UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State student organizations and units at campuses across the commonwealth will be holding virtual or distanced events in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated Sept. 15–Oct. 15. Here's a look at some of the events taking place at the University's campuses. Events are free unless otherwise indicated.
In September 1968, the U.S. Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, expanded in 1989 to a month-long celebration of the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
This list will be updated as events are added throughout the month. The University community is invited to send diversity and inclusion events at Penn State for consideration to DiversityEvents@psu.edu.
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY PARK
Sept. 21 — Julio Ricardo Varela, founder of LatinoRebels.com and co-host with María Hinojosa of "In the Thick," will participate in Penn State's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month 2020, engaging in a dialogue about media representations of Latinos in America today. 6 p.m, via Zoom (email sandoval@psu.edu to request Zoom link).
Oct. 15 — Myriam Gurba, cultural critic, essayist, and author of "Mean," "Dahlia Season: Stories and a Novella," and "Painting Their Portraits in Winter: Stories," will deliver the 2020 Hispanic Heritage Month keynote address. 6 p.m., via Zoom (email sandoval@psu.edu to request Zoom link).
PENN STATE BERKS
Sept. 16 — Latin Fest (virtual) — Join the Penn State Berks Spanish Program, the Penn State Diversity Committee, and the Latinos United for Change club for the Berks Kick Off to Hispanic Heritage month. Featuring a virtual cooking demo with Dominican recipes for Empanadas and Morir Soñando, along with a dramatized reading of an original poem by Berks student Genesis Munoz Arias. More information here.
Oct. 16 — Eighth Annual Penn State Berks Latino Forum (virtual) — Keynote speaker Javier Ávila, a renowned speaker, poet, author and professor, will present "The Trouble with My Name," in this forum is for students from all Berks County high schools, as well as members of the local Latino community. Registration is required. More information here.
PENN STATE FAYETTE, THE EBERLY CAMPUS Sept. 22 — Carlos Andrés Gómez is a Colombian American poet, speaker, actor, and author of "Fractures," winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry; "Hijito," winner of the Broken River Prize; and the memoir "Man Up: Reimagining Modern Manhood." A star of HBO's "Def Poetry Jam," TV One's "Verses and Flow," and Spike Lee's movie "Inside Man," Gómez also is widely known for his viral poems, "Where are you really from?" and "What Latino Looks Like." In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, join Gomez's "Majority of One College Tour" during this virtual event. This event is open to Penn State Fayette students, faculty and staff. 12:15–1:15 p.m., via Zoom (contact chad@psu.edu for Zoom link).
PENN STATE HARRISBURG Penn State Harrisburg library will be promoting via social media the PBS documentary series "The Latino Americans," which will teach more about Hispanic Americans and their history. The series can be accessed here.
PENN STATE LEHIGH VALLEY
Week of Sept. 14 — The Penn State Lehigh Valley campus community is invited to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month by visiting our Hispanic Heritage History wall display, located in the Centre Hall hallway. Visitors are expected to follow all current Penn State social distancing and masking requirements.
Sept. 23 — Carlos Andrés Gómez is a Colombian American poet, speaker, actor, and author of "Fractures," winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry; "Hijito," winner of the Broken River Prize; and the memoir "Man Up: Reimagining Modern Manhood." A star of HBO's "Def Poetry Jam," TV One's "Verses and Flow," and Spike Lee's movie "Inside Man," Gómez also is widely known for his viral poems, "Where are you really from?" and "What Latino Looks Like." In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, join Gomez's "Majority of One College Tour" during this virtual event. 12:15-1:15 p.m., via Zoom (link will be sent to students the week of the event).
PENN STATE SCRANTON
Sept. 15 — Hispanic Heritage Month Kick Off Game Show: Kahoot — Students will be able to play the Kahoot Game on their own or have the option to log on Zoom to play together with others. Noon, via Zoom.
Sept. 23 — Carlos Andrés Gómez is a Colombian American poet, speaker, actor, and author of "Fractures," winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry; "Hijito," winner of the Broken River Prize; and the memoir "Man Up: Reimagining Modern Manhood." A star of HBO's "Def Poetry Jam," TV One's "Verses and Flow," and Spike Lee's movie "Inside Man," Gómez also is widely known for his viral poems, "Where are you really from?" and "What Latino Looks Like." In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, join Gomez's "Majority of One College Tour" during this virtual event. 12:15-1:15 p.m., via Zoom (link will be sent to students the week of the event).
Sept. 25 — Penn State Scranton business alumnus Alan Souza, whose family emigrated to the United States from Brazil, will be featured during the National Hispanic Heritage Month virtual kickoff event. Cosponsored by Student Organization of Latinos and Admissions, the event is for current students as well as prospective students in high school. Register through Scranton's Engage page.
PENN STATE YORK Sept. 23 — Carlos Andrés Gómez is a Colombian American poet, speaker, actor, and author of "Fractures," winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry; "Hijito," winner of the Broken River Prize; and the memoir "Man Up: Reimagining Modern Manhood." A star of HBO's "Def Poetry Jam," TV One's "Verses and Flow," and Spike Lee's movie "Inside Man," Gómez also is widely known for his viral poems, "Where are you really from?" and "What Latino Looks Like." In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, join Gomez's "Majority of One College Tour" during this virtual event. Hosted by the University Programming Board at Penn State York. For more information, contact Sarah Guillen, associate director of student affairs, at 717-771-4045 or sjm69@psu.edu. 12:15-1:15 p.m., via Zoom.