Hugo Eyzaguirre
For many immigrants, the decision to come to America, not to mention the process, is a difficult one. Sometimes they are fleeing political or social issues in their home country or they leave for economic reasons. But for Dr. Hugo Eyzaguire, his choice to relocate from his home in Peru was simple; he was offered a great job at Northern Michigan University and chose to accept it.
Of course, the story isn’t quite that simple. He grew up and went to college in Lima, Peru. He received his Bachelors degree in economics at the Universidad del Pacifico and decided to pursue his graduate studies in the United States, where he went to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
He then attended Washington University in St. Louis to receive his PhD in Economics. During this time, his children were born in the United States and began attending school.
Not long after receiving his PhD, he was offered a government position in Peru and returned home with his growing family. He worked for the government and then at a university for over a decade. His daughter wanted to come to college in the U.S. and since they had liked living in the Midwest, they came to look at colleges here.
(Left) Hugo as a child. (Right) High School party – 1976 – Hugo on the far right.
While he was at the Washington University earning his doctorate, he befriended a fellow student, Tawni Tavernini, who eventually came to Northern Michigan University to run the Center for Economic Development. She invited him to come visit campus and meet the faculty and staff in her department. He loved Marquette and the university. While he was here, he was told there was an open faculty position in Economics that he should apply for - he did and was successful in getting the position. He and his family moved to Marquette in 2010.
He says that in Peru, family and Catholicism are the defining parts of their culture. Families are more tight knit than in the U.S. and even amongst acquaintances hugging and kissing are more common. He says that people in Peru tend to be more open about their feelings and beliefs. Regardless, he says that he feels more connected to the United States now than Peru, which is in part why he became a U.S. citizen in 2017.
Though he comes from a country that rarely sees any type of snow or cold, other than in its highest mountains, Hugo and his family have embraced the Yooper lifestyle. His kids became active downhill skiers and he himself loves the outdoors in any time of year. When he first came to the U.S. for college, he became a fan of American football and the Green Bay Packers. Now he is a confirmed Packer fan, only adding to his embrace of the local culture.
(Above) Orestes Del Sanda - Emigrated from
Northern Italy to Peru, late 19th century.
Great-grandfather on Mother's side.
Images courtesy of Hugo Eyzaguire.