A number of events are planned for campus Sept. 12-30 as part of Hispanic Celebration 2005: Let’s Celebrate Latin American Culture, a campus-wide tribute to Hispanic history and future. Activities include salsa dance lessons, guest speakers and films that explore Latin American culture.

“The focus of the Hispanic Celebration 2005: Let’s Celebrate Latin American Culture is to educate people on campus and in the area about the various cultures of Latin America,” said Hispanic Celebration Co-chair Fran Meuser, associate professor of Spanish.

Learning about Latin American cultures isn’t just a lesson in history; the Hispanic population touches much of the world and will continue growing.

“In Michigan, as in the United States as a whole, the Hispanic population is growing in number, spreading geographically and becoming a very important social, economic and political force,” said Celebration Co-chair Ron Rapin, associate professor of Spanish.

The events are sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Center for Student Activities, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of History, Department of Linguistics, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Division of Student Affairs, Fuerza, Honors College, International Students and Scholars Office and the Swing and Salsa Club.

For more information, contact the Center for Student Activities at (248) 370-2400 or csa@oakland.edu.

Hispanic Celebration 2005 Events:

Monday, Sept. 12

• Noon-1 p.m., Oakland Center Fireside Lounge — Opening Ceremony with keynote speaker Francisco Codina, president of Ford Customer Service Division, and opening remarks by Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil. Enjoy a sampling of Latin American food and beverages.

Wednesday, Sept. 14

• 7-9 p.m., Oakland Center Gold Rooms —  “What is Spirituality?” Series: “Missionary Work in Latin America and Other Countries”

Monday, Sept. 19

• 7-9 p.m., Oakland Center Gold Rooms — Free Salsa Lessons provided by the Swing and Salsa Club

Tuesday, Sept. 20

• Noon-1 p.m., Oakland Center Rooms 126-127 — Rio de Janeiro: Yesterday & Today — A Slide Lecture presented by Mary Karasch, professor of history

Thursday, Sept. 22

• Noon-1 p.m., Oakland Center Fireside Lounge — Olé Sports Demonstration
  featuring the soccer skills of OU’s men’s and women’s soccer teams

Friday, Sept. 23

• Noon-1 p.m., Oakland Center Fireside Lounge — The Hispanic Outreach Services —Uniting Language, Culture and Community presented by Brenda Sweeny, Hispanic Outreach on-site coordinator, Department of Linguistics

Saturday, Sept. 24

• Trip to Mexicantown — A walking tour of Mexicantown followed by dinner. Participants to meet at 1 p.m. in OU’s Parking Lot 2 or meet at 2 p.m. at Xochimilco’s Mexican Restaurant, 3490 Bagley. Dinner is at 4 p.m. Dinner costs are the responsibility of each participant.

Sunday, Sept. 25

• Trip to St. Anne Catholic Church in Mexicantown — Hear mass in Spanish followed by Sunday brunch in Mexicantown. Participants to meet at 8:45 a.m. in OU’s Parking Lot 2 or at 9:45 a.m. at St. Anne, 1000 St. Anne Street. Brunch costs are the responsibility of each participant.

Monday, Sept. 26

• Noon- 1 p.m., Oakland Center Gold Rooms — Celebrating the 400^th Birthday of Don Quixote, a dramatic reading by Brian Murphy, professor emeritus of English
  
• 7-9 p.m., Oakland Center Gold Rooms — Free Salsa Lessons provided by the Swing and Salsa Club

Friday, Sept. 30

• Noon-2 p.m., Oakland Center Patio — Closing Ceremony: Fiesta featuring musical entertainment by Gloria Sosa, director of the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Hispanic vendors and free Latin American food and beverages