Rice University will honor Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with a series of events dedicated to recognizing the rich contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx Americans throughout the country’s history.
This year’s theme is Florecemos Con Comunidad: We Bloom with Community with the Hispanic History Month website expanding upon the theme:
“The idea of finding growth and strength in one’s community is a sentiment that is often expressed within Hispanic communities and collectivist cultures. We rely on our family, friends, neighbors, etc. in times of celebration and struggle. In times where it may seem impossible to find achievement or fulfillment beyond the barriers presented, we can find belonging and opportunities within our respective communities and relationships. Much like a flower coming into full bloom, we too can weather the conditions against us and still flourish into something great.”
The monthlong celebration provides an opportunity to highlight the Hispanic and Latinx community’s struggles, triumphs and cultural impact, fostering a deeper understanding of the Hispanic and Latinx American experience.
As Rice gears up for Hispanic Heritage Month, it remains dedicated to creating a meaningful and impactful celebration that not only recognizes the month’s historical significance but also serves as an opportunity for reflection, education and fostering a sense of community among students, staff, faculty and the broader community.
To reach this goal, the planning committee recruited staff and faculty members to design the programming, bringing together Owls who identify as Hispanic or Latino/a/x/e as well as a consortium from different backgrounds interested in supporting the Hispanic and Latinx community.
The celebration at Rice includes a carefully planned series of events, discussions and festivities, highlighting the richness of Hispanic and Latinx culture. For a full list, visit the Hispanic Heritage Month website.
All month: Fondren Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, West Entrance, across from Circulation
Browse and check out books from Fondren Library’s collection that explore Hispanic heritage.
Sept. 16: Paleta Popup!, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., all serveries
Paleta carts will join all serveries during lunch to serve delicious, frozen treats.
Sept. 17: Thursday Hangouts, 3:30 p.m., Multicultural Center
Hang out with other students, faculty and staff to enjoy food and fellowship during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Sept. 17: ‘Beyond the Hedges: Historias de Latinidad at Rice University,’ 6-8 p.m., Julia Ideson Library (Houston Public Library Downtown), 550 McKinney St.
Celebrate more than a century of Latine contributions to Rice and Houston at the opening reception for the museum exhibition, “Beyond the Hedges: Historias de Latinidad at Rice University,” featuring archival research from Rice’s Woodson Research Center and the Houston Public Library’s Special Collections. Registration required.
Sept. 17-Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration — Dinner Takeovers, various serveries
Guests will explore the bold flavors of Latin America with special menus every Thursday during Hispanic Heritage Month at select locations.
- Sept. 17, North Servery, Peruvian cuisine
- Sept. 24, Baker Servery, El Salvadorian cuisine
- Sept. 24, West Servery, Mexican cuisine
- Oct. 1, South Servery, Venezuelan cuisine
- Oct. 8, South Main Servery, Brazilian cuisine
- Oct. 15, Seibel Servery, Puerto Rican cuisine
Sept. 23: Taste of CELAS + CELAS Research Expo, 12 p.m., Rayzor Lobby
Join the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies for an engaging showcase of student research and community connection. This event features undergraduate and graduate fellowship recipients sharing their recent research conducted in Texas, Latin America and the Philippines. Enjoy delicious Mexican bites and drinks while exploring student achievements and learning about upcoming funding opportunities.
Sept. 23: Salsa Dance Workshop, 7:30 p.m., Baker College Commons
Learn salsa from instructor and choreographer how to dance salsa choreographed by Veronica Paz. Beginner and intermediate dancers are welcome. Snacks will be provided.
Sept. 24: Hispanic Heritage Month Hangout, 3-5 p.m., Multicultural Center
Join the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with delicious food, amazing people and a lot of laughter.
Sept. 24: Hispanic Heritage Happy Hour: Mocktail Edition, 4-5:30 p.m., Valhalla Courtyard
The Student Wellbeing Office invites Owls to enjoy delicious mocktails, music and good vibes while celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the vibrant cultures that make the community at Rice special.
Sept. 24: Owls After Dark: Lotería Night, 7 p.m., Grand Hall, Rice Memorial Center
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the Student Center and the Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment at Rice are collaborating to host a Lotería Night.
Sept. 25: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Carne Asada Night, 6-8 p.m., Multicultural Center
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers will host a cookout open to the campus featuring Hispanic and Latin American dishes, desserts and music.
Sept. 27: El Día de la Comunidad at Rice, 2-5:30 p.m., Grand Hall
Join for an afternoon celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities at Rice and beyond. The name reflects exactly what this day is about: coming together as one community to honor and celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage, side by side. The celebration kicks off with Community Connections or Conexiones con la Comunidad. From there, gather around for ¡Comida! or catered Hispanic food and refreshments to share as a community. The afternoon closes with the Nuestra Herencia Artistic Showcase, featuring live performances from Rice student groups celebrating Hispanic and Latino art, music and culture.
Oct. 6: Free Paletas, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Inner Loop crosswalk near Multicultural Center
Take a break and cool off with free paletas hosted by the Office of General Counsel. Come say hello, grab a treat and get to know the legal team.
Oct. 7: The Texas and Latin America Social Science Forum, 12-1:30 p.m., Room 130, Kraft Hall
This lunchtime forum will explore future collaboration between Rice social scientists and professor Guadalupe Valdes of Stanford University. It will showcase social science scholarship and its relevance to helping native Spanish speakers in Texas.
Oct. 8: The Case for Marriage: Negotiating Racial Categorization in the 17th-Century Pacific World, 3 p.m., Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library
This presentation forms part of Diego Javier Luis’s current book project, which explores the many vulnerabilities of Spain’s transpacific empire and how individuals positioned themselves to benefit from the fracturing of colonial power in its borderlands. More specifically, it comes from a section focusing on the emergence of a Black Pacific world within the Spanish Pacific empire. The event is co-sponsored by the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies, Center for African and African American Studies and Chao Center for Asian Studies.
Oct. 10: Dimensions Variable: Danza Azteca Macuilxochitl + Nameless Sound, 3 p.m., Moody Center for the Arts
Inspired by the exhibition “Radiant Geometries: Vectors of Knowledge” from the Indigenous Americas, this event features live performances by Danza Azteca Macuilxochitl and Nameless Sound, followed by treats from Morelia Gourmet Paletas. Free and open to the public.
Oct. 15: Thursday Hangouts, 3:30 p.m., Multicultural Center
Hang out with other students, faculty and staff to enjoy food and fellowship during Hispanic Heritage Month.