UIC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Latin American studies’ 50th year

Across campus this month and into mid-October, students, staff, alumni and Chicago’s Latino community are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with art, music, dance, talks and more. There has been an exhibit of traditional Latino devotional prayer and memory quilts and a volunteer day to clean up a local park. And many more events are planned into October. 

The nationally designated celebration is a time to highlight Latino heritage, history and culture. At UIC, it’s also coinciding this year with the 50th anniversary of the university’s Latin American and Latino Studies department, born out of student calls for more emphasis on Latin American studies and more recruitment of Latino students and faculty. 

One alum who was a student in the department recently returned to campus for the 50th anniversary celebration. U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia recalled his time as a University of Illinois Chicago student and credited the university with helping him get to where he is today.