Celebrating Latine Heritage Month 2024 With Music, Mocktails and More

The University is proud to present a vibrant lineup of events celebrating Latine Heritage Month—recognized officially between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 each year—from Monday, Sept. 16, through Saturday, Oct. 26.

This annual celebration provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to learn about the history, culture and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to over 20 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean, as well as international students who hail directly from these countries and contribute to our rich and diverse campus.

Members of RSO La LUCHA at the 2023 Latine Heritage Month information fair (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

“We, as the Latine Heritage Month committee, have engaged with countless campus partners, recognized student organizations and Greek life to create a dynamic Latine Heritage Month that encompasses the cultures of the Latine community here at Syracuse University,” says Cydavia Patterson, program coordinator at the Barner-McDuffie House, department co-chair for this year’s festivities. “Our hope with Latine Heritage Month is to establish a unified network of resources, information and community, highlighting the Latine community at Syracuse University.”

The theme of this year’s Latine Heritage Month celebration on campus is “Fronteras Sin Limites: Embracing our Borderless Cultures.” The planning committee and its partners centered events on exploring the experiences of Latine communities who live along and across borders, both physical and cultural, and highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the Latine community who navigate multiple identities and spaces.

Highlights of this year’s celebrations include:

• An opening ceremony on Monday, Sept. 16, in the Schine Student Center atrium. Kicking off at 2 p.m., there will be tabling by recognized student organizations (RSOs), special performances and more. (Co-sponsored by Student Association)
• The 6th annual Torneo de Fútbol (soccer tournament), to be held at the Women’s Building Field on Saturday, Sept. 21; teams can register through Sept. 18. (Co-sponsored by the Barnes Center at The Arch, South American and Latine Student Association and Lambda Theta Alpha)
• Sips to the Tropics, a joyful and inclusive student/faculty mixer featuring delicious handcrafted mocktails inspired by diverse Latine cultures, at the Barner-McDuffie House on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Caribbean Students Association)
• Arts and cultural exhibitions, including “WEIRD Barrio” by Syracuse-based Puerto Rican artist Manuel Matías (opening 20 at La Casita Cultural Center) and “Libros de Artista” featuring more than 60 pieces from The Artist Book Collection (opening Oct. 11 at Punto de Contacto-Point of Contact).
• Live DJ sets, panel discussions, roller skating, comedy, paint night and more!

Visit the Community Calendar for the full lineup and links to further information on each event.

Players at the 2023 Torneo de Fútbol (Photo by Julie Herman)

The planning and coordination of Latine Heritage Month is led by BIPOC Student Success, Programs and Services and Student Association. Co-sponsors include Bird Library, National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Inc., La Casita, Office of Cultural Engagement for the Hispanic Community, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Caribbean Student Association, Orange After Dark, Barnes Center at The Arch, Puerto Rican Students’ Association and Las Naranjas.

Additional programming support is offered by University Union, South American and Latine Student Association, Delsol Magazine, National Association of Hispanic Journalists-Syracuse University Chapter, Latin American Law Student Association, CitrusTV Noticias, Latino-Latin American studies program in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Law, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and several external academic contributors.

The 2023 Latine Heritage Month opening ceremony (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)