Photo Courtesy of Ko Inouye
PURPLE HEART OF GOLD—Nick Aguilar was a hero as a soldier in Vietnam and as a leader at UCSD and the South County. He founded a pair of scholarships for Southwestern College student vets.
By Carla GutierrezÂ
Nick Aguilar is a Southwestern College hero.
He is also an American hero.
He has the Purple Heart to prove it.
And an Honorary Degree.
Aguilar is now a hero to veteran students at Southwestern College after founding a pair of scholarships for students who served in the armed forces.
“Veterans make up less than one percent of the entire population of the United States,” he said. “It’s important for everybody to realize the sacrifices that we make and to provide support and resources for veterans as they transition to civilian life to ensure their success.”Â
Aguilar was a student at Southwestern in 1965. He decided to leave his studies to join the Army and serve in the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1968.
Aguilar said he remembers how his mother felt and what she said to him before he left for Vietnam.
“It was a difficult process,” he said. “My parents didn’t want me to leave.”
After returning from the war, he reenrolled at Southwestern College then transferred to the UCSD. He earned a law degree and became legal counsel at UCSD. During his service at the university he successfully lobbied for legislation that required California to celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11 as was intended. World War I ended on November 11, 1918. The holiday was previous known as Armistice Day.
The Nick Aguilar Scholarship awards two $500 grants to members of the Southwestern College Student Veterans Organization. Applicants must describe their challenges as they pursue their education and actively participate in community service related to veteran services.
Aguilar said the scholarship “is not huge” but is a symbolic gesture recognizing outstanding student vets. Southwestern College Foundation specialist Amy Bosler said the $500 scholarships will be issued each fall. Fulltime and parttime students are eligible, she said.Â
Aguilar is president of the San Diego chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, an organization that has worked to provide scholarships to veteran students for three years. The Association engages with Southwestern’s Veterans Day ceremony by serving serves as color guard.
JD White, Southwestern’s Veterans Resource Center Coordinator, said he met Aguilar at a Veteran’s Day ceremony. He said the scholarships symbolize effort.
“These initiatives remind us that the success of our community depends on mutual support and recognizing the effort of those who have given so much,” he said. “Through organizations like the SD 82nd Airborne and the Southwestern College Foundation, veterans can move forward, continuing to pursue their goals no matter where they are.”
Aguilar served on the Southwestern College Governing Board 15 years ago during the contentious era of former college president Raj Kumar Chopra and was frequently the only vote against Chopra initiatives that were later deemed illegal by the San Diego County District Attorney. Aguilar was presented with an Honorary Degree for his courage standing up to corruption and abuse by Chopra and other administrators and trustees. He was also honored as Grand Marshal of the Bonitafest and has been recognized by veterans organizations for his dedication to former servicemen and servicewomen.
