Integritas Vitae award goes to social justice activist Al Alcazar
Loyola awarded its prestigious Integritas Vitae award to social justice champion Alvaro "Al" Alcazar, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Education and Counseling at Loyola. Alcazar was presented with the award by Donna Fraiche, L'75, chair of Loyola's Board of Trustees, at the university's annual benefactor's tribute held November 18. Alcazar is a member of several local, multi-race and multi-faith organizations that address in nonviolent and collaborative ways the many problems that plague New Orleans. Before joining the faculty of the Department of Education and Counseling, he had served for 16 years as the director of the Loyola University Community Action Program (LUCAP), an organization within the University Ministry Department, which encourages and challenges Loyola students, faculty, and staff to respond to those in this community who suffer from poverty and other forms of injustice.
Alcazar earned a bachelor of philosophy degree from the Universidad de Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. He was exiled from his native land in 1972 during the Marcos dictatorship, but he went on to pursue graduate work in theology and earned a master's degree in theological studies from Notre Dame Seminary Graduate School of Theology in New Orleans. He also received a master's degree in religious education from Loyola. He obtained his doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Louisiana State University, where his research interests were in cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary, and inter-faith approaches to education and social change.
Alcazar has presented at numerous local, national, and international conferences on topics related to curriculum, nonviolent social change, Ignatian and Buddhist spirituality, reflective teaching, service learning, domestic violence, undoing racism, and other social justice issues.
Alcazar is also a member of the International Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies and the American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies. He currently teaches Child and Adolescent Psychology, Educational Psychology, and Philosophy and Education in the Department of Education and Counseling.
Alcazar and his wife, Nenette, reside in New Orleans with their two boys, Jay, a sophomore at Loyola, and Chris, a junior in high school.
The Integritas Vitae Award is presented by Loyola's Board of Trustees to an individual who exemplifies the qualities Loyola seeks to instill in its students. The recipient is one who has lived a life of high moral character and selfless service without expectation of material reward or public recognition and the courage of his or her convictions insofar as adhering to the principles of honesty, integrity, justice, and the preservation of human dignity. Recent Integritas Vitae recipients include: Donald C. Faust, M.D., A'73, 2003; Hon. Corinne "Lindy" Claiborne Boggs, 2002; Hon. Moon Landrieu, B'52, L'54, H'79, 2001; and Rita O. Huntsinger, 2000.
Stephanie Sears, Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations
