This letter is being written on behalf of the family of Jose Luis Vasquez, a UCLA alumnus, who was involved in a tragic car accident on July 1st, 2007, in which he lost his life.

For the people who knew Jose, he was a caring friend and member of the community. As an undergraduate student at UCLA, Jose was involved in MEChA de UCLA, the Xinachtli High School Outreach Project, and the Central American Student Association.

After graduating in 2005 with a BS in Mathematics, Jose continued his studies at UCLA in the Teacher Education Program (TEP) where he earned his Masters of Education and teaching credential in mathematics. It was his dream to become a high school math teacher, one that he accomplished. He became an important member of the teaching faculty at Jordan High School in Watts and had just completed his first year of full-time teaching in June 2007.