The City Council of Veracruz, led by its mayor, Ms. Patricia Lobeira de Yunes, presented a commendation to Father José Manuel Asún Jordán, Sch. P. on 22 February for his contribution to education and his ten years as head of the rectorate at the Universidad Cristóbal Colón.
Ms. Patricia Lobeira de Yunes emphasised Fr Asún’s outstanding contribution to education in Veracruz through his leadership of the institution:
“It was his excellent coordination, as well as the accompaniment of educational professionals, that continued to lead this university on the path of excellence, fulfilling its good achievements and strengthening its own standards, despite the toughest adversities such as the pandemic, keeping his team together, but even more, keeping faith and hope… Thank you, Father Asún, for representing Christopher Columbus University with much pride during this time, but above all for continuing to form a selfless and educated community according to the principles of St Joseph Calasanz, with a school for all with faith, science and values.”
For his part, Fr Asún shared his satisfaction at having been in Veracruz for so many years:
“Antonio Torrente, the founder of Christopher Columbus Piarist University, created the motto ‘Educate to serve’, educate to be useful, to change people and society. This motto translates the intuition that our founder of the Piarist Fathers received more than 400 years ago; this inspiration for a primary school that is open to all, in the conviction that education changes people and thus changes society. I leave satisfied with the work we have done together. I think that Veracruz is not only in my heart, but that my heart remains in Veracruz; I was born in Jaca, a small town in the Pyrenees. The years I have lived in Veracruz have conquered me and I hope that I can fly the flag of Veracruz wherever I am, and of course I hope that I can return. Many thanks to the Cabildo for this recognition of the Colegio and the Piarist University Cristóbal Colón through me”.
Fr Asún was accompanied by the Bishop of the Diocese of Veracruz, Mons. Carlos Briseño Arch, OAR; Piarist Fathers, members of the Board of Governors and other staff of the Piarist University Cristóbal Colón; representatives of the business community and the media as well as Fr Francisco Javier Alonso Arroyo, Sch. P. next rector of the UCC.
Edmundo Gómez Martínez
