Spring Break
Groups celebrate culture
Students, faculty to host various Hispanic Heritage Month events
Matthew Werlein
Issue date: 9/19/05 Section: Campus News
September marks the beginning of the nationally-celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, which lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct 15. The significance of this mid-month beginning is to recognize the anniversary of independence for the five Latin American countries of Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador.
"In 1988, Ronald Reagan declared Hispanic Heritage Week to celebrate the accomplishments of the Hispanic and Latino population in the United States," said Stephanie Zighelboim, student services coordinator. "It eventually turned into Hispanic Heritage Month."
She said different campuses and institutions across the nation are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
"Hispanic and Latino students are 1 percent (of UW-Eau Claire's student population) and growing," Zighelboim said.
There are 89 Hispanic and Latino students on the university's campus, including 18 new students, according to the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
The Hispanic and Latino population is 13.5 percent of the United States' population and is the largest growing minority group right now, she said.
"You can see it reflected everywhere, because you see Latinos in every walk of life and in every profession," Zighelboim said. "What we would stereotypically think of a Latino as a migrant worker all the way to people in high offices."
It's a reflection of what is going on in our population, she said.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Student Organization of Latinos and Latinas combined to throw a reception to kick off the event Tuesday.
Around 80 people attended, including faculty and staff, students and members of the Latino community, Zighelboim said.
| "This is their month ... to share themselves with the rest of the campus." -Stephanie Zighelboim Student Services Coordinator |
"In 1988, Ronald Reagan declared Hispanic Heritage Week to celebrate the accomplishments of the Hispanic and Latino population in the United States," said Stephanie Zighelboim, student services coordinator. "It eventually turned into Hispanic Heritage Month."
She said different campuses and institutions across the nation are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
"Hispanic and Latino students are 1 percent (of UW-Eau Claire's student population) and growing," Zighelboim said.
There are 89 Hispanic and Latino students on the university's campus, including 18 new students, according to the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
The Hispanic and Latino population is 13.5 percent of the United States' population and is the largest growing minority group right now, she said.
"You can see it reflected everywhere, because you see Latinos in every walk of life and in every profession," Zighelboim said. "What we would stereotypically think of a Latino as a migrant worker all the way to people in high offices."
It's a reflection of what is going on in our population, she said.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Student Organization of Latinos and Latinas combined to throw a reception to kick off the event Tuesday.
Around 80 people attended, including faculty and staff, students and members of the Latino community, Zighelboim said.