FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas and the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee announce the 2008 Hispanic Heritage Month schedule of events on the university campus. Combining academic lectures, distinguished speakers and cultural events, Hispanic Heritage Month is an exciting opportunity to create greater awareness of the heritage and contemporary achievement of Hispanic and Latino cultures.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins Monday, Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which declared independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico had earlier declared its independence on Sept. 16, 1810, and Chile on Sept. 18, 1810.

This year’s celebration is titled “Getting Involved: Our Families, Our Community, Our Nation.” Both Gov. Mike Beebe and University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart have proclaimed that September 15 through October 15 to be Hispanic Heritage Month in the state of Arkansas and on the University of Arkansas campus.

“This series of events is really for anyone who appreciates the contributions that the Hispanic culture brings to this country and this state. The theme for this year reminds us that for a nation to succeed we all have to be involved, not only our families and our community but the whole nation itself,” said Veronikha Salazar, assistant director of the Multicultural Center and chair of the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee.

Today, more than 40 million people of Hispanic and Latino ancestry reside in the United States, making them the largest ethnic minority in the country and the fifth-largest population among the 19 Spanish-speaking countries of the world. According to the 2000 census, 67 percent of the Hispanic and Latino population of the United States trace their origins to Mexico, 14 percent to Central and South America, 9 percent to Puerto Rico, 4 percent to Cuba, and 7 percent to other Hispanic origins.

The following is a schedule of events for the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration:

Monday, September 15
Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off
Panel Discussion: “Challenges of Latinos in the U.S. and in Northwest Arkansas”
11 a.m. – Multicultural Center
Reception to follow
Sponsored by the HHM Committee and LULAC

Wednesday, September 17
Citizenship Ceremony
11 a.m. – Jones Center
Seating is limited. RSVP at 751-9494
Sponsored by the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas

Cuentos y Más
Story times are taught in Spanish and English for 3 to 6 year-olds.
11:15 a.m. – Fayetteville Public Library
Sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Library and the HHM Committee

Engineering Expo
2 – 7 p.m. – Bell Engineering Center
Sponsored by the University of Arkansas Career Development Center

No Longer Strangers: The Hispanic Presence in our Midst
Noon – First United Methodist Church, Room N115
206 W. Johnson Avenue, Springdale
Sponsored by Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Thursday, September 18
Film Series: La Ley de Herodes
Commentary by Actor Damian Alcazar Starring Damián Alcázar.
"La Ley de Herodes" is a hilarious black comedy about politics and corruption in late 1940s Mexico. This film was temporarily banned in Mexico by the PRI party
5 p.m. – 310 Kimpel Hall
Sponsored by LAST/FLAN department

Monday, September 22
Hispanic Faculty and Staff Mixer
3:30 p.m. – Multicultural Center
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center and the HHM committee

Tuesday, September 23
Campus Day for High School Students
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – University of Arkansas
Sponsored by Admissions Office, Multicultural Center and Northwest Arkansas Education
Renewal Zone

Business Career Fair
11 – 3 p.m. – Willard J. Walker Hall
Sponsored by the U of A Career Center

Wednesday, September 24
Cuentos y Más: Mexico
Story times are taught in Spanish and English
For 3- to 6-year-olds.
11:15 a.m. – Fayetteville Public Library
Sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Library and HHM Committee

Thursday, September 25
Brown Bag: A conversation on Mexican Cinema
With actor Damian Alcazar
Noon – Multicultural Center
Sponsored by LAST and FLAN department

Graduate School/ Job Fair
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Arkansas Union Connections Lounge
Sponsored by the University of Arkansas Career Development Center

Friday, September 26
Arkansas Latino Summit
Keynote speaker: Dolores Huerta
Clinton Presidential Center and Park

Thursday, October 2
After School Workshop
4 – 5 p.m. – Fayetteville Public library
Sponsored by Fayetteville Public Library and the International Students and Scholars Office

“New Perspectives on Latino Literature and the Role of the Writer”
With author Sergio Troncoso
7:30 p.m. – Giffels Auditorium at Old Main
Sponsored by Latin American Studies, the English Department, the Foreign Language Department, the Multicultural Center and the HHM Committee

Friday, October 3
Friday Night Live: Latin Soul
A late night program for University of Arkansas students and the community. This event in a stress-free environment and provides a variety of activities, games, contests and memorabilia
Free to everyone
9 p.m. – Arkansas Union
Sponsored by University Programs and HHM Committee

Monday, October 6
Explore Latin America
For those who may be thinking of going to Spain, Mexico, Chile, etc.
3:30 p.m. – Multicultural Center
Sponsored by Study Abroad Office, Multicultural Center and HHM Committee

Tuesday, October 7
Plaza de las Americas
Come and enjoy free food and music while learning many interesting facts about Latin America countries
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – ARKU Connections Lounge
Sponsored by HHM Committee

Wednesday, October 8
Cuentos y Más: Colombia
Story times are taught in Spanish and English for 3 to 6 year-olds.
11:15 a.m. – Fayetteville Public Library
Sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Library and the HHM Committee

Thursday, October 9
Off Broadway Play: Platanos and Collard Greens
Platanos & Collard Greens is the hit romantic comedic play that tells the story of an African-American man and a Latino woman, who are both forced to confront and overcome cultural and racial prejudices, while defending their bond from family and friends.
6 p.m. – Arkansas Union Theater
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center and the HHM Committee

Saturday, October 11
LULAC Gala
Annual Fundraising for LULAC Scholarships
6 p.m. – Holiday Inn and Convention Center
1500 S. 48th Street Springdale
$100 per person, $25 per students
For more information contact
Manny Gomez at 479-640-4790
Sponsored by LULAC Council 754

Monday, October 13
Between the Books: Facts of Life Stories by Gary Soto
The Book Club is for ages 9-11.
4 p.m. – Fayetteville Public Library
Books will be available for pick-up starting on Sept. 15.

Thursday, October 16
Film Series: Canoa
By Director Felipe Cazals
Based on actual events that occurred in the town of San Miguel de Canoa in 1968. A group of university employees set out on a hiking trip in the mountains and are mistaken for radical communists by the townspeople. Directed by Felipe Cazals
5 p.m. – 310 Kimpel Hall
Sponsored by LAST/FLAN department