Grand Valley events celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Grand Valley State University's annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration will feature a history lesson on Latinos in Grand Rapids, a guest speaker, and cultural events. 

The events, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and WGVU Public Media, are free and open to the public. 

This year’s events include:

The Origins of Latino Grand Rapids: Community Building and Pan-ethnic Identity Formation from the 1940s to the 1970s

Thursday, September 22, 2-3:30 p.m., 2263 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

Based on public records and oral histories, this lecture will present the ways in which Mexican and Puerto Ricans developed a relationship with each other to make West Michigan their home. From dances and baseball games to festivals, the two groups formed the origins of a Latino community in the 1940s that has continued to the present. 

HHC Presents: Marisel Herrera

Friday, October 7, noon-2 p.m., 2250 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

Herrera, director of the First-Year Success Center for Arizona State University, is a certified coach, author and speaker whose message empowers Latin@ students and youth. She will share her story and how students can use their strengths and personal experiences to be successful. 

Conference on the Americas: Human Rights in the Atlantic World and Beyond

Friday, October 21, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Eberhard Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus

The joint conference of the Great Lakes History Conference and Conference on the Americas will feature a keynote presentation by Héctor Tobar, author of the New Year Times bestseller Deep Down Dar: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine and the Miracle that Set Them Free.

Noche De Los Muertos

Friday, November 4, 8 p.m., 2250 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

The Latino Student Union will host an evening of dinner and dancing, and will educate participants about the history and significance of the Day of the Dead. 

Some events require RSVP; for more information, visit gvsu.edu/oma.