The Colombian Student Association (COLSA) at the University of Oklahoma was founded in the summer of 2001, by the initiative of two people: undergraduate petroleum engineer student Andrea Alba and Yoana Walschap. Walschap and her group of friends had been organizing events for many years in Norman since her arrival on 1990, such as the Independence Day celebration at Westwood Park, the Novenas de
Navidad at Christmas time, and the Mobile Consulate of Colombia (twice a year). By 2001 the Colombian community at OU was growing rapidly too because of the success of the exchange programs and the need for an association was getting stronger and stronger. The first year for COLSA was very intensive and most funding came from memberships and outside sponsors from the Colombian community. Andrea Alba’s leadership as President was superb and after the first Colombia Night, COLSA was awarded the prize for best ‘small” student association, and best President.
