UAG Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary as
The First Private University In Mexico

On March 3 the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara celebrated its 70th anniversary as the First Private University in Mexico. More than 15,000 students, university officials and professors along with political dignitaries and executives from the private sector joined in the celebrations.

Mr. Antonio Leaño Alvarez del Castillo, President of the UAG and only surviving founder of this institution gave a brief, yet emotional, summary of the various phases through which the UAG has passed.

Mr. Leaño Alvarez del Castillo stated, “as the first private university in Mexico, we had no parameters to keep or guidelines to follow yet through the extraordinary leadership of Carlos Cuesta Gallardo and my brother, Angel Leaño along with the vibrant energy of Dionisio Fernández, we forged new educational paths. Presently, Mexico has hundreds of private institutions that have been established under the idealism of freedom of education.”

During these 70 years, the UAG has graduated more than 100,000 professionals that are practicing their professions in Mexico, Central and South America, the United States of America, Puerto Rico and several other countries.

President Leaño Alvarez del Castillo also stated that he is nominating Mr. Antonio Leaño Reyes, Financial Vice President and with 35 years of experience with the UAG, to succeed him as President of the great institution.

Mr. Omar Garibo Cárdenas, President of the Jalisco Student Federation, stated that, “the autonomy of this University is the path which our founding fathers have taught us to follow. We are determined to continue on this path in the formation of professionals with a clear mindset that this is the only path to follow to better serve our country.”

Mr. Garibo presented an award to President Antonio Leaño Alvarez del Castillo in recognition of his ongoing fight to defend the freedom of education, the autonomy of the Univeristy and in his continuous support of the UAG.

Mr. Humberto López Delgadillo, Secretary General of the UAG also gave a brief summary of our University’s history while making a special acknowledgement to the only surviving founder, President Antonio Leaño Alvarez del Castillo.

In addition to University officials, professors, coordinators, directors and students, the UAG was honored by the presence of Ignacio Novoa Lopez, Financial Secretary for the State of Jalisco, Judge Manuel Higinio Ramiro, President of the Supreme Court of Justice for the State of Jalisco and Mr. Jaime Zuñiga.