Penn State Berks celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Javier Avila

Keynote speaker Javier Ávila, a renowned speaker, poet, author and professor, will present “The Trouble with My Name” during the seventh annual Penn State Berks Latino Forum on Oct. 16.

Credit: Provided

WYOMISSING, Pa. — Beginning in mid-September, Penn State Berks will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and host a variety of events; each event is intended for a specific audience, including prospective and current students, the campus community, and the general public.

Latin Fest: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m., Perkins Student Center Auditorium
An annual event celebrating the Latin heritage, Latin Fest is free and open to Berks students, faculty and staff. The event includes a fashion show featuring traditional dress, special live musical performance by Latin band Los Monstros, and Latin American dance and food. This event is sponsored by the Penn State Berks Diversity Committee.
Contact: Sharon Pitterson-Ogaldez, coordinator of diversity and international programs, 610-396-6080, [email protected]

Unity Day: Friday, Sept. 27, noon, Perkins Student Center Lawn  
Penn State Berks will hold its Unity Day celebration, an annual Penn State event that brings students, faculty, staff and community members together to celebrate diversity. This year’s event will be a celebration of all cultures with a special focus on Hispanic Heritage. All Unity Day activities are free and open to the public.
Contact: Sharon Pitterson-Ogaldez, coordinator of diversity and international programs, 610-396-6080, [email protected]

Bilingual Story Telling: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3:30 p.m., Lauer's Park Elementary School, 251 N. 2nd St., Reading
Penn State Berks faculty and students will present traditional Spanish children’s stories at Lauer’s Park Elementary School. This is a private event.
Contact: Donna Chambers, assistant teaching professor of Spanish, 610-396-6332, [email protected]

Latino Forum, Friday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Perkins Student Center Auditorium
The seventh annual Penn State Berks Latino Forum is open to students from all Berks County high schools, as well as members of the local Latino community. The mission of the Latino Forum is to empower the Latino students of Berks County to pursue higher education. The forum provides mentoring, inspiration and motivation for students as they learn that higher education is both desirable and attainable.
Contact: Belén Rodríguez Mourelo, professor of Spanish and division head for humanities, arts, and social sciences, 610-396-6171[email protected]

Javier Avila, keynote speaker, Friday, Oct. 18, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Javier Avila, renowned speaker, poet, author and professor, will be this year’s keynote speaker for the seventh annual Penn State Berks Latino Forum. Avila will present “The Trouble with My Name,” which tells the story of his life and what it means to be the American of the future. Ávila’s presentation is jointly sponsored by the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture Series and the Penn State Berks Diversity Committee. His presentation is free and open to the general public.

Culturally Argentina: Dr. Carlos Tapia: Thursday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m., Room 118 Perkins Student Center
Join Tapia for an evening celebrating the the culture, food and music of Argentina. This event is free and open to the public.
Contact: Donna Chambers, assistant teaching professor of Spanish, 610-396-6332, [email protected]

Day of the Dead: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5 p.m., Perkins Multipurpose Room
Penn State Berks will celebrate the Mexican holiday Días de los Muertos, or "Day of the Dead.” The evening will include a traditional Mexican ofrenda, a cultural talk, and Mexican food sampling. This event is free and open to the public.
Contact: Donna Chambers, assistant teaching professor of Spanish, 610-396-6332, [email protected].