970. Before that, he worked on behalf of farm laborers and was a member of the Sacramento Central Labor Council. He also served in the Peace Corps in Guatemala.
At Delta, the amphitheater to be named after him is widely known for its College Hour at 11:30 a.m. Thursdays. The program, which began in 1969, is used for student activities, group meetings, special events and speakers, as well as other activities.
"We provide entertainment for students, usually have free food, and provide information about the campus," said Lindsay Noriega, 19, a Delta student and student government executive secretary.
"We try to bring a wide variety of music to campus."
A charter school in the Lodi Unified School District was named after Serna in 2001. Serna Elementary fourth-graders plan to sing two songs during Friday's dedication.
"This is a project that has been a long time in coming with the students," said Maria Elena Serna, his sister and a Delta College trustee.
"Nothing that I say or do will be adequate enough to thank the student body of Delta College" for working on this project for five years, she said.
* To reach reporter Jason Williams, phone (209) 546-8276 or e-mail jwilliam@recordnet.com
