21st Annual Latino IssuesConferencep. 10

Diamante AwardsScholarship Recipientsp. 9

The voice of the Latino community at BGSU

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Table of Contents3 Intro to Newsletter4 About the Writers5 Nomination Spotlight6 Organization Spotlights9 25th Diamante Awards10 Latino Issues Conference

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About the NewsletterDear readers:

September 4, 2014 marked the beginning of a dream; a dream for Latinos at Bowling Green State University to have an avenue of communication, a common place for everyone to come together. After 27 days of work, and thanks to the dedication and invaluable contributions of Taylor Hawes and Ray Plaza, the dream becomes a reality today, October 1, 2014. Today marks the beginning of a new alternative, a new outlet for Latinos at BGSU. Today, we proudly present to you La Voz. And how appropriate of a name it is for this newsletter, because this new alternative is the voice of the voiceless, the voice of the proud raza, our voice, nuestra voz.

La Voz seeks to serve two principle purposes. The first purpose is to inform. It is our responsibility, as members of this great community, to be aware of what is affecting us, directly or indirectly, locally or nationally. It is our responsibility, as creators of La Voz, to facilitate that awerness in an environment that lacks the bridge between the information and the consumer. Information is knowledge, and knowledge is power.

The second, and perhaps most important purpose, is to unify. Our community at BGSU is comprised of hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, who all share a culture and its roots. La Voz intends to be the go-to place for all of us to come together as one, unified community, no matter the age, the occupation, or the national origin. You will find information about all organizations that promote our culture to the university community as a whole, as well as spotlight those in our community who make a difference, here and elsewhere. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being the inspiration for this new alternative. In appreciation, we offer a product you can feel pride and actively participate in. La Voz is not just the dream of three individuals; it is the dream of all of us. Today we make history together. We make BGSU history, Latino history. Let us make our voice matter. Let us say, loud and proud: this is La Voz, nuestra voz.

Juan Pimiento

SubscribeTo receive up-to-date information on the newsletter and its publications, like us on Facebook at www.facebook/LaVozBG.

Juan PimientoJuan Pimiento is a senior, broadcast journalism major at BGSU. He is a former secretary, vice president, and president of the Latino Student Union, as well as a current member of La Comunidad. Juan is originally from Medellin, Colombia, and currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama. He is fluent in both Spanish and English, and is an avid soccer fan.

Ray PlazaRay Plaza serves as an Associate Director in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, where he oversees retention efforts, data management/assessment and Latino initiatives. He serves as the Chair of the Latino Issues Conference. In addition, Ray is one of the co-advisors to the Latino Student Union. Originally from Hialeah, Florida and born to Puerto Rican parents. Ray got his Bachelors and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida. He came to BGSU in November 2012 after fourteen years at Virginia Tech.

Taylor HawesTaylor Hawes is a senior at BGSU majoring in Visual Communications Technology and minoring in Spanish. She has studied abroad in Spain and is a member of Latino Student Union, former resident of La Comunidad, and treasurer of El Club de Español. She is originally from Columbus, OH and has dreams of traveling the world as much as possible.

About the Writers

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Nomination SpotlightOne of the features of this newsletter will be the opportunity to provide a spotlight on current and past members of the BGSU Latino/a community.

We will have spotlights in the following areas:

Undergraduate StudentGraduate StudentFacultyStaffAlumni

In order to nominate individuals for Spotlight consideration, please contact LaVozBG@gmail.com with nominee’s name and which catagory they fall under.

The deadline for Spotlight Nominations will be the 15th of each month. Nominees will be contacted and asked to provide a photo and a brief statement.

We look forward to our first set of spotlights in the November edition.

Sigma Lambda BetaSigma Lambda Beta, is one of the largest and fastest growing Latino based fraternities in the United States. It was founded on April 4, 1986 at the University of Iowa. It’s mission is to nurture and further a dynamic, value-based environment which utilizes our historically Latino based fraternity as a catalyst to better serve the needs and wants of all people.

At BGSU, the Nu Beta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta was established in 2001. The Betas work closely with the sisters of Sigma Lambda Gamma, as well as with the Latino Student Union.

For more information, please contact Riley Adams-Awalker at rileya@bgsu.edu.

Members: Daziel Roman, Miguel Nava, Riley Walker

La Conexión de Wood CountyLa Conexión de Wood County formed in early 2013, and is one of the few Latina/o based community organizations in Wood County. It brings together individuals from throughout Wood County in an effort to raise the profile for the needs of the Latino/a community. La Conexión works closely with the Latino Student Union and other organizations.

The focus of La Conexión is to be a welcoming resource of unity and representation for the Latino community of Wood County, Ohio and surrounding area, by: Establishing and nurturing connections among Latinos and with the Wood County community and surrounding area; Strengthening and promoting the Latino identity; Advocating for the Latino community of Wood County and the surrounding area; Engaging in educational and research activities to benefit Latinos and promote Latino contributions; Providing a resource for the needs of the Latino community; Providing direct assistance and services to the Latino community when existing services are not available, unresponsive or otherwise not easily accessible to the Latino community; and Promoting and highlighting Latino art and culture.

Since its inception, it has been focused on creating connections with the Latino/a community and in raising the profile of the community. One of the oldest of the efforts are the English as a Second Language classes and a children’s enrichment program at space donated by the First Presbyterian Church in downtown BG. Teachers for both programs are provided through collaborations with BGSU faculty and the Latino Student Union.

Among its past programs have included a Dia de los Muertos play/performance in the community, a welcome back community picnic called, “Conociendonos”, a welcomimg event at one of the Migrant work camps, and others.

La Conexión recently filed to be an official 501©3 organization through the IRS and also formally elected an official Board of Directors and Officers.

Board members:

To learn more about La Conexión, contact laConexiónwc@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.

President – Al GonzalezVice President – Ray PlazaTreasurer – Susana PeñaSecretary – Marsha Olivarez

Managing Director – Beatriz MayaStudent at Large – Julian RamirezCommunity at Large – VACANT

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Organization Spotlights

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La ComunidadLa Comunidad Spanish Learning Community was founded in 2000 by Faculty from the Department of Romance and Classical Studies. We are a residential learning community currently located at Kohl Hall. Our mission is the learning of the language and cultures of the Spanish speaking world. There is no requirement to be Spanish major or minor, just a genuine interest in learning and practicing Spanish skills. Of our current 29 members for the school year 2013-2014, we have 17 different majors.

Our various activities promote an environment where residents can practice their language skills. We conduct monthly cultural dinners, movie nights, game nights, weekly conversation hour in conjunction with the Spanish Club, and many other academic activities with the Department of Romance and Classical Studies and other departments and organizations on campus. We are diverse learning community with a common interest in the Spanish language and culture. Our residents truly find and learn the meaning of community while living in La Comunidad. A former student said of living in La Comunidad as, “It’s like living abroad at home.”

For further information on La Comunidad contact the Director Carmen Lizeth Alvarez acarmen@bgsu.edu 419-372-3533 Kohl Hall 027.

For further information on El Club de Espanol, join us via Orgsync.

Sigma Lambda GammaSigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., strives to be the premier organization committed to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women. We are a Latina based multicultural sorority that adheres to 5 principles; Academics, Community Service, Cultural Awareness, Morals and Ethics, and Social Interaction. We are women of distinction and hold each other accountable to living to a higher standard.

We pride ourselves on having an authentic sisterhood, one that is meant to support you throughout your college experience both emotionally and academically as well as in life after you graduate. We believe once you are sister; you are a sister for life. If you are interested in learning more about Sigma Lambda Gamma please contact our Recruitment Chair Kiara Esselman at ekiara@bgsu.edu.

Members: Brooklynn Martinez, Mayra Lopez, Taylor Snider, Ashley Peguies

Latino Student UnionThe Latino Student Union is an organization committed to improving the quality of life for all Latinos on campus. LSU exists to be a resource on campus for members to succeed as students, grow as a person, and ultimately make us their home away from home. We have been La Familia on campus since 1972 and have proven throughout the years that our sense of familia is what holds us together and makes us successful as an organization.

Through our major events such as Latino Heritage Month, National Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge, Latino Awareness Week, and the Latino Issues Conference; we aim to raise awareness about our culture.

Our membership, however; is not just limited to Latinos, we encourage students of any background to join LSU in order to learn about us as an organization and also to learn more about the Latino culture. Our popular slogan is, “Not Latino? Not a Problem!” And we truly adhere to it, we are here to empower and educate both Latinos and non-Latinos.

To learn more about how to get involved with the Latino Student Union come to our general body meetings every Wednesday at 9pm in room 207 of the Bowen Thompson Student Union. Below is also a list of our Executive Board members that you can get in contact with should you have any questions! We hope to see you all at our meetings and events!

Board Members:President: Mayra LopezVice President: Xiomara Hernandez de MarceloTreasurer: Hannah CardenasPolitical Action Chair: Catheline Longoria PerezPublic Relations: Chris LantonSecretary: Allie WitherpoonHistorian: Ashley RobinsonCo-Advisors: Ana Brown & Ray Plaza

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25th Diam

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25th Diamante Awards BGSU Scholarship RecipientsOn September 26, 2014, the Annual Diamante Awards were held in Toledo. This year marked a special milestone with the 25th anniversary of these awards. Diamante (diamond in Spanish) Community Awards were founded in 1989 by IMAGE of Northwest Ohio, a local chapter of a national Latino nonprofit organization, to recognize Hispanic contributions in the Toledo area and to raise scholarship funds.

The Diamante Community Awards are presented as part of a unique collaboration between area educational institutions- Bowling Green State University, Lourdes University, Owens Community College, The University of Toledo and Herzing University-Toledo. This initiative continues with the same purpose of providing the financial means for more Latinos to achieve their fullest potential by attending an Institution of higher learning.

We are honored to recognize the BGSU students that received scholarships:

BGSU Diamante Foundation ScholarshipToni Castillo Kandann Coleman Kiara Esselman Miguel Nava Anniedalyz Ruiz Daphanie Ruiz

BGSU Diamante Huntington Bank ScholarshipDiana Gonzalez Cynthia Ocana Juan Pimiento

PNC Diamante ScholarshipAdriana Darris

Owens Corning Diamante ScholarshipAlexis Martinez

We also want to recognize the work of the following BGSU staff who serve on the overall Diamante Planning committee: Yolanda Flores, Alexis DeAnda Martinez, and Connie Weaver.

21st Latino Issues ConferenceA Community at a crossroads: The Intersections of Immigration and Identity This October 23rd, we will mark the 21st Latino Issues Conference held at Bowling Green State University.

Originally started in 1995, the first Latino Issues Conference (LIC) was held as an opportunity to dialogue about the future growth and needs of the Hispanic/Latino community in an “inclusive discourse for the 21st century”. Since the first conference, the LIC has continued to remain true to this legacy of providing an opportunity to dialogue about the needs within the Hispanic/Latino community.

Didn’t we just have a conference? Yes we did. In April 2014, we marked the 20th Latino Issues Conference. After this conference, a decision was made to shift the conference back to the Fall timeframe to better coincide with the Latino Heritage Month celebrations. Why?

One of the challenges faced at BGSU is the increasing number of competing events taking place during the month of April. This issue became more apparent this April 2014 and led to calls within the Division of Student Affairs to rethink our timetable of programs. As a result, the LIC planning committee discussed the issue and made the decision to return to the Fall timetable. In addition, the Conference was also competing with the Latino Studies Cluster Research conference. By switching back to the Fall, we can better support our colleagues in the Cluster.

This year’s conference consists of the following:Cultural and Community Showcase The opportunity to highlight campus and community organizations that are providing service to the Latino/a community at BGSU and in the surrounding areas. It is also an opportunity to highlight some of the artistic and creative work of Latino/a students and professionals. Conference Luncheon One of the mainstays of the conference has been the conference luncheon. The luncheon brings together students, faculty, staff and community as they come together for the luncheon meal and entertainment. The planning committee works closely with the Catering service to ensure a meal that is authentic and representative of the Latino/a culture.

Awards As part of the conference, a number of awards are presented. This includes:

Outstanding Latino/a Undergraduate StudentOutstanding Latino/a Graduate StudentOutstanding Latino/a Faculty MemberOutstanding Latino/a Staff Member

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Outstanding Community-At-Large AwardThe Miguel Ornelas Award (highest honor that we can bestow)

Keynote Speaker As part of the luncheon, we have our traditional keynote address. This year, we are honored to have Mr. Moises Serrano as the keynote speaker. In light of our overall theme of Immigration, Moises brings a real-life perspective to the issues faced among our community when it comes to immigration.

Afternoon Town Hall meeting Traditionally after the luncheon and keynote address, we shift to education sessions. This year, we are attempting something different, as we will be hosting a Town Hall meeting on Immigration.

The purpose of this town hall meeting will be to begin to look at immigration on a broad (macro) level. Often times, when we talk about immigration, we talk about specific components (undocumented students, migrant workers), but rarely, if ever, do we ever talk about the broader issue of immigration. We argue that without addressing the broader issues, we will not be able to move forward on the specific components.

The Town Hall format will be unique to the conference but we believe provides a valuable educational opportunity for members of the BGSU and greater community to come together and engage around this topic. We want to ensure that we reflect both sides of the immigration argument through panels and presentations are reflective of both. We also want to ensure active engagement with attendees on this issue. Our goal and hope is that this Town Hall meeting can serve as a catalyst for others to continue this important conversation impacting our Latino/a community but the broader community as well.

Evening EntertainmentFollowing the Town Hall meeting and a short break, the conference will conclude with a mixer/entertainment organized by the Latino Student Union. More details will be available.

COST?The conference is Free, with the exception of the luncheon. Tickets for the luncheon are $15.00 for faculty/staff and community members. The luncheon is free for student participants. Departments and or community organizations can purpose tables at the luncheon for $150.00.

Registration for the conference will go live on October 3, 2014. Please go to www.bgsu/oma and click on Latino Issues Conference.

SubscribeTo keep up with our latest releases, like us on Facebook at www.facebook/LaVozBG.

La Voz is not an official BGSU publication. Photo credit to Latino Student Union, La Conexión, La Comunidad, the Betas and the Sigmas.

ContactQuestions? Interested in becoming part of La Voz? Send us an e-mail at LaVozBG@gmail.com.

Upcoming EventsOctober 20142 Tr3s Marias – Film Showing Gish Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (Hanna Hall)

3 Homecoming Parade – LSU Float 4:30 p.m. Downtown BG (Wooster Street)

4 LSU’s Latino/a Tailgate Falcon Tailgate Park 12:30 p.m.

November 2 Dia de Los Muertos Play Sponsored by La Conexión de Wood County St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 150 S. Enterprise Street 5:00 p.m.

7 El Encuentro Admissions event Olscamp 101 10:00 a.m.

23 The 21st Latino Issues Conference Bowen-Thompson Student Union 9:00 a.m.

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