Carlos Garduno, Former President of the Embajadores

Graduated Fall 2012 with magna cum laude (GPA of 3.95); Completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies with a concentration in Business Leadership Management. 

From the hometown of Guanajuato, Mexico to President of BUA Embajadores

By: Jennifer Moczygemba-Delgado – BUA Communications

 SAN ANTONIO, TX – “I am from a family that went from having it all, to having nothing,” explained Jose Carlos Garduno.  “The drastic shift in circumstances taught me the value of hard work, dedication and sacrifice.

Garduno, who completed his studies at Baptist University of the Américas in December, was president of Embajadores, the university’s honors service organization, his final semester. 

Embajadores, “is a group of servant leaders who promote BUA through donor relations, student recruitment and special events,” sponsor Nora Frost explained.  “We make it our purpose to serve other student-led organizations on campus.  We are leaders serving other leaders.”   Some of the events the Embajadores lend a helping hand to

 Jimenez Golf Fellowship, Eagle Run and annual fundraiser April Follies.

 None of these activities were on Garduno’s minds growing up in Mexico.

  “I was born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico; my father, Rafael Garduno, was a Captain in the Mexican Army which provided him with a very generous income.  We had everything we could ever need and want.  As long as I could remember up until age 11, we had a cook and a maid.  My mother, Teresa Ramirez, and I never worried about anything.  My dad was the sole provider, he took care of everything; we were very spoiled.  Then suddenly, my dad became ill and passed away,” shared Garduno.

 The lavish lifestyle also rapidly evaporated and within a year, his mother took her son to join her family in East Texas.  “We always managed to have enough but we never had extra,” he recalled.

 “Living with my mom’s side of family I went to a Texas school and didn’t know any English, which was very difficult for me,” admitted Garuno. “We eventually started going to church and Pastor James Jarrold VanDorn and Decon James Burchfield became father figures to me.  Pastor VanDorn led me to Garduno to faith in Jesus Christ, baptized me and even taught me Baptist life and principles.

 “I eventually wanted to go to college, but my family had opposing views.  That is when Pastor VanDorn stepped in again; he made it happen for me.  My first I year went to Lee College for my basics.  After a year off dedicating services to my church, I received a call for vocational ministry and in August 2008 I started attending BUA.”

 Alex Camacho, a Pastor in McKinney, Texas suggested he call Mary Ranjel, Director of Enrollment Management and Student Services, in San Antonio, Texas.  Pastor Camacho said, “She will give you the details about BUA and will help.”  Sure enough 6 months into his sabbatical Garduno made the call, did his research and applied.  Two weeks later he was accepted. 

 Soon after Garduno met Ranjel, she gave him his first impressions of the university.  “Mary has been quite the lead on my journey to and through this university,” revealed Garduno. 

 Last semester he graduated with magna cum laude (GPA of 3.95) and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies with a concentration in Business Leadership Management. 

 Garduno continues to strive for a better future for himself and his family at BUA.  Garduno wants to become a pastor or “aid to others in their life journey” by working in a non-profit organization.  He began his master’s work in January with Dallas Baptist University.  Beyond this he hopes to earn a doctorate in theology—and return to BUA as a faculty member.

In addition to leading the Embajadores, Garduno earlier served as president of the Jimenez-De la Cruz Missions Society, as well as Student Body coordinator and Community Coordinator for the missions’ society. 

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