Hispanic Heritage Month begins with Latino votes discussion

Numerous events that highlight Hispanic political influences, art and foreign policies are planned by Grand Valley State University's Office of Multicultural Affairs to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which will run September 17 through October 14.

All events detailed below are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, call OMA at (616) 331-2177.

• Latino Voices, Latino Votes: September 17, 4-6 p.m., Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room.
Maria Echaveste, lecturer-in-residence at the University of California-Berkeley Law School, will address the increasing Hispanic population in swing states and how the Democrats and Republicans will court the Hispanic vote. She was an advisor for the Hillary Clinton campaign and a former staff member for President Bill Clinton.

• Hispanic Art Experience: September 18, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center, Pere Marquette Room.
Local artists, Hugo Claudin, Oswaldo Garcés, Carmelo López, Roli Mancera and David Pozo will discuss how living in the United States has influenced their artwork as they share their dreams, inspirations and creative methods behind their artwork.

• Musical Journey Through Latin America: September 24, noon-2 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center.
Carlos de la Barrera, an Argentinean guitarist, will present a musical trip to Latin America, a region with a rich musical history that blends European and African influences to make Hispanic music vibrant and colorful. A workshop will be held immediately following the concert.

• Latin America Through the Lens of a U.S. Photographer: September 29, 3-4:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center, Pere Marquette Room.
Professional local photographer Randall Gornowich will present photo essays from trips to Mexico and Latin America. His work includes capturing university protests in Oaxaca, Mexico, and a festival in Pasto, Colombia.

• Perspectives on Hugo Chavez: October 2, 2:30-4 p.m., Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room.
Gustavo Rotondaro and Rafael Gamboa, two local Venezuelans, will present different perspectives of the presidency of Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

• Race, Ethnicity, Nationality and Identity: October 6, noon-1:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center, rooms 2215/2216.
Laura Arcila Villla, visiting professor of philosophy, will discuss Latin American philosopher Jorge J.E. Gracia and his analysis of the concepts of race, ethnicity, and nationality and how they help to shape identities.

• U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Colombia: October 14, 2:30-4 p.m., Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room.
Polly Diven, associate professor of political science, will be joined by John Dugas, from Kalamazoo College, as they discuss the complexities of Colombian politics and consequences of U.S. foreign policy.

Other campus departments sponsoring Hispanic Heritage Month events are Art and Design, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Honors College, International Relations Program, Latin American Studies, Modern Languages and Literatures Department, Padnos International Center, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, Political Science Department, Women’s Center, Sigma Lambda Gamma and Latino Student Union.