ASU's Office of Multicultural Affairs announces Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Oct. 15, 2008 -- Arkansas State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs announces its Hispanic Heritage Celebration, beginning Monday, Oct. 20 and ending Friday, Oct. 24. The theme of this year’s event is “We are one community,” and several events are planned.

ASU’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration marks the anniversary of independence of several Latin American countries. Sept. 15 was the anniversary of independence of five countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico declared its independence from Spain on Sept. 16, and Chile declared its independence on Sept. 18. ASU’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration brings the savor of Hispanic culture to ASU, where faculty, staff, and students come together to celebrate and to reflect on the unique and vivid culture of the largest minority group in the United States.

The first evening event of Hispanic Heritage Celebration, “Hispanics in Higher Education, Part I: Financial Funding,” takes place Monday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. in the Mockingbird Room of the ASU Student Union/Reng Student Services Center.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 12 noon-2 p.m., free salsa dance lessons will be offered in the center court area of the Student Union. Tuesday evening’s event, “Hispanics in Higher Education, Part II: Admissions,” will be held at 311 W. Huntington Avenue, Jonesboro, at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the evening event will be a discussion, “Dying to Get In: Immigration—the U.S. and Mexican border.” This event will be held in Centennial Hall, ASU Student Union/Reng Student Services Center, at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, the “Union Fiesta,” featuring food, art, and Latin music will be held at 5 p.m., Heritage Plaza, Student Union.

On Friday, Oct. 24, the evening event is a Hispanic-themed dinner in Acansa Dining Hall, ASU Student Union, sponsored by Sodhexo.

For more information, contact Kimberley Johnson, assistant dean of students, at (870) 972-2055.           

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