Grand Valley to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

For the eighth year in a row, Grand Valley State University will observe Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating Hispanic-American history and culture from September 15-October 16.

This year’s line up showcases the diversity within the Latino culture, which encompasses many countries, cultures and experiences.

“Hispanic Heritage Month goes beyond the celebration and engages students to examine some of the lived experiences of Latinas in the U.S. and abroad,” said Allison Roman, assistant director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. “We offer this as an opportunity to celebrate, educate and learn something new.”

All events are free and open to the public.

- Café con Leche Networking Reception; Sept. 16, 4-6 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

- Guatemala’s Civil War & Trial of Rios Montt; Sept. 17, noon-1 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

- Latino Civil Rights Tour: Grand Rapids to Chicago; Sept. 23, 9 a.m., meet at Cook Library Center, 1100 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

- Peter Bratt, Filmmaker of La Mission; Oct. 2, 6:30–8 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

- Diversity Brown Bag Series: A Dream Deferred; Oct. 9, noon-1 p.m., room 1240, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

- Rethinking Columbus; Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center, Allendale Campus
    
- The Distance Between Us: Domestic Violence Within Immigrant Populations; Oct. 16, 7-8 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus

Hispanic Heritage Month was first observed in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week but then expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. (For more information on HHM, visit http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov.)

For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/oma.