Dr. Max Alvarez, L.H.D. (h.c.) '22 By Alyssa Veronica Chaves
Shortly before Walsh’s passing, the two shared lunch and a conversation about preserving the story of Operation Pedro Pan. Inspired, Alvarez chose to honor that wish. “As I get older, I realize my success is because of the education and love I received when I arrived in this country,” Alvarez said. “The least I could do is pay it back. What I give today is only a fraction of what I was given.”
Barry University plays a central role in this legacy. Walsh entrusted his papers to the university archives, and Alvarez established the Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh Endowed Director position at Barry’s Institute for Immigration Studies. The endowment provides permanent support for the institute’s leadership.
Founding Director Dr. Giselle Elgarresta Rios, daughter of a Pedro Pan refugee, has expanded the institute’s reach. “The diversity of South Florida and the Barry student body is so rich,” she said. “We want to honor and celebrate that diversity and create moments of encounter through art and programming.”
Alvarez’s commitment of $2 million helped launch the Immigration Studies minor in 2023, developed by academic fellow Dr. Sabrina Des Rosiers. Courses in psychology, biology, and social work examine how culture, immigration status, and trauma influence individuals' lives. A popular speaker series brings faculty researchers, attorneys, and advocates to campus to discuss pressing immigration issues.
The institute also nurtures student research. Recent projects examined perceived discrimination among immigrant college students and links between parental monitoring and academic achievement. I
ts gallery debuted with a powerful exhibit on Operation Pedro Pan, curated by original participants. The space will maintain a permanent Pedro Pan section even as new displays rotate, fulfilling the shared dream of Walsh and Alvarez to keep this vital history alive for future generations.
