Once again, Southern Arkansas University will join colleges across the United States this fall by celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 through October 15.
The observance of Hispanic Heritage Month was initiated by Congresss in 1968 with the purpose of celebrating the diverse culture, tradition, and invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latino people in the United States.
Movies, arts, food, round-table discussions, literary readings, and music are some of the activities planned at Southern Arkansas University through October 15 to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.
“We are very excited to continue to celebrate the Hispanic Heritage month on our campus,” said Dr. Elba D. Birmingham-Pokorny, professor of Spanish and organizer and coordinator of the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations at SAU. “We have a lot of wonderful activities planned throughout the month that we think the students and community will enjoy. We are hoping that this program will give people from the community as well as high school students the opportunity to come to the SAU campus and be introduced to the Hispanic culture.”
The celebration kicked-off on Thursday, September 25, with a panel discussion. The topic of the dicussion was “The Hispanic Presence in Arkansas: Challenges and Benefits.” The program was held at Wilson 327 and Dr. Birmingham-Pokorny served as the moderator. Panelists included: Dr. Val Cantú, Vicepresident of Academic Affairs and Student Services at South Arkansas Community College; Janet Derrickson, Spanish teacher at Emerson and Taylor High Schools; Dr. Roger Guevara, Director of Urban Renewal Zone at SAU; Cynthia Reyna, Executive Director, Foundation at South Arkansas Community College; Susana Peláez, retired nurse and Sandra Cotton, Preacher in Camden.
Other events include a Literary Reading from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 9 in Wilson 327 in which students from various levels: elementary, intermediate, and advanced Spanish will participate. A “Sampling of Spanish, Latin American, and Caribbean Cuisines” will be held for Spanish majors only from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, October 3 in Wilson 327. Students will be introduced to the diversity of the Spanish culture vis-à-vis the tasting of a variety of dishes from Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Ecuador, and Panamá.
On Sunday, October 12, a group of students will be attending a field trip to Centennary College’s Musuem, to view Emilio Amero’s Exhibit and attend a lecture given by Ariel Zuñiga over “The Works of Emilio Amero”.
For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at SAU, contact Dr. Birmingham-Pokorny at (870) 235-4206.
Elcia Olivo provided this report.
