Wright State celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

Wright State’s Latino affairs and community engagement team will lead the National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in the nation’s story, takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Wright State University endeavors to show appreciation for the Hispanic and Latino community, both on and off campus, during the celebration.

National Hispanic Heritage Month spans Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 because several Spanish-speaking countries, such as Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico and Honduras, celebrate their independence during this time of year.

Catherine Hernandez Hogan, senior director of Latino affairs and community engagement at Wright State, said Wright State’s Hispanic and Latino population has a lot to celebrate this year.

Since the fall of 2022, Wright State has increased the overall Latino student population by 27% and the number of first-year Latino students by 46%.

In addition, Hispanic and Latino-led student organizations are thriving. The Amigos Latinos Student Association received the Student Organization of the Year and the Inclusive Service awards and the Latino Medical Student Association received the Community Service Award and was named the Program of the Year for its Latino Wellness Clinic. The Latino Center will be honored as the Outstanding Unit at the 2024 President’s Awards for Excellence.

New Latino students are welcomed to Wright State with Latino Si Se Puede, a course that coaches them on how to navigate the university through the lens of Hispanic and Latino culture.

“I believe that the Hispanic and Latino community is part of the fabric of our nation,” Hogan said. “There’s so many aspects of our lives that have been bettered by the Hispanic and Latino community, and when I see Wright State celebrate that, it makes me feel like I belong. The university is being intentional in celebrating our community, and it gives me a lot of joy that we’ve been so intentional to serve this student population. We continue to share again and again that our Latino students belong on campus, that they matter, that they have what it takes to succeed, and that, by getting their degree, they can impact their families for generations.”

Hogan encourages anyone to attend National Hispanic Heritage Month events at Wright State and throughout the community.

“You don’t have to be Latino to be a friend,” Hogan said. “It’s about celebrating your neighbors and your community.”

Below is a list of National Hispanic Heritage Month events organized by the Amigos Latinos Association, the Latino Center and other Wright State organizations:

Friday, Sept. 13, 7–10 p.m.: Blaze of Heritage Bonfire, Parking Lot 4a, led by the Amigos Latinos Student Association and others

Monday, Sept. 16,–Friday, Sept. 20: “Drink of the Week: Dulce Encanto” by ReyRey Cafe and the Amigos Latinos Student Association

Tuesdays, Sept. 17–Oct. 8, 5–6 p.m.: Free Latin Dance Classes led by the Amigos Latinos Student Association

Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Dayton Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Riverscape MetroPark, led by the Puerto Rican American and Caribbean Organization. Wright State University’s Latino community will be represented in the parade at noon and will host a booth.

Friday, Sept. 27, 6–9 p.m.: Drive-in Movie: “Nacho Libre,” Village Apartments, led by the Latino Center, Amigos Latinos Student Association and the Residential Community Association

Saturday, Sept. 28, 8:30–11:30 a.m.: Latino Wellness Clinic, El Puente Learning Center, led by the Latino Medical Student Association Boonshoft School of Medicine Chapter, El Puente Learning Center and the Latino Center

Saturday, Oct. 5, 5:30–10 p.m.: Ninth annual Amigos Latinos Gala, Wright State University Nutter Center Arena, led by the Latino Center and Amigos Latinos Alumni Society; sold out

Saturday, Oct. 12, 12:30–3:30 p.m.: Third annual Dominoes Tournament, Student Union Atrium, led by the Latino Center and the Amigos Latinos Student Association

Tuesday, Oct. 15, noon–2 p.m.: La Comida, 019 Student Union, led by the Amigos Latinos Association