Alumni Daniel Ibarra-Fitzgerald keynote speaker for Latino Heritage

In “Life is a Gift, the Power Within Us, ” the 1989 SIUC alumnus, the keynote speaker Tuesday in part of Latino Heritage Month stressed perseverance and the gift of life.

He talked about his life and the changes in his perceptions as a young child into adulthood.

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Fitzgerald said being admitted to SIU was his only hope of getting as far as he did. He has earned two master’s degrees, is working on a third and was named as one of the SIU’s School of Social Work Outstanding Alumni in 2004.

Growing up in poverty, his childhood was encapsulated in the memory of owning a single pair of shoes and a single pair of jeans he had to wash every three days.

Juan Garcilazo, a doctoral student studying civil engineering, said it was important to hear about Fitzgerald growing up in Chicago and coming all the way to Carbondale to college and speaking of the importance to go beyond a bachelor’s degree.

“Some people get their bachelor’s and call it a day. A lot don’t consider going beyond; it’s like he said opening the door to opportunity,” Garcilazo said.

“When I was seven, I stood in the unemployment line with my uncle translating. I found myself advocating for him. I would ask why he couldn’t have more money or why it would take so much time,” Fitzgerald said.

“I knew that I couldn’t be silent. Who would help them?”

As a young adult, Fitzgerald realized there was more to life than poverty and work in a factory.

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The eldest of two brothers and a sister, Fitzgerald was the first in his family to go to college.

“My family didn’t encourage me to go to school,” he said. “I spent a year and a half working at a steel mill daydreaming everyday. I always knew there was more in my life.”

Fitzgerald’s experiences as a child made him want all people to have fair opportunities. To achieve this, he had to go through the worst. When relating the worst situation to the audience, Fitzgerald choked up with emotion.

“Sometimes I wouldn’t get to eat, and it’s painful not to be able to eat. One day I found a parachute in the garbage, and it was my blanket. I appreciate my bed, food, clothes, everything. I hope no one goes through that, but I know some brothers and sisters are,” Fitzgerald said.

Inequality and stereotyping is an issue in the Latino community, he said. He said some stereotypes are Latino men as gang bangers or gardeners and Latino women as maids and housekeepers.

“You have to educate people, speak up in class and encourage younger brothers and sisters. You are an example at home.”

He said it is essential not only for the Latino community but for everyone to constantly challenge themselves and go for the every opportunity offered.

“Everyone has a mission. Some of you may have glimpses already of the greatness within you,” Fitzgerald said.

When Fitzgerald came to SIU, he did not know whether he could get paid to help people or not.

Fitzgerald works as assistant to the director for the Illinois Department of Children and Family services, and on Monday, he will begin as the department’s deputy director of alcohol and substance abuse.

Fitzgerald said working for the state gives him the ability to make changes affecting people statewide.

“Here’s a kid from the ghetto saying where millions of dollars should go,” he said, referring to himself.

Yesenia Ortiz, a graduate student studying Child Clinical Psychology, said Fitzgerald’s comment about the small number of Latinos in higher education is evident in her graduate classes.

“Sometimes I only see one Latino in my graduate classes,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz said she was touched by Fitzgerald’s experiences.

“It’s one thing to hear someone who studied the same thing; it’s another to relate to someone with the same background,” Ortiz said.