The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) will host Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM) from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The 11th annual program features musical performances, traditional cuisine samplings, dance parties and compelling speakers. This program provides the campus and local community with a great opportunity to reflect on, learn more about and experience the richness of Latino American cultures in our society.
The month begins with an opening ceremony on Sept. 15, which includes a parade on the University Place Promenade at 11:15 a.m. and remarks and reception at 11:30 a.m. in the Schine Student Center Atrium.
The celebratory month honors Spanish, Latino American and Afro-Latino cultures in the United States. Sept. 15 commemorates the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; and Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively.
鈥淥ne Community, One University, One Family鈥� is the theme for the 2016 LHHM program.听 鈥淭his year鈥檚 theme emphasizes unity within our communities,鈥� says James K. Duah-Agyeman, chief diversity officer for the Division of Student Affairs and director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.听 鈥淭his program is designed to generate new perspectives and understanding about the important role Latinos and Hispanics play in U.S. history and the positive impact of Latino and Hispanic cultures in American society.鈥�
OMA鈥檚 partners in the coordination of this program include the Office of Program Development, University College, La Casita Cultural Center, Community Folk Art Center, Kappa Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha, Fraternity Inc., the College of Arts and Sciences鈥� Office of Cultural Engagement for the Hispanic Community, the Latino-Latin American Studies Program, Point of Contact Gallery and more.
The commemorative speaker is Sarina Morales 鈥�08, a graduate of the and contributor to multiple ESPN platforms, including anchoring “SportsCenter:AM.” During her time at SU, Morales was a member and president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Morales will speak on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. in Heroy Auditorium.
鈥淢orales was an active and engaged student and continues to bring her enthusiasm and engagement as a proud alumna. 听We are thrilled to have her back on campus as our commemorative speaker for LHHM,鈥� says Angela Morales-Patterson, assistant director of alumni and donor engagement in the Office of Program Development and co-chair of the LHHM committee.
One of the most highly anticipated events of the month, Fiesta Latina, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) in Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center. Tickets are available at the Schine Box Office: Students with ID, $5; all others, $10.
鈥淟atino/Hispanic Heritage Month gives us a chance to celebrate what each of our cultures bring to the 黑料不打烊 community,鈥� says Marissa Willingham, program associate for budgets and operations in OMA and co-chair of the LHHM committee. 鈥淭he LHHM committee strongly encourages all students, faculty, staff and the greater campus community to join us in celebrating the 鈥榣a cultura Latina鈥� through all the events and programs on campus. We are very excited for this year鈥檚 events.鈥�
LHHM is one of four celebratory months coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Upcoming heritage months include: Native Heritage Month (November 2016), Black History Month (February 2017), and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (April 2017).
A printed calendar of events will be available in OMA, 105 Schine Student Center. 听For more information, visit the or contact Willingham at 443.9676 or mlwill07@syr.edu.
