2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Friends,

I hope that you all are having an amazing Change Day! I am writing to let you know about another exciting celebration we are starting today on our campus for you to get involved with.

For more than three decades, beginning in 1988, Americans have observed National Hispanic Heritage Month during the 30-day period of Sept. 15–Oct. 15.

In particular, Sept. 15 holds a special level of significance in the Hispanic community because it commemorates the anniversary of the independence of the countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. We also think of our Brazilian community during this time of the year, as they commemorated their independence on Sept. 7.

As this month of recognition begins, I would like to invite you all to join our campus community as Andrews University celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month under this year's theme: “Vibrante.” I would like to give a special thanks to four campus organizations for their efforts in picking this theme and planning these events: the Andrews University Latino Association (AULA), Genesis Fellowship, the Center for Faith Engagement and Makarios.

“Vibrante,” or “vibrant” in English, means pulsating with life, vigor or activity. The imagery of these words reflects not just what this month’s celebration will bring but also what the members of our diverse and beautiful Hispanic community bring to our campus all throughout the year. We look forward to the ways in which we can all be inspired to live a more vibrant life as we enter into this campus-wide celebration and practice of “Vibrante.”

Here is a schedule of events planned for Hispanic Heritage Month:

Sept. 6: Suenos Latinos
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Buller Hall

Sept. 15: Change Day: Neighbor 2 Neighbor
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Berrien Springs (meet at the PMC Flag Mall)

Sept. 17: Genesis Fellowship
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Location: University Towers Auditorium

Sept. 20: Mosaico: Colorism & Racism
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Buller Hall

Sept. 24: Genesis Fellowship
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Location: University Towers Auditorium

Sept. 24: Fiesta Night
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Andreasen Center for Wellness

Sept. 27: Servicio: Missionaries Abroad
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Buller Hall

Sept. 29: University Chapel—Hispanic Heritage Celebration featuring Angelo Grasso
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Pioneer Memorial Church

Oct. 1: Genesis Fellowship
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Location: University Towers Auditorium

Oct. 3: Latino Dance Night
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Andreasen Center for Wellness

Oct. 3–8: Spirit Week

Oct. 4: Cultura: Cultural Appropriation
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Buller Hall

Oct. 11: Valores: Cultural Appreciation
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Buller Hall

Oct. 14: Proximity Vespers
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Pioneer Memorial Church

Oct. 15: Genesis Fellowship
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Location: University Towers Auditorium

Oct. 15: Noche Latina
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: TBA

I look forward to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with all of you as we take the opportunity as a campus to affirm and appreciate the contributions of Hispanics to our campus, our country and our world.

Grace and peace,

Michael Nixon
Vice President for University Culture & Inclusion