SAN ANTONIO -

The Ram Truck brand and The Chrysler Foundation revealed last week it has provided a grant to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund  — a provider of college financial aid for Latino students.

The $50,000 grant to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Chrysler Scholarship Program is designed to “support outstanding Latino undergraduate or graduate students interested in a career in the automotive industry.”

Officials also noted the grant was announced by Fred Diaz, president and chief executive officer of  Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC, during the International Hispanic Network’s gala and awards ceremony in San Antonio.

Providing a little personal background in regards to the grant, Diaz noted, "I believe what has anchored me through the ups and downs at Chrysler are my roots.

"Despite being somewhat underprivileged in my younger years, I have very fond memories of growing up in a warm, close-knit, densely populated Hispanic community where everyone looked out for each other, respected one another and where humility was and continues to be a cherished value," he added.

"Needless to say, my heart belongs to San Antonio, and we plan to come back home some day and spend the rest of our lives here,” Diaz continued.

Diaz reminisced about growing up in San Antonio during his address, and how his mother influenced his "passion and dedication" towards making his hometown a better place, officials noted.

As a result, Diaz directs his yearly donations to the United Way of San Antonio in support of education, and women and children’s shelters, they also shared.

"As a Latino, I am doubly proud that my company has a strong commitment to diversity and multiculturalism," Diaz said.

And this isn’t the first time Chrysler has partnered with the HSF.

Just this past December, Diaz announced a similar $50,000 grant to HSF during the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fiesta Hispana Gala in Dearborn, Mich.

Further explaining the relationship, officials noted, “The newly announced Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Chrysler Scholarship Program continues a longstanding relationship between The Chrysler Foundation and HSF, which began in 1986.

“Since that time, HSF has received 26 grants from the Foundation totaling more than $800,000; with the last $100,000 being announced in the past six months,” they continued.

Jody Trapasso, senior vice president – external affairs at Chrysler Group LLC and president of The Chrysler Foundation, also offered her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “Inclusion and diversity are core Chrysler Group values.

"The Chrysler Group is proud to partner with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to help expand educational opportunities,” she added.