Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrating "Estamos Unidos"

Sept. 14, 2023

Dear campus community,

I hope that you all are having a fantastic Change Day! I wanted to pass along this letter to inform you about another exciting Andrews University celebration which begins tomorrow on our campus.

Over the last 35 years and starting in 1988, Americans have observed National Hispanic Heritage Month during the 30-day period of Sept. 15–Oct. 15. In particular, the date of Sept. 15 holds extraordinary significance in the Hispanic community because it commemorates the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their own independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. We also think of our Brazilian community during this time—they commemorated their independence last week on Sept. 7.

As this month of recognition begins, I want to invite you all to join in with our campus community as Andrews University celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month under this year’s theme: “Estamos Unidos.” The phrase “estamos unidos,” in Spanish, means “we are united.” We’ve chosen this theme to highlight the unity amid the diversity among Hispanics/Latinos and the campus at large at Andrews University. I pray that the imagery of these words reflects not just what this month’s celebration will bring but also honors what the members of our diverse and beautiful Hispanic community bring to our campus each year.

In the month ahead, we look forward to the ways in which we can all be inspired to ultimately be unified in our love for Christ and for each other as we enter into this campus-wide celebration and year-round practice of “Estamos Unidos.”

As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, I want to give special thanks to our Andrews University Latino Association (AULA) for their efforts in picking this theme and in their hard work in planning these events in collaboration with Genesis Fellowship, the Center for Faith Engagement, and Impact (BSCF).

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

• Sept. 16—Genesis Fellowship, University Towers Auditorium, University Towers, 11:45 a.m.
• Sept. 19—Tuesday Cocurricular Short Courses, 11:30 a.m.
• Sept. 22—Back-to-School Social
• Sept. 23–24—Conociendo a Andrews University Preview Event, prospective students and families can register at andrews.edu/visit
• Sept. 26—Tuesday Cocurricular Short Courses
• Sept. 28—Hispanic Heritage Month Chapel, Pioneer Memorial Church, 11:30 a.m.
• Sept. 30—Genesis Fellowship, University Towers Auditorium, University Towers, 11:45 a.m.
• Sept. 30—Night Market (collaboration with AFIA, SASA and KASA)
• Oct. 3—Tuesday Cocurricular Short Courses, 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 13—AULA x Impact Vespers, University Towers Auditorium, University Towers, 8:45 p.m.
• Oct. 14—Genesis Fellowship, University Towers Auditorium, University Towers, 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 16–20—Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Week
• Oct. 17—Tuesday Cocurricular Short Courses, 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 21—Noche Latina

You can find out more about these, and additional Hispanic Heritage Month events, on the Andrews Agenda Upcoming Events calendar at this link.

I hope you’ll take the opportunity to take part in some or all of our “Estamos Unidos” Hispanic Heritage Month celebration events.

As I wrote earlier, this month of celebration gives us a chance to honor and deepen the unity amid the diversity of our Hispanic/Latino community and the campus at large at Andrews University.

I believe that this month can and will give us an ongoing opportunity to be inspired by, and ultimately be unified in, our love for Christ and for each other.

Sincerely,

Danielle Pilgrim
Interim Chief Diversity Officer