By snoadmin
As 13 family members sat around a table, Brenda Jurado expressed appreciation for her brother Michael’s condolences while looking at the diploma her brother was working so hard to get.
Michael Delgadillo, 24, of Carson was shot on Dec. 8, 2006, just a month before he was to receive his bachelor’s degree in political science. The shooter has been identified but not caught. Cal State Long Beach officials presented to his family his posthumous diploma.
Doug Robinson, vice president of Student Affairs, greeted the family as they sat around the table. Showing compassion, he gave the Delgadillo family members a chance to share some memories about Michael.
“He loved everything he did,” said Brenda Jurado, Michael’s sister. “He was looking forward to his graduation.”
Michael’s brother, Mark Delgado, is also a student at CSULB and recalled the first and last semester shared with his brother. Wanting to follow in Michael’s footsteps, they both had arranged to take a class together. Delgado wanted to study political science like his brother, he said.
“I loved my brother,” Delgado said. “Everything he did, I loved.”
Other family members described Michael as the guy who “would give $3 if he only had five,” the guy with a “free spirit,” the guy who would “turn the negatives to the positive.”
CSULB President F. King Alexander also attended the small ceremony.
“I am very sorry. He is a loss for all of us,” Alexander said as he handed the diploma to Michael’s parents, Eduviges and Aurora Delgadillo. “We will honor him as an alumni.”
Eduviges thanked Alexander while family members proceeded.
“We are not going to see him walk, but I want to thank [the faculty] for making this possible for us,” Delgado said.
Jurado, working hard to hold back her tears, also thanked the faculty for the diploma.
Other faculty members attending the ceremony included Associate Vice President Simon Kim and Director of Judicial Affairs Steve Katz.
Johnny Jurado, Michael’s brother-in-law, recalled one of the last conversations they had together. Michael was explaining his future plans to go to Europe and continue his studies.
Even though his plans were left undone, “his legacy and memories will keep his spirit alive” his family wrote in his memorandum.
Aurora continues to have dreams about her son. But for now, the family is working very hard with Rick Pulido, the planning commissioner for the city of Carson, to catch the suspect, Eduviges said.
