Latinx Heritage Month Archive

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!

Click here to register for the free Burning Questions Webinar.

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!

Click here to register for the Conocimientos Webinar.

*Discount can only be applied for those who attend the webinar.

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.

Click here to register for the STEM-X Webinar

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!

Click here to regsiter for the #ICYMI Burning Questions Webinar.

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. Join the event at tinyurl.com/AHSIEmeet.

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

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.

Please RSVP for any event you would like to attend by emailing Dr. Jennifer Mata.

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. 
 

For TLU students: Visit the Cultural Programs page on MyTLU to join virtually, or, contact Dr. Jennifer Mata for invitation link.

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. 

Register at bit.ly/Calaveras2020 and/or join on Zoom with Meeting ID: 882 3803 3067.