Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Feature by: Dr. Aarón Aguilar-Ramírez, Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies, Dr. Mariana Ruiz-González, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies & Dr. John Johnson, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

September 15 marks the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from September 15 to October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month commemorates the enduring presence of diverse Latinx and Hispanic communities from Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain in the United States. As of 2023, the Latinx/Hispanic population exceeds 65 million and constitutes nearly 20% of the US population, according to the Pew Research Center. While it is important to recognize the growing demographic presence of this group, Hispanic Heritage Month also prompts us to reflect on the inclusive nature of the term, which encompasses communities from diverse national, racial, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, each with a unique relationship to umbrella labels like Latinx or Hispanic. Rather than honoring a singular heritage, this month serves as an invitation to learn about and celebrate the myriad ways Latinidad and Hispanidad manifest in the United States.

Events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month have already begun, with a Sazón y Tradición picnic organized by affinity clubs Unidos and Women of Color Voices this past Sunday. The Whitman Events Board has a Hispanic Heritage Month open mic event scheduled for next Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 4–6 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Coffee House. (Flyer attached.) And the third annual Festival de Cultura Viva community celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gesa Power House Theatre. (Flyer attached.)

To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and Latino Diversity in the United States, visit the National Museum of the American Latino website, explore the Whitman Hispanic Studies webpage or check out Paul Ortiz’s book “An African American and Latinx History of the United States.”

Timothy Kaufman-Osborn, the Baker Ferguson Professor of Politics and Leadership Emeritus, was recently interviewed by Scholars for a New Deal for Higher Education about his recent book, “The Autocratic Academy: Reenvisioning Rule within America’s Universities.” The event was titled “Shared Governance: A Bet Gone Bad.”

The Washington State Department of Health will be offering a free virtual training on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 4–5 p.m. for residence hall advisors and college staff members (RSVP). The training will cover opioid and fentanyl overdose prevention, recognition, and response, including how to administer naloxone and how to use fentanyl test strips.

LGBTQIA+ Student Services has partnered with Division III faculty to sponsor up to four students to attend the 14th Annual Out in STEM (oSTEM) Conference taking place October 17–20 in Portland, Oregon. The conference brings together more than 1,000 LGBTQ+ students, professionals and recruiters in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields from around the globe to discuss topics ranging from career development to current research. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 20. (Flyer attached.)

The 2024–2025 Visiting Writers Reading Series begins with a presentation by Lia Purpura on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. in Kimball Theatre. (Flyer attached.) Purpura is the author of multiple collections of essays, poems and translations, including “On Looking” (essays), a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. 

The current session of Semester in the West, an interdisciplinary field program that takes place during fall semester every other year, is under way. Follow @semesterinthewest on Instagram to read updates and see images from their activities, including this fascinating view down the face of a dam

Noon–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Strength & Stretch

Sherwood Athletic Center

4 p.m.

First Meeting: Geo and Environmental Scientists of Color Club

Reid Campus Center, Room 207

4 p.m.

Voter Registration Training

Olin Hall, Room 129

4:30 p.m.

ZFit!

Reid Campus Center Lawn or Sherwood 114

5 p.m.

Muslim Community Dinner

Baker Center

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

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