Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Campus and in Northwest Arkansas

The University of Arkansas and the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee announce the 2009 Hispanic Heritage Month schedule of events on the university campus. Combining academic lectures, distinguished speakers and cultural events, Hispanic Heritage Month is an exciting opportunity to create greater awareness of the heritage and contemporary achievement of Hispanic and Latino cultures.

This year’s events are highlighted with lectures and discussions with Sylvia Mendez, who was the subject of the 1947 landmark court case battle of Mendez v. Westminster about desegregation. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 2:30 p.m., Mendez will speak at the School of Law in room 339.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins Tuesday, Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which declared independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico had earlier declared its independence on Sept. 16, 1810, and Chile on Sept. 18, 1810.

This year’s celebration is titled “Embracing the Fierce Urgency of Now.” During the kick-off event in the Multicultural Center on the fourth floor of the Arkansas Union at 11 a.m., Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan will proclaim Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 to be Hispanic Heritage Month in the city of Fayetteville. Both Gov. Mike Beebe and University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart have proclaimed the same for the state of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas campus.

“The events that are part of this celebration are for anyone who appreciates the contributions that the Hispanic culture brings to this country and this state,” said Cecilia Grossberger, chair of the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee. “The events this year are all centered around immigration issues such as family separations and border problems. And this theme will go nicely with the University’s Community Book reading of the Devil’s Highway by Luis Urrea.”

Today, more than 40 million people of Hispanic and Latino ancestry reside in the United States, making them the largest ethnic minority in the country and the fifth-largest population among the 19 Spanish-speaking countries of the world. According to the 2000 census, 67 percent of the Hispanic and Latino population of the United States trace their origins to Mexico, 14 percent to Central and South America, 9 percent to Puerto Rico, 4 percent to Cuba, and 7 percent to other Hispanic origins.

The following is a schedule of events for the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration:

Monday, Sept. 15
Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off
Panel Discussion: “Civil Rights”
11 a.m. — 2:30 p.m. Multicultural Center
Reception to follow sponsored by the HHM Committee and LULAC

Wednesday, Sept. 16
Cuentos y Más- Peru
Story times are taught in Spanish and English for 3 to 6 year-olds.
11:15 a.m. — Fayetteville Public Library; Wal-Mart Story time Room
Sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Library and the HHM Committee

Thursday, Sept. 17
Citizenship Ceremony
11 a.m. — The Jones Center
Seating is limited. RSVP at 479-751-9494
Sponsored by the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas
Fun Fall (through Nov. 12)
Spanish Story Time for Families
4 p.m. — 5 p.m. — Springdale Public Library
Sponsored by the Springdale Public Library

Satuday, Sept. 19
Hispanic Caucus Voter Registration Campaign
For more information contact:
Diana Gonzales Worthen, dgworthen@cox.net
Walter Hinojosa, tuhatse@sbcglobal.net

Tuesday, Sept. 22
My Legacy: Sylvia Mendez
Sharing her life, her dreams and her success
11:30 p.m. — 1 p.m. — Jones Center Room 226
Sponsored by the Jones Center
Mendez V. Westminster: Desegregation in California
Guest Speaker: Sylvia Mendez
2:30 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. — Law School, Room 339
Sponsored by the Jones Center, Law School, IBO and LULAC
HHM Border Studies Film Series
Lonestar (1996) written & directed by John Sayles
Facilitators Steven Bell and Kirstin Erickson
Discussion and refreshments
5 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. — Multicultural Center
Sponsored by Latin American Studies

Wednesday, Sept. 23
Campus Day for High School Students
9 a.m. — 2:30 p.m. — University of Arkansas
Sponsored by Admissions Office, Northwest Arkansas
Education Renewal Zone and The Houndstooth Press
Cuentos y Más - Colombia
Story times are taught in Spanish and English
For 3- to 6-year-olds11:15 a.m. — Fayetteville Public Library; Wal-Mart Story time Room
Sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Library and HHM Committee

Thursday, Sept. 24
Annual Study Abroad Fair
10 a.m. — 2 p.m. — Union Connections Lounge
Sponsored by the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange
Travel to Peru, Mexico and Bolivia
3 p.m. — 5 p.m. — Holcombe Hall Classroom
Sponsored by IBO, FIOTA and LULAC

Friday, Sept. 25
Friday Night Live: Latin Soul
9 p.m. — Arkansas Union
Sponsored by FNL & HHM Committee

Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27
Hispanic Caucus Voter Registration Campaign
For more information contact:
Diana Gonzales Worthen, dgworthen@cox.net
Walter Hinojosa, tuhatse@sbcglobal.net

Wednesday, Sept. 30
Cuentos y Más - Guatemala
Story times are taught in Spanish and English
For 3- to 6-year-olds
11:15 a.m. — Fayetteville Public Library; Wal-Mart Storytime Room
Sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Library & HHM Committee

Thursday, Oct. 1
HHM Border Studies Film Series
Sangre de mi Sangre/Blood of my Blood (2008)
Written and directed by Chris Zalla
Facilitators Sergio Villalobos and Steven Bell
Discussion and refreshments
5:00 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. — Multicultural Center
Sponsored by Latin American Studies
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
5:30 p.m. — 8 p.m. — Boys and Girls Club of Benton County
For more information contact Ada Aguilar at 479-633-0044, ext. 11
Sponsored by Ozark Mountain Poultry Inc.

Thursday, Oct. 1, to Friday, Oct. 23
Art Exhibit: About Art, About life: Featuring Pepper & Pepper
10 a.m. — 6 p.m., Monday to Friday
Anne Kittrell Art Gallery, Student Union
Sponsored by University Programs

Saturday, Oct. 3
Peace at Home Family Shelter Sixth Annual Fiesta
11 a.m. — 5 p.m. — Springdale Civic Center
For more information please contact Amy Michaud at 479-444-8310

Monday, Oct. 5
Brown Bag Series: Cultures of the Border
11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. — 305 ARK/ Union Food Court Southwest Dining Room
By Professor Kirstin Erickson
Sponsored by Latin American Studies and HHM

Tuesday, Oct. 6
Plaza de las Americas
Food, music, displays and more
11 a.m. — 2 p.m. — Union Connections Lounge
Sponsored by HHM Committee

Wednesday, Oct. 7
Cuentos y Más: El Salvador
Story times are taught in Spanish and English
For 3- to 6-year-olds
11:15 a.m. — Fayetteville Public Library; Wal-Mart Storytime Room
Sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Library and HHM Committee

Thursday, Oct. 8
After School Workshop: International Kids Program — Peru
4 p.m. — 5 p.m. — Fayetteville Public Library
Sponsored by Fayetteville Public Library & The International Culture Team
Opening Reception: Art Exhibit Pepper & Pepperabout art, about life
5 p.m. — 7 p.m. Anne Kittrell Art Gallery, Student Union
Open to all students and NWA community
Sponsored by University Programs

Saturday, Oct. 10
LULAC: Gala Dinner and Silent Auction
6 p.m. — 11 p.m. Embassy Suites and Convention Center
3303 Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR 72758
For more information contact Manny Gomez at 479-877-9581
Annual Fundraising for LULAC 754 Scholarships
Sponsored by LULAC Council 754

Sunday, Oct. 11
Dia de la Raza/Columbus Day Picnic
Noon — Razorback Garden Pavilion
This event is per invitation only
Sponsored by Mariachis Mexican Restaurant

Wednesday, Oct. 14
Cuentos y Más - Bolivia
Story times are taught in Spanish and English
For 3- to 6-year-olds
11:15 a.m. — Fayetteville Public Library; Wal-Mart Storytime Room
Sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Library and HHM Committee

Thursday, Oct. 15
Community Book Reading
“The Devil’s Highway” With Luis Alberto Urrea
Open Meeting: Freshman Composition & Public
12:30 p.m. — Giffels Auditorium at Old Main
Sponsored by University Programs and Other University Units
Open Meeting: Advanced Spanish Students, LAST & Public
2 p.m. — Giffels Auditorium at Old Main
Main Public Event
7 p.m. — Reynolds Center Auditorium
11th Annual Celebration Heroes de Corazon
6:30 p.m. — 8 p.m. — Bentonville High School, Arend Arts Center
Public Event.
For more Information contact Kendra Einhorn at Kendra.Einhorn@wal-mart.com
Sponsored by Wal-Mart, Noticias Libres, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Hispanic Latino Wal-Mart Resource Group

Friday, Oct. 16
Annual Gathering of the Groups
“The Devil’s Highway” With Luis Alberto Urrea
Noon — Fayetteville Public Library, Walker Community Room
Event open to members of Northwest Arkansas Book Clubs
Registration is required.
For more information or to sign up, contact the front desk at 479-856-7250
Sponsored by Student Activities, Latin American Studies, the English Department, the Foreign Language Department and Fayetteville Public Library

Thursday, Oct. 22
HHM Border Studies Film Series
Under the Same Moon/ La Misma Luna (2008)
Directed by Patricia Riggen
Facilitator Elizabeth Young
Discussion and refreshments
5 p.m. —7:30 p.m.- Multicultural Center
Sponsored by Latin American Studies

Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Thursday, Nov. 12
LA VERDAD SOSPECHOSA / THE LIAR
By Juan Ruiz de Alarcon (17th century comedy)
8 p.m. — Student Union Theater
For more information please contact Reina Ruiz, rruiz@uark.edu
Sponsored by Multicultural Center

Contact:

Scott Flanagin, director of communications and outreach
Division of Student Affairs
479-575-6785, sflanagi@uark.edu

Andy Albertson, director of communications
School of Law
(479) 575-6111, aalbert@uark.edu