Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a wide range of events honoring the rich history, culture and diversity of the U.S. Hispanic and Latino communities. The celebration will begin mid-September

“As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, we take pride in empowering our students and engaging with the communities we serve,” says Elizabeth Babcock Depew, vice chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the vibrant cultures and contributions of our community, while reinforcing our dedication to providing a supportive environment for students to thrive. We are excited to engage students and the campus community in another year of learning and celebration.”

“This year our theme for Hispanic Heritage Month at PNW is Somos Excelencia – we are excellence,” says Iris Sanchez, director of Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiatives. “We are also celebrating our first year of being officially designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.”

This year’s annual celebration features a variety of cultural and academic events throughout the month, including the popular Hispanic Heritage Festival, a lecture by Dr. Antonia Novello, the first Latina U.S. Surgeon General, salsa dance nights and a Hispanic small business expo. 

Event information and updates can be found by visiting pnw.edu/hhm.

PNW will start the celebration on Monday, Sept. 16 with the Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-off Event from noon to 2 p.m. during the Power Hour at the Westville campus, 1401 U.S. 421, Westville, IN. The celebration will feature a DJ, t-shirt giveaways, snacks and fun activities. On the same day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the PNW Spanish Club will re-enact “El Grito,” a speech that declared the pursuit of independence from Spain. The event will feature student tabling, Lotería, live mariachi music, Aztec dance performances and family-friendly activities. The event will take place at PNW’s Hammond campus, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN.

On Sept. 27 at 10 a.m., Dr. Antonia Novello, the 14th Surgeon General of the United States, the first woman and the first Latina to serve in this role, will be on the Hammond campus to speak about her groundbreaking experience. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Novello is a fierce advocate for youth, minorities and women and has served in leadership roles with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and UNICEF.

The not-to-be-missed Hispanic Heritage Festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 22 on the Hammond campus. The fourth annual festival will feature food from local vendors, live entertainment and activities for every age group, including a kid’s craft station and a mechanical bull. 

“There are many things I hope our PNW community, students and our community take away from this year’s celebrations, like learning how we celebrate this month throughout Latin America, PNW’s commitment to honoring this month and the importance of celebrating with our community,” says Sanchez. “I hope our students feel a sense of belonging and pride in sharing their heritage with others.” 

Committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for the university and neighboring communities, PNW annually celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize and highlight the diverse peoples, histories and cultures in the Latino diaspora.

PNW has earned official designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). This designation makes PNW the largest HSI in the state of Indiana.

Most PNW Hispanic Heritage Month events are free and open to the public. For more information on PNW’s Hispanic Heritage Month events, visit pnw.edu/hhm.