{"id":219186,"date":"2022-09-21T14:54:50","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T18:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=219186"},"modified":"2022-09-21T16:12:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-21T20:12:31","slug":"strength-in-unity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/09\/21\/strength-in-unity\/","title":{"rendered":"Strength in Unity"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the theme of \u201cUnidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,\u201d Montclair State University students, faculty and staff united to officially kick off Hispanic\/Latinx Heritage Month<\/a> with the annual procession of flags representing dozens of Latin American countries. The group gathered outside of Susan A. Cole Hall, selected flags and then walked to the flagpoles at the Student Center to hear from University faculty, staff and representatives from campus Latinx organizations. English Professor Johnny Lorenz, president of the Latinx\/a\/o Caucus, told the students that because of Montclair\u2019s status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a freshman class that is 41% Hispanic, \u201cThis is very much your university.\u201d The celebration was followed by a reception at the Student Center.<\/p>\n

\"students
Students, faculty and staff proudly wave their flags as they participate in a procession celebrating Hispanic\/Latinx Heritage Month. Events such as this are important to \u201cshow our presence on campus,\u201d says Collin Thompson, a junior majoring in Italian and who is of Dominican and Jamaican descent. \u201cThis is our month; we should celebrate it.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Katia
Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives Katia Paz Goldfarb (center) explains the importance of the month: \u201cThis month gives us an opportunity to share, recognize and celebrate de donde venimos y a d\u00f3nde vamos [where we come from and where we are going] as an intrinsic part of the society. Embracing each other is only going to make us stronger.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Yolanda
Associate Dean of Students Yolanda Alvarez reads a proclamation from President Jonathan Koppell, officially declaring September 15 through October 15 Hispanic\/Latinx Heritage Month on campus as Latin American Student Organization President Stephanie De Dios looks on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"attendees
Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives Katia Paz Goldfarb addresses the crowd gathered to celebrate the kickoff of Hispanic\/Latinx Heritage Month at Montclair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"attendees
Hispanic\/Latinx Heritage Month observance straddles September and October to coincide with Independence Day celebrations of numerus Latin American countries, many of which are represented by flags held by students, faculty and staff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hispanic\/Latinx Heritage Month will be celebrated with numerous events through mid-October. Check the Office for Hispanic Initiatives website<\/a> and the University calendar<\/a> for updates.<\/p>\n