Stony Brook University is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in October with a monthlong series of events under the theme, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation/Unidos: Inclusividad para una nación más fuerte.”
Stony Brook will showcase the talents and topics relevant to community leaders, faculty, staff and students around significant themes in Latinx culture. The celebration kicks off with the university’s 33rd annual Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, October 5, featuring keynote speaker Miguel Garcia-Diaz. It will be held from 1 pm to 2:30 pm at the Student Activities Center (SAC) Ballroom A and will include student performers, food and other festivities. Garcia-Diaz is interim associate vice president for research, associate dean of the Graduate School and assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences in the Renaissance School of Medicine.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
“Our Latino and Latinx students, faculty and staff are essential to Stony Brook’s research and education mission,” said Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis. “We are fortunate to have a thriving and dynamic Latino and Latinx community at Stony Brook, which enriches every aspect of our campus community.”
The events, scheduled from October 5 through November 1, will feature a mixture of community activities that include celebrations, performances, panel discussions, culinary experiences, a faculty/staff mixer as well as entertainment:
Saturday, October 15, 3 pm: Disney’s Encanto
Staller Center for the Arts: Open to Stony Brook University students (reservation required)
Deep in the Colombian mountains, the Madrigal family possesses an extraordinary secret. This presentation is a collaboration with the Staller Center and the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee.
Wednesday, October 19, 4-5 pm: Panel Discussion – Deported: A Family Divided
Melville Library Central Reading Room, First Floor. Open to the Stony Brook University community (reservation required).
University Libraries will host this panel discussion around the exhibit “Deported: A Family Divided.” It is the second installation of an exhibition that chronicles the life of the Quintana-Salazar family as they navigate deportation policies and their impact on the family.
Wednesday, October 26, 12-1 pm, 5-6 pm and 6-8 pm: Meet Celebrity Chef Kelvin Fernandez
Roth Food Court and East Side Dining (students interested in participating in the competition must sign up; contact Angela Agnello at angela.agnello@stonybrook.edu)
Celebrity Chef Kelvin Fernandez (Food Network’s Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay and FYI Networks’ Man vs. Child) will share his Dominican heritage and cuisine with the Stony Brook community at these events:
- 12-1 pm: Dominican Cooking Demonstration and Teaching Kitchen at Roth Food Court
- 5-6 pm: Student Cooking Competition at East Side Dining
- 6-8 pm: Dine-in Dinner and Meet & Greet at East Side Dining
In addition, the Faculty Student Association (FSA) is offering an extensive selection of special menus, global nights, international breakfasts and guest chefs for Hispanic Heritage Month. Students can visit the FSA website for more information on these programs and meals.
Wednesday, October 26, 4:30-6 pm: Latinx, Latine, Hispanic — What’s the Difference? Community Plática
LACS Gallery, Social & Behavioral Sciences Building, Room N-320. Open to the Stony Brook University community.
The Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) presents this community talk about the cultural differences between the terms Latinx, Latine and Hispanic in American culture.
Thursday, October 27, 4-6 pm: Hispanic Month Faculty and Staff Mixer
United Nationalities in Transcending Ideologies (UNITI) Cultural Center Conference Room in the Student Union. Open to the Stony Brook University community.
The Union Universitaria Latinoamericana (UUL) will host a faculty and staff networking and support mixer.
Tuesday, November 1, 3-5 pm: Hispanic Heritage Month Closing Ceremony and 33rd Annual Awards
SAC Ballroom A. Open to the Stony Brook University community (reservation required).
The Closing Ceremony will provide recognition for students, faculty and staff who have made significant contributions to the Latino community at Stony Brook and feature a traditional dinner and fundraising raffle. Guest speaker to be announced.
Add comment