Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at CMU

Central Michigan University is poised to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with a month-long lineup of events organized by Multicultural Academic Student Services.

“These events create an atmosphere where Latine students can celebrate their cultures while at the same time inviting the entire university community to participate so we can share our cultures with them,” said Alejandro Gradilla, assistant director for Latinx/Hispanic American Student Engagement at CMU.

The month of events kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 15, with keynote speaker Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez, executive director of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, speaking on the importance of higher education in the Hispanic community.

Gradilla said many of the events are put on by Latine students themselves who want to share their culture with others. Additional events include those led by registered student organizations, Greek Life, Program Board and various campus partners. View the full list of events:

• 9/15 - Keynote Speaker: Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez, Bovee UC 302 Auditorium at 6 p.m.
• 9/16 - La Gente Welcome Back Carne Asada, Wesley Church at 6 p.m.
• 9/19 - Our History: Raggaeton Music, Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108 at 6 p.m.
• 9/20 - Film: Under the Same Moon, Bovee UC Auditorium 302 at 6 p.m.
• 9/22 - Zumba, MAC Gym in the Student Activity Center at 6 p.m.
• 9/23 - Arroz Around the World, Wesley Church at 3 p.m.
• 9/24 - Low-Rider Car Show, Location to be determined from Noon-3 p.m.
• 9/27 - Game Night: Loteria (Mexican Bingo), Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108 at 6 p.m.
• 9/28 - Guest Speaker: Gabriel Ramirez, Opperman Auditorium in Park Library at 6:30 p.m.
• 10/3 - Make Homemade Tortillas, Student Activity Center 204 at 6 p.m.
• 10/6 - Activity: Papel Picado (Mexican Folk Art), Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108 at 6 p.m.
• 10/7 - Annual Career Awareness Information Session, Bovee UC Auditorium 302 at 2 p.m.
• 10/10 - Our History: Bachata Music, Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108 at 6 p.m.
• 10/12 - Our History: Ballet Folklorico, Powers Ballroom at 6:30 p.m.
• 10/13 - Latine Social Night: Music, Dancing and Fun!, MAC Gym in the Student Activity Center at 6 p.m.
• 10/14 - La Fogata y Legendas Urbanas, Wesley Church at 6 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public. Follow along on Facebook all month long for updates and highlights.

“We want to show all students that they belong here and provide educational opportunities for the entire community,” said Gradilla.