Georgia Southern University celebrates Latino Heritage Month

September 11, 2018

Georgia Southern University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2018 Latino Heritage Month Celebration, featuring a series of lectures, performances and more. Latino Heritage Month is from Sept. 15 to Oct.15 and celebrates the history, culture and contributions of the Latino community.

Most events will take place on the Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty campuses and are free and open to the public. Highlighted events include:

Heritage Display Contest
Statesboro Campus: Russell Union Commons
Sept. 10-Oct. 3
Students are invited to submit an original tri-fold poster to the OMA within the contest period. Each poster must include information about a Hispanic country’s people, geography, location, economy, music and food. The contest is limited to 15 participants who will be provided with tri-fold poster boards, glue sticks, border, coloring utensils and board paper (upon availability). A panel of three judges will rank the entries based on content, creativity and design, with the three highest-scoring posters taking home cash prizes. Winners will be announced during Lotería Game Night on Oct. 3. For information on submission deadlines and contest rules, visit here.

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 5-8 p.m.
Flag Parade
Statesboro Campus: Russell Union Rotunda
In partnership with the Association of Latin American Students, the parade of flags from Hispanic/Latin countries will be carried by participants beginning at Lakeside Dining Commons  through the Pedestrium to the Russell Union Rotunda. A mini festival including presentations, Independence Day acknowledgements, music, dancing and food will take place at the Rotunda following the parade.

Thursday, Sept. 20, 6 p.m.
Presentation: Frida Kahlo and the Never-Ending Torments of a Mexican Icon in the 21st Century
Armstrong Campus: Ogeechee Theatre
Guest speaker Oswaldo Estrada, UNC-Chapel Hill Professor of Latin American Literature, will trace several literary and cultural representations of Frida Kahlo produced in the midst of neoliberalism, gender debates and the widespread commodification of cultural memory in his presentation. Focusing on contemporary literature, corridos, or narratives told in song, and films, the critic interrogates how and why some writers recreate hybrid narratives that fuse history, memory and fiction. In doing so, he reveals the innovative and sometimes troublesome ways in which authors can challenge or perpetuate gendered conventions of writing women’s lives.

Friday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m.
Film Showing: “Spider Thieves/Niñas Arañas”
Armstrong Campus: Compass Point Clubhouse Lawn
*Rain location: Ogeechee Theatre
Inspired by actual events, this teenage thriller is a unique social commentary on dreams, class and unfulfilled expectations in contemporary Chile. Three teenage girls from a Santiago shanty town set in motion a plan to climb buildings and plunder expensive apartments. All they want is to have all the cool and trendy stuff they see advertised in TV commercials and department stores. Word spreads and soon enough they became the notorious “spider thieves.” This event is presented by the Gracia Roldán Spanish Film Club Festival and sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages-Spanish, Residence Life, International Student Organization and OMA. Shown in Spanish with English subtitles.

Wednesday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Passport to Latin America
Liberty Campus
Step into the world of three Latin American countries with food, music, games and much more. Join OMA on the Liberty Campus for an afternoon of cultural explosion.

Thursday, Sept. 27, 12-2 p.m.
Fiesta Day
Armstrong Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Continue celebrating Latino Heritage Month with OMA and Hispanic Outreach & Leadership at Armstrong for their annual Fiesta Day. Enjoy authentic Latin American food, music and performances.

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (Statesboro)
Thursday, Oct. 11, 12-1:30 p.m. (Armstrong)
Presentation: Achieving the Dream: A Conversation on Latinx Student Success
Statesboro Campus: Russell Union Ballroom
Armstrong Campus: Ogeechee Theater
Join José Cabrales, Ph.D., program director of student success at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, for a series of workshops on Latinx student success inside and outside the classroom. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to partake in important conversations regarding identity, resources and engagement methods for Latinx students.

Thursday, Oct. 11, 7-9 p.m.
Latino Heritage Celebration Awards Dinner
Armstrong Campus: Student Union Ballroom
The Armstrong Campus will celebrate students, faculty, staff and community leaders who have contributed to advancing the Latino student population at Georgia Southern. This evening will feature guest speaker José Cabrales, Ph.D., program director of student success for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

For more information on the 2018 Latino Heritage Month Celebration, visit https://students.georgiasouthern.edu/multicultural/diversity-and-inclusion/.