VSU Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in October

VALDOSTA - The Department of Modern and Classical Languages will celebrate Hispanic Heritage by hosting a series of events during Oct..

According to www.hispanicheritagemonth.org, observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on Oct. 15.

In addition to the events listed below, students in the Latin American Student Association at Valdosta State University are decorating a Chiva bus to be used in the homecoming parade and at future events. Chivas are old artisan buses used for public transport in Colombia and other Latin-American countries in rural areas. They are now used for celebrations, tourist events, parades and other events because they project positive images and values.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages, the Latin American Student Association, Sigma Delta Pi and Azalea International - Latin Group worked together to create a fully loaded scheduled of events in celebration of Hispanic Heritage.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/mcl/hhm09.shtml for a complete list of activities and a downloadable calendar. Also visit http://chivastour.us/ for more information on chivas.


Thursday, Oct. 1
7:30-9 p.m. - Latin Dancing
 Dr. Ellen Friedrich, UC Cypress Room

Friday, Oct. 2
6:30 p.m. - Hispanic Heritage Dance and Celebration, First Friday: Downtown Valdosta, Bennie’s Alley


Tuesday, Oct. 6
7 p.m. - Gender Issues on the U.S. and Mexico Border with Dr. Isarema Coronado of Women's and Gender Studies, Bailey Auditorium


Wednesday, Oct. 7
7 p.m. - Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibit, Equal Opportunity building on North Patterson Street
* Hosted by the Latin American Student Association, the exhibit will include a few featured artists and a brief presentation on famous Hispanic people. 


Thursday, Oct. 8
7- 9:30 p.m. - CheGuevara and The Motorcycle Diaries: Film and Moderated Discussion with
Dr. Deborah Hall, assistant professor of English, UC Theater

Monday, Oct. 12
7 p.m.
 - "Columbus' Legacy in Discovering the Americas" presented by Dr. Cristóbal Serran-Pagan
of The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Bailey Science Center Auditorium
* Discuss the historical context of Christopher Columbus prior to his discovery of the Americas and analyze of the pros and cons of Columbus's legacy, especially the role of Christianity in the conversion of indigenous people, the subsequent exploitation of the land and its people, the culture of mestizaje, and the human trafficking of slaves.

Thursday, Oct. 22
7-8:30 p.m. - Our Lady of Guadalupe: Patroness of the Americas with Padre Angel of San José Catholic Church, UC Theater

Monday Oct. 26
6:00 p.m. - Sigma Delta Pi Initiation for Spanish majors, with
Dr. Luis Bejarano


Tuesday Oct. 27
7-8:30 p.m. - Study Abroad Memories and Future Opportunities, with Dr. Ransom Gladwin, UC Theater

Wednesday Oct. 28
Noon - Discussion: Cross Cultural Research with Dr. Luis Bejarano, West Hall room 138

Thursday Oct. 29
7:30-9 p.m. - Latin Dancing with Dr. Ellen Friedrich, Las Banderas Restaurant