Prior to 1970, few Utah Chicana/o had attended the University of Utah and even fewer had graduated. Low educational attainment and financial hardship were some of the factors which prevented Utah's Chicana/o population from pursuing higher education. As a result, a group of University Chicana/o faculty, community representatives and students felt a need to recognize and encourage those outstanding Chicana/o students who were willing to provide quality service to the community while maintaining academic excellence.