Latinx Heritage Month

Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta Patria Exhibit 

September 16–18, 2025 | 10:00am – 3:00pm

Location: Seguin Heritage Museum, 114 N. River Street, Seguin, Texas

Community members are invited to visit the heritage museum to see the exhibit, which will display the importance of Diez y Seis de Septiembre, how the Seguin community used to commemorate the day, and traditional vestuario. You will find a QR code on the poster that will allow you to hear the esteemed, Profesor Benjamin Cruz Ascencio recite “El Grito”. El Grito de Dolores, or “the Cry of Dolores”, is a speech that was given by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 16, 1810, that called for Mexicans to fight for independence from Spain.

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First Gen Networking Lunch Mixer

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 12:00 – 1:00pm

Location: ASC – Conference Room A/B

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 Brown Cultural Series – Harvey Guillén Lecture

Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:00pm

Location: Jackson Auditorium

Guillén appears as the first installment in this year’s Brown Cultural Event Series, and his lecture will be on the topic of finding confidence, balancing work and life, queer representation, and breaking stereotypes as a plus-sized actor in Hollywood. His speech will be followed by a meet-and-greet in the lobby. The event, sponsored by the Jessie S. and Jack Harold Upton Brown Cultural Enrichment Endowment Fund, is free and open to the public.

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Chapel Performance by Mariachi Oro y Negro

Friday, September 26 10:00-10:20 a.m. 

Chapel of Abiding Presence 

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La Tierra Habla and Tríptico of Light Exhibits (August 28 – November 21, 2025) 

Opening Ceremony: Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 4:00 – 6:00pm

Location: TLU Bloomberg Memorial Library Gallery

Presented by Teatro De Artes Cultural Arts Center & the Center for Mexican American Studies

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Possible Events

Chapel with Guest Speaker

Friday, October 10, 2025 – 10:00am

Guest Chapel Speaker: Dr. Yvonne De la Rosa

Executive Director – Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin

 

Pael – Hispanic Chamber of Commerce & Mary Louise Hernandez – “Economic Development”:

Moderated by Dr. Fernando Garza

Date TBD

The observance takes place during National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. HSIs are defined as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic student enrollment. TLU’s student body is currently 44% Hispanic with more than half of all Bulldogs identifying as first-generation or the first person in their family to attend college.

Meet the Artist: Joe Garcia III: “Art Comes to Life” Photo Exhibit | September 12th | 4:00–6:00 PM | Scheuch Fine Arts Building

A brand-new art exhibit is opening in Schuech Fine Art Center’s Annetta Kraushaar Gallery this Thursday. Austin artist Joe García III says his art is influenced by a variety of cultures and subcultures.

The exhibit, called Joe García’s Art Comes to Life, is sponsored by TLU’s Mexican American Student Association (MASA) and will run from September 12 through November 25. An opening reception will be held on Thursday from 3:30-6 p.m. and all are welcome!

La Familia Picnic and Party | September 14th | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM at TLU Alumni Plaza & Langner Parking Lot

Join MASA and CMAS for a fun-filled family picnic and party on Saturday, September 14th!

You’ll enjoy delicious free food, bounce houses, water activities, and a variety of vendors to browse. We’ve got a 25-foot screen and will be streaming football, so bring your family and come on over!

September 17 | 1:00-1:45 pm PT

Addressing the “All Students” Question in your HSI with Dr. Melissa Salazar and Jasmine Nunley

Join us for this FREE webinar, the first in our series of Burning Questions Webinars that address some common issues that arise when doing HSI work.

In this inaugural webinar, we will explore a thought-provoking burning question that we often hear: Why should we focus on and center our Latinx/e students? What about “all students”?

We will discuss the different ways we go about answering this question, the different reasons it comes up, and offer you ideas on how you might address this question in your own context. Bring your colleagues: the information is geared towards anyone working in an emerging or current HSI (and much of the discussion is relevant to MSIs as well!) See you there!

Meet the Artist: Debora Keutzpal Vasquez | September 19th | 6:00 PM | Teatro de Artes Cultural Art Center

Teatro is excited to bring Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez to Teatro’s Cultural Arts Center on Thursday, September 19, 2024, 6PM for a Meet & Greet along with presentation of her work. Debora is currently the artist in residence for the NEA Mexican American/ Tejano visual arts installment. This meet and greet along with presentation will be a chance for the Seguin community to get to know Debora, her work, and her journey of becoming the artist she is today.

This will also be an opportunity for the community to learn more about the NEA Our Town project. The evening will also include a small reception and Debora will be selling her artwork as well. Community members may come into Teatro to view Debora’s paintings starting on September 9, 2024 as a part of our National Hispanic Heritage month exhibits.

Debora Kuetzpal is a multimedia Xicanx activist, educator, and business owner from San Antonio, Tx. She earned her Bachelor of Arts-2D and 3-D from Texas Women’s University, and her Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She now is an associate professor and the head of the visual arts program at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio Tx. She has also received a painting certification from the School of the Chicago Art Institute and a certificate in traditional culture from the Universidad Nahuatl in Ocotepc, Mexico. Her artistic concentration and research remain in exploring the perception of cultural hybridity. The three main foci are 1.) Postmodern and global approaches to contemporary art, 2.) Indigenous (i.e. Native American, Chicana, and African Spirituality) Process concerning ecological balance through traditional medium and, 3.) Xicanx feminist perspective in creating characters that contribute to academic tenacity through multi-generational relationships. Throughout her career, she has felt it is important to give students and community a more objective perspective to the inequity of the world, especially the art world. Debora’s life mission is to offer students and the community a Xanax feminist perspective to economic sustainability in the arts.

Chapel with Leslie Flores | September 20th | 10:00 AM- 10:20 AM | Chapel

Leslie Flores, a proud native of the Rio Grande Valley and alumna of Texas Lutheran University (TLU), currently serves as the Director of Title IX Services and Equity Compliance at TLU.

Her message will celebrate the start of Latinx Heritage Month with a brief reflection on the deep connections between identity, community, and pride in her roots.

September 23 | 12-12:45 pm PT

Get to know the ESCALA’s HSI Practitioner Conocimientos Series (PCS) with Suzi Reyes and Debbie Reyes

This one’s for all our dedicated HSI staff! Familiarize yourself with ESCALA’s Practitioner Conocimientos Series (PCS). This program is compromised of 6 asynchronous of research-backed frameworks and conocimientos (knowledge) to help you become a better HSI practitioner. Learn how to utilize the program in a cohort model among large groups of staff and some best practices to increase engagement. Stay until the end of the webinar to receive a discount code* to register for one or more modules!

First Gen Lunch | September 24th | 11:55 AM-12:45 PM | Dunne Conference Room

Join us in Dunne Conference room. Fajita lunch for all First Gen faculty, staff and students. We encourage you to ask our staff and faculty questions about being first generation.

October 3rd | 9-9:45 am PT

Teaching STEM in Hispanic Serving Institutions with Dr. Margarita Otero-Diaz

This one is for all our higher education STEM practitioners serving Latinx/é students! Learn more about ESCALA’s STEM-X Course in Culturally Responsive Practices for STEM-HSI Faculty This research-based course, designed and facilitated by STEM faculty in 2 and 4-year HSIs, features practical examples of high-impact practices that disproportionately benefit Latinx/é students. We will share data from our course pre and post surveys to show how the course transforms classroom experiences for Latinx/e students, and empowers STEM practitioners into change agents at their institutions.

Meet the Artist: Ruben Esquivel | October 3rd | 6:00 PM | Teatro de Artes Cultural Art Center

Teatro is excited to bring Ruben Esquivel to Teatro’s Cultural Arts Center on Thursday, October 3, 2024, 6PM for a Meet & Greet along with presentation of his work. Ruben is currently the artist in residence for the NEA Native American/Indigenous visual arts installment. This meet and greet along with presentation will be a chance for the Seguin community to get to know Ruben, his work, and his journey of becoming the artist he is today. This will also be an opportunity for the community to learn more about the NEA Our Town project. The evening will also include a small reception and Ruben will be sharing all about his artwork and where you can see it throughout Texas. He was just recently named Best of Austin 2024 Best Muralist by the Austin Chronicle.

Ruben Esquivel is a native of Austin with ties to Seguin. As a young man he recalls spending lots of time in Seguin fishing and swimming on the Guadalupe River with his family on trips from Austin. He comes to us with 11 years of experience in creating art that honors the experiences and contributions of historically underrepresented communities. He brings passion and expertise to this project along with a vast curriculum vitae of projects to include mural commissions such as Old Austin, Alma Ancestral, Jayce and Lexi Healing Uvalde Mural Projects, Creek Show Title Piece Installation, Frida and Lotus Flower Dreams Private Commissions, and most recently the Native American Heritage Bus Wraps Design for Capital Metro to name a few. Ruben expressed the following, “I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the NEA Our Town Artist in Residence. It is a privilege to tell the rich and diverse stories of Seguin’s indigenous communities through my work. I look forward to creating a piece that celebrates their history, resilience, and enduring legacy in this vibrant city.”

Chapel with Mariachi Oro y Negro | October 4th | 10 a.m.

Join TLU’s mariachi band for a special chapel performance. Mariachi Oro y Negro is dedicated to the study and performance of traditional genres of mariachi music including but not limited to sones, ranchera, huapango, bolero, polka ect.

Our members are immersed in learning more about Latin culture through music; we welcome members of all backgrounds and musical knowledge.

October 10 | 9-9:45 am PT

Did you miss the “All Students in HSIs” webinar in Sept? In Case You Missed It….

Join us again for this FREE webinar, the first in our series of Burning Questions Webinars that address some common issues that arise when doing HSI work. In this webinar we explore a thought-provoking burning question that we often hear: “Why should we focus on and center our Latinx/e students? What about all students?”

We will discuss the different ways we go about answering this question, the different reasons it comes up, and offer you ideas on how you might address this question in your own context. Bring your colleagues: the information is geared towards anyone working in an emerging or current HSI (and much of the discussion is relevant to MSIs as well!) See you there!

Latino Poetry: “Places We Call Home” Reading & Discussion with Dr. Carmen Tafolla | October 10th | 6:00 PM | Teatro de Artes Cultural Art Center

Teatro is excited to be introducing our Latino Poetry Literary Series. Teatro recently was awarded a grant from the Library of America to produce a three part series of poetry programming centered around the newly released, Latino Poetry, The Library of America Anthology. For nearly five centuries, the rich tapestry of Latino poetry has been woven from a wealth of languages and cultures—a “tremendous continental MIXTURAO,” in the words of the poet Tato Laviera.

Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin is looking forward to welcoming the Seguin community to our first installment of the series and we are thrilled to have famous poet and author Dr. Carmen Tafolla, serve as the poet scholar for the evening! This event will take place at Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin’s Cultural Arts Center located at 921 W. New Braunfels St. Seguin, TX. The Poetry night will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, 6PM. The evening will include Latino poetry readings and discussion with acclaimed poet, author, and anthology collaborator, Dr. Carmen Tafolla, moderated by Dr. Yvonne M. De La Rosa. Dr. Tafolla will read her acclaimed “Mujeres del Rebozo Rojo” with a deep dive into the poem for discussion. They will also read 3-5 more poems from the Latino Poetry Anthology and open the floor for discussion. The evening will close with a Q&A with the poet. Dr. Tafolla will also have on hand her books to sell and sign.

Who is Dr. Carmen Tafolla? Dr. Tafolla is a native of San Antonio’s West side barrio, a poet, storyteller, performance artist, motivational speaker, cultural activist, and was the first female director of TLU’s Center for Mexican American Studies department. The poetry reading and discussion will revolve around these following humanities themes: Ancestry & Identity, Language, Voice & Resistance, First & Second Homes, Family & Community, Music & Performance, and lastly labor. These themes will not only serve as a vehicle of learning for all who attend but also as a space for sharing about your own lives. After the discussion there will be a live reading from Dr. Tafolla herself of her poem Mujeres del Rebozo. We look forward to you joining us for this night of bringing our community together through poetry.

Pláticas (Conversations) Series | October 12th | 10:00-3:30 PM | Tschoepe Hall Foyer

Sign up for the Pláticas Workshop Series sponsored by HSI-Title V: BUENOS Center for Excellence. This is an exciting, expert-led initiative designed to foster academic and professional growth for students at Texas Lutheran University. Rooted in the spirit of Pláticas—the Spanish word for conversations—these workshops offer a fantastic opportunity for students to enhance their skills through engaging and interactive discussions with TLU faculty and staff.

Please email all questions to Cesar Silva at csilva@tlu.edu.

September 11-17 | National Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Week

The observance takes place during National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. HSIs are defined as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic student enrollment. TLU’s student body is currently 42% Hispanic with more than half of all Bulldogs identifying as first-generation or the first person in their family to attend college. 
 

September 12 | 1 p.m. | Celebrando HSI Week (Online Meet & Greet)

Please join the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE) to celebrate National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, as well as the launch of Latinx Heritage Month. Participants will listen to música, play trivia (with prizes), and meet members of the AHSIE Council.

AHSIE seeks to connect with TLU students, staff, and faculty to discuss how they can work together to advance the mission of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI). Free and open to all. 

September 13 | 10 a.m. | Chapel with Richard Montez

Richard Montez currently serves as Executive Director of Member Services at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Over the last 6 years, Richard has led the charge to grow the association’s membership significantly and to amplify HACU’s voice through its strong membership base.

In addition to helping colleges and universities connect with HACU, Richard also oversees the associations job board, ProTalento: The Leading Job Board in Hispanic Higher Education, the HACU Webinar Series and HACU’s partnership with the All of Us Research Program, an initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

For the past 11 years, Richard has also served as board chairman of Inner City Development, a non-profit organization that meets the emergency and recreational needs of children and families on the west side of San Antonio, one of the most economically segregated cities in the nation.

Richard’s work has focused largely on issues facing children and families, particularly hunger, houseless-ness and equitable access to education. He and his partner, David Joseph, are fathers to five children. 
 

September 13 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Student Services: Scholarships, Career Services, and Leadership Development

The HACU Student Services team will have a table from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Alumni Student Center. Students, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to stop by and learn more.

September 15 | 10 a.m. | Chapel with Dr David Ortiz

Dr. Ortiz is TLU’s vice president for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. His message will celebrate the start of Latinx Heritage Month with a brief history on Latinx students and TLU’s journey to becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

September 15 | 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. | Latinx Heritage Month Kickoff & Center for Mexican American Studies Open House | Langner Hall 110

Join the Mexican American Student Association for Día De Los Muertos mask making, monarch mariposa art, music, food, and spoken word poetry. You’ll also have the chance to meet TLU’s new Director of the Center For Mexican American Studies, Dr. César Silva.

September 18 | 10 a.m. | Chapel with Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez

Dr. Gutierrez will speak about his personal and academic journey as a social justice activist, including being a founding leader of the 1970s Chicano Movement. 
 

September 18 | 4 p.m. | Meet & Greet with Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez | Tschoepe Hall Lobby

The TLU community is invited to meet Dr. Gutierrez and visit with him about his work.

September 19 | 4:30 – 7 p.m.| Memorial Exhibit & Community Discussion | Teatro de Artes

Vickie De La Rosa Memorial Exhibit (4:30 p.m.)

Mrs. De La Rosa was instrumental in the formation of Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin nonprofit cultural arts organization which is a revered cultural, educational, and humanities institution in Seguin. Teatro recently celebrated its 40th anniversary of serving Seguin and surrounding communities’ youth, adolescents, adults, and seniors through its three pillars of: Community Based, Center Based, and School Based programming.

For all 40-plus years, Vickie volunteered her services and expertise to Teatro in the following capacities: first costume coordinator, first Ballet Folklorico De La Rosa instructor, first program coordinator, first grant writer/administrator, first executive director, and dedicated 41 years to serving all who sought knowledge in learning more about the Mexican American culture through all forms of art and humanities.
 

Community Roundtable (6 p.m.)

Teatro de Artes and the Center for Mexican American Studies will hold a community roundtable on the Historical legacy of Crystal City at Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin. Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez was a central figure in challenging the discriminatory school board practices in Crystal City during the 1970s. The events at Crystal City are noted as one of the fundamental movements that initiated the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement in Texas.

September 20 | 6 p.m. | Fighting for Political Power Documentary | Dunne Conference Room

This Documentary is part of the History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement film series. Fighting for Political Power, the documentary highlighting Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez’s work with La Raza Unida Party, will be screened for both the TLU and local Seguin communities. Community members are invited to attend the screening and Q&A with Dr. Gutierrez after the screening.

September 21 | 7 p.m. | Latinx Political Activism | Dunne Conference Room (Tschoepe Hall) 
 

Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez will present a talk about his activism and connect it to the current state of affairs as they pertain to Latinx civic activism.

As a co-founder of La Raza Unida Party, a Mexican American political party that ran its own candidates in the 1970s, he will give a history of La Raza Unida connecting it to Latinx political activism today. The La Raza Unida Party will be celebrating its 50th anniversary during this time as well.

September 27 | Latinx Heritage Month Dinner | 5:30-7 p.m. | Hein Dining Hall

All are welcome to dine in Hein for this fun-filled event and cultural celebration.

October 10 | Lotería | 7 p.m. | Moody Science 101
 

Co-sponsored by the TLU Mexican American Student Association & TLU Society of Physics Students, join the organizations for a night of lotería (Mexican bingo) and prizes.

October 25 | 10 a.m. | Chapel with Mariachi Oro y Negro 
 

Join TLU’s mariachi band for a special chapel performance
 

More About Visiting Scholar Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez

During Latinx Heritage Month, Dr. José Ángel Gutiérrez will serve a week-long residency at TLU lecturing on An activist, lawyer, professor, and researcher, Dr. Gutiérrez has been president and chief operating officer of the Greater Dallas Legal and Community Development Foundation since 1986.

He is a licensed attorney in Texas and several federal jurisdictions, as well as a professor emeritus of Political Science. Dr. Gutiérrez is also the founder of the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas-Arlington including the oral history project.

During the Chicano Movement he was considered one of the Four Horsemen of that era. He has authored and co-authored 17 books, plus three children’s books. Dr. Gutiérrez has received many professional honors, including the 2019 National Hispanic Hero Award from the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute in Chicago and the 2016 Distinguished Alumni from Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Unidos con Esperanza (United With Hope)
 

Latinx Heritage Month Events
 

9/14 Dies y Seis Dinner 5-7 p.m., Hein, sponsored by the Mexican American Student Association

9/15 Bidi Bidi Banda: A Texas Tribute to Selena, 7-8:30 p.m., Jackson Auditorium,

9/16 Chapel Speaker: Dr. Lisa Alcorta, Senior Vice President for Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, 10 a.m., Chapel of the Abiding Presence
 

9/21 Movie Night 7 p.m. (location TBD), sponsored by the Mexican American Student Association

9/27 Olympic Gymnast Laurie Hernandez, 7-8:30 p.m., Jackson Auditorium 
 

9/27 All Majors Career Fair 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., Jackson Park Student Activities Center

9/27 Lotería 12-1 p.m., Moody Science 101, sponsored by the Society of Physics Students and Mexican American Student Association

9/28 “La Marcha: Stories of Resilience in the 1966 Texas Farmworkers’ March”

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Abiding Presence. This panel discussion with Bishop Joel N. Martinez and Rebecca Flores, retired President of the Texas United Farmworkers Union will be moderated by Campus Pastor Wes Cain. The event is part of the Big Read Seguin led by TLU in partnership with the Seguin Public Library and Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin.

An encore presentation will take place at 6:30 p.m. also at the Seguin Public Library.

9/28 to 11/12: The Big Read Seguin

The program has selected the following titles for anyone who would like to participate to pick up from the Seguin Public Library.

• Spare Parts by Josh Davis. This young adult reader tells the true story of four undocumented Mexican American high school students who enter an underwater robotics competition.
• Dreamers / Soñadores by Yuyi Morales. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of a young mother and her son who immigrate from Mexico to the US.

10/17 MASA and Office of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Chapel Service

10 a.m., Chapel of the Abiding Presence

10/18 “Latina Faculty: Intersectional Stories During the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Leslie Flores, M.A. in Gender Studies from the University of Leeds, 4 p.m., Langner Hall 120

Sponsored by the Department of Psychology, the Department of Communication, Cultures, English, and World Languages, the Center for Women’s Studies, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diez y Sies at Hein!

Wednesday, September 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Come and dine with the crew at Hein as we enjoy delicious food from different Latin American countries.

!Celebrando diez y seis!

Thursday, September 16, at 5 p.m., in the Center for Mexican American Studies (Langner 110)

Spanish Language Table presents a special event honor Mexico’s Independence. Refreshments will be provided.

Celebrating the Life and Artwork of Reynaldo “Rey” Luján-Gaytán

Tuesday, September 21, at 5 p.m., in the Blumberg Memorial Library Art Gallery.

Join us as we celebrate Reynaldo “Rey” Luján-Gaytán. Born in Seguin, Texas, Gaytan was an accomplished artist, teacher, and organizer. Festivities will begin with an outdoor celebration in front of the library with Accordionist Alejandro L. Guerra and Ballet Folklόrico De La Rosa. Gaytan’s work will be displayed until November 2.

Lotería Cientifica/Science Lotería!

Tuesday, October 5 at 12 p.m., in the Krost Lounge

Join the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and the Mexican American Student Association for a special science lotería, featuring prizes and food.

¿Quien Soy? Who Am I? Plática

Wednesday, September 22 at 7 p.m., in the Alumni Student Center Conference Room A&B.

Join the Mexican American Student Association and the Center For Mexican American Studies for a discussion about the politics behind different identity labels in the Latinx/Xicanx/Chicanx/Hispanic communities.

Tu Lucha Es Mi Lucha: Supporting Community Through Artivism

Wednesday, October 20 at 7 p.m.in the Blumberg Memorial Library. Join us for a hands on art project led by artivist Yocelyn Riojas. Born in Mexico and raised in Eagle Pass, TX, Riojas’s art depicts themes about Latinx culture, women’s empowerment, and immigration. Her artivism stems from a passion to empower communities and support people of color through art.

Día de los Muertos Arts & Crafts Night

Wednesday, October 27 at 7 p.m.in the Alumni Student Center Conference Room A & B. Join the Mexican American Student Association and the Center For Mexican American Studies as they create art for Día de los Muertos. Refreshments will be provided.

Día de los Muertos Celebration

Join the TLU community for our Día de los Muertos celebration on Tuesday, November 2 at 6 p.m., at the Streng Chapel Plaza. Bring photos of your deceased loved ones to place on our community altar. We also encourage guests to bring poetry, songs, and calaveras for the open mic session.

Click Here to Learn More

Every year, TLU honors the contributions and legacy of Latino culture with annual celebrations and events. For 2020, there are several virtual events (via Zoom) we invite students, faculty, staff, and the Seguin community to attend.

Schedule Of Events

Black and Brown United Struggles: Resistance and Dignity in México and Texas

Wednesday, September 30 at 7 p.m.

Join guest speaker Dr. Alberto Rodriguez, Associate Professor of History at Texas A&M University Kingsville as he discusses how African American communities have often united as they committed themselves to social justice issues. Explore the historical connections between Black and Brown communities as they resisted exploitation and fought for their rights in the borderlands of Mexico and Texas. 
 

#BlackLivesMatter: How All Latinos/as/x Can Support the Black Liberation Movement

Tuesday, October 6 at 6 p.m.

Special guest Máximo Anguiano will lead a discussion about who are we, as Latinas/xs/os, and what part do we play in the current Black Lives Matter movement? Do we have a stake in the issues of racial equality, police brutality, economic justice and beyond?

How can we best support our Black sisters & brothers and elevate our collective struggles for real liberty & justice for all? During this session, we’ll seek to answer these questions and more; join us, as Maximo leads an open & honest discussion on checking our own biases, advocating for people of color, and awakening our racial consciousness to eliminate perceived barriers. No questions are off limits; come and engage or listen and learn. All are encouraged and welcomed.
 

Virtual Lotería de TLU

Wednesday, October 7 at 7 p.m.

Join the Mexican American Student Association (MASA) for an evening of their own version of Lotería de TLU! You must register for this event so that you can be added to the Microsoft Teams site where you will create your lotería card! Prizes for winners!

Decolonizing & Re-indigenizing our Diet for Personal & Collective Well-Being

Wednesday, October 14 at 7 p.m.

Dr. Lilliana Saldaña will discuss how ancestral foods are a site of self-care and collective liberation for communities of color that continue to resist the Standard American Diet that is part and parcel of the colonial project aimed at keeping us sick and in survival mode.

As Associate Professor and Program Director of Mexican American Studies, Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Dr. Saldaña will share her journey towards decolonizing and re-indigenizing her diet through Mexican plant-based foods that honor ancestral food-ways. She will also share some recipes that can serve as building blocks for dishes that are life sustaining for our body, spirit, and mind. 
 

Calaveras y Poesía: Celebrando Día de Los Muertos
 

Sunday, Nov. 1 from 2 – 4 p.m.

Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin, TLU’s Center for Mexican American Studies, and the Indigenous Cultures Institute of San Marcos will bring this cultural celebration to your computer or mobile device for a special virtual event.  

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18

Diez y seis at Hein featuring Mariachi Reyes de América 
5:30 PM – Dining; 6:30 PM – Musical Presentation l Hein Dining Hall 
Come celebrate with delicious Mexican-inspired food and a musical performance by Seguin’s local mariachi group.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25

Study Abroad in Spanish-Speaking Countries 
9:00 AM l Centennial Hall 122 and 1 PM l Langner Hall 233 
Are you interested in studying abroad? Hear from TLU students who have studied abroad in Spanish-speaking countries!

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9

The Intersections of Masculinity, Cultural Identity, and Gender Expectations 
6:00-8:30 PM l Center for Servant Leadership Garage, Hahn Hall Annex
Join special guests Jose Juan Lara, Jr. and Emiliano Diaz de Leon for a candid conversation on the intersections of masculinity and identity. This discussion will provide students with a safe space to explore cultural identity and its link to gender identity. Participants will leave with increased awareness about resources for self-care and healthy relationships. RSVP is required for this event. Please RSVP to Interim Advocacy Coordinator Leslie Flores.

Jose Juan Lara, Jr., M.S. – Lara, a native Tejano from Brownsville, has been in the movement against gender violence since 1999 and has presented across the country on the issues of crisis intervention, systems advocacy, cultural responsiveness and language access. In his current position at Casa de Esperanza/National Latin@ Network, he provides training and technical assistance to court systems, Latin@ serving and culturally specific organizations. His professional experience includes legal advocacy, training development, organizational assessment, and nonprofit board leadership.

Emiliano Diaz de Leon, Men’s Engagement Specialist – After more than a decade of experience working for several domestic and sexual violence centers across

Texas, he joined the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault in 2008 and provides training and technical assistance on primary prevention of sexual violence to Rape Prevention Education (RPE) grantees around the state. In addition, he also provides training and technical assistance on enhancing services to male survivors of sexual violence to individuals and organizations in Texas and around the country.

THURSDAY, OCT. 10

Lotería Night!
7:30 PM l Center for Mexican American Studies, Langner Hall 110 
Join the Mexican American Student Association (MASA) as they play Lotería! Win prizes and have some food and fun!

MONDAY, OCT. 14

25 Texans and the Land of Lincoln (film screening)
1 PM l Langner Hall 233 
Join TLU’s Mexican American History class for this fascinating film that follows San Antonio students on their quest from the Alamo to Springfield, Illinois to honor Lincoln’s support of Mexico during the US-Mexican War. The quest to return Santa Anna’s leg to its homeland, raises questions about identities, borders, and memory.

TUESDAY, OCT. 15

FILM SCREENING

6:30 PM L CHAPEL OF THE ABIDING PRESENCE
JOIN MASA AND CAMPUS MINISTRY FOR A SCREENING OF AND DISCUSSION ABOUT THE AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY THAT FOLLOWS THE PERSECUTIONS OF FOUR LATINA LESBIANS WHO WERE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OF GANG-RAPING TWO LITTLE GIRLS IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

SUNDAY, NOV. 3

Calaveras y Poesía: Celebrando Día de los muertos
2 – 4 PM l Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin
 

Join the Center for Mexican American Studies and Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin in celebration of Day of the Dead. Come build altars and read poetry to commemorate those beloved members of our communities whom have passed.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6

Mariachi High (film screening) 7:30 PM l Alumni Student Center (Conference Room A/B)
Join Mariachi Oro y Negro and CMAS for the screening and discussion of this PBS coming-of-age film that highlights the successful journey of Mariachi Halcon. Witness the importance of culture, identity, and survival as seen through the eyes of high school mariachi students.

For more information, email the Center For Mexican American Studies or call 830-372-6073.

 

FEATURED EVENTS

CANCELED TLU TBS-KKP Band Festival 2020

May 13, 2020 – May 21, 2020

CANCELED Summer Music Academy 2020

June 21, 2020 – June 27, 2020 12:00am – 12:00pm

TENTATIVE Bulldog Basics (Session 1) – For Deposited Students

July 10, 2020 10:00 am – 1:30 pm

TENTATIVE Bulldog Basics (Session 2) – For Deposited Students

July 24, 2020 10:00 am – 1:30 pm

Spring Baccalaureate & Commencement 2020

August 1, 2020

Alumni and Family Weekend 2020

October 2, 2020 – October 3, 2020

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12

11:30 a.m – 12 p.m.

ASC Conference Rooms A/B

Study Abroad in Spanish-Speaking Countries

MONDAY, SEPT. 17

10:00 a.m.

Chapel of the Abiding Presence

Juntos Oramos

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19

6 p.m.
Hein Dining Hall

Diez y Seis Celebration Come and dine with the crew at Hein as Chef Ernie prepares savory Mexican foods inspired by the rich heritage of our local cultures.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 25

7 p.m.

Location: Dunne Conference Center (Tschoepe Hall)

Jose Luis Zelaya: I Am College Material!

Jose Luis Zelaya is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Urban Education Program at Texas A&M University. As a first-generation, Dreamer, his motivational talk will inspire students in their educational journey.

MONDAY, OCT. 1

10:00 a.m.

Chapel of the Abiding Presence

Juntos Oramos

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3

10:00 a.m.

Chapel of the Abiding Presence

Mariachi Mass

7:30 p.m

Center For Mexican American Studies

Lotería Night

MONDAY, OCT. 15

10:00 a.m.

Chapel of the Abiding Presence

Juntos Oramos

TUESDAY, OCT. 16

7:30 p.m

Dunne Conference Center

What’s Going On Along The Border?

KSAT 12 News Reporters Jessie Degollado and Tiffany Huertas will speak about and share clips of their extensive border coverage including an inside look at family detention centers. Both Degollado and Huertas are from the Rio Grande Valley and have covered immigration for many years.

With KSAT 12 News since 1984, Degollado is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories every day. Raised in Laredo and working as an reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, she is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. Educated in Laredo public schools, with a journalism degree from Baylor University, she has also received several awards in recognition of her longstanding career. They include the 2014 Outstanding Alumna Award from the Baylor University Journalism Department, the 2012 Henry Guerra Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Antonio chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Alegre Award in 2016 from Norteno Radio. In 2007, she was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame.

Tiffany Huertas, Video Journalist for KSAT 12 News San Antonio

Reporter Tiffany Huertas is known for her in-depth storytelling and her involvement with the community. Huertas comes from the Rio Grande Valley, where she was a weekend anchor and reporter for KGBT-TV. During her time there, she covered national stories on immigration, border corruption and challenges young children in detention centers face. Huertas won an award for Hard News from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in 2016 for a story about cartel couriers in South Texas. Her work covering Latino issues also earned her an award nomination at the 2016 NAHJ Awards. She was recognized with the Lone Star Flag by state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. for her coverage along the Texas-Mexico border. Prior to her time in Texas, she was a reporter at WJHG-TV in Panama City Beach, Florida, and a writer for WSVN-TV in Miami. Huertas was also part of the first class in Telemundo Network’s Media Futures Program. She spent two semesters learning the ins and outs of the Spanish news business. She graduated from Florida International University with a journalism and mass communications degree along with a minor in tourism and political science.

FRIDAY, OCT. 19

10:00 a.m.

Chapel of the Abiding Presence

Morning Strings Celebrating Latinx History & Heritage

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Wupperman Little Theatre

Diana Lopez, “Coco: A Story About Music, Family and Shoes”

Diana Lopez will read her from her book and talk with students. Following that, there will be a book signing and screening of the Disney Pixar Film “Coco,” at 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY OCT. 31

10:00 a.m.

Chapel of the Abiding Presence

Altares: Recordando a los nuestros/Remembering our Loved Ones

Join the Mexican American Students Association and Mexican American Studies majors as they celebrate Dia de Los Muertos with altares and pan de muerto. The TLU Mariachi Band Oro y Negro will also perform.

SUNDAY, NOV. 4

2 – 4:00 p.m.

Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin

Calaveras y Poesía: Celebrando Día de los muertos

Events sponsored by the Brown Cultural Endowment Fund, World Languages and Cultures and the Spanish Studies Program, Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) and the Mexican American Studies Program, First Year and Campus Programs, Mexican American Student Association, International Education, English and Communication Studies, School of Music, Women’s Studies Program, the Department of History, African American Studies, Mexican American Student Association (MASA), Hein Dining Hall, and Campus Ministry.