Full Breakdown
Rector General Ricardo Villanueva Lomelí Sponsors 270 Graduates of Villa Corona and Acatlán de Juárez
9/8/2026, 3:36:24 AM
Core Event – Graduation Sponsorship Ceremony
On June 27, 2024, Dr. Ricardo Villanueva Lomelí, Rector General of the University of Guadalajara (UdeG), acted as “godfather” for the graduating class of 270 students from the Villa Corona Preparatory School and the Acatlán de Juárez Module (generation 2021B-2024A). The ceremony highlighted the students’ achievements in academic, artistic, and sporting competitions and marked the culmination of a three-year high-school program.
Background & Context
For the past 30 years, Jalisco has been the only Mexican state where students can obtain a high-school diploma or a bachelor’s degree without relocating to the state capital. This autonomy is celebrated by UdeG as part of its “30 Years of Autonomy” milestone. Municipal governments of Acatlán de Juárez and Villa Corona have provided ongoing support that helped the cohort succeed despite pandemic-related disruptions.
Data & Statistics
- 270 students received the rector’s sponsorship.
- The graduating class participated in multiple knowledge, art, and sports competitions, earning numerous awards (exact counts not specified).
Official Statements & Responses
- Rector Villanueva Lomelí explained that he accepted the role after receiving a video in February 2024 in which students compiled phrases from *El Little Prince* and asked him to be their sponsor. He described the gesture as “moving” and emphasized the symbolic link between the university’s bicentennial identity and the students’ future roles as ambassadors of the institution.
- Gerardo Barajas Villalvazo, principal of the Villa Corona Preparatory School, praised the rector’s constant presence in recent years and credited municipal support for the class’s success.
- The rector also thanked municipal presidents, council members, and former presidents for their contributions to the improvement of the school’s infrastructure, including the upcoming completion of a fully equipped library.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today I want to congratulate you for not giving up; now we know that we can achieve anything we set our minds to. It is important for me to be a spokesperson for this class that overcame many challenges, achieved many victories, and reaped many positive rewards.” — Valeria Estefanía Jiménez
Why It Matters
The sponsorship underscores UdeG’s broader strategy to retain talent within Jalisco by offering high-quality secondary education locally. By publicly linking the graduates to the university’s bicentennial legacy, the rector reinforces the message that higher education pathways are accessible without migration to larger urban centers. The promised library upgrade further enhances the schools’ capacity to support future cohorts.
What’s Next
The newly completed library and upgraded facilities are slated to open later in 2024, providing graduates and incoming students with expanded resources for continued academic and personal development.
