Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration period that began on Sept. 15 and lasts until Oct. 15. Kean University is proud to recognize this remarkable period as it celebrates the contributions and influences of Hispanic culture throughout history.
Hispanic Heritage can be celebrated throughout many ways to honor the legacies of those who came before and contributed their culture from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This celebratory period first started out as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 by former President Lyndon Johnson. That was until it was expanded into a month-long recognition by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Sept. 15 is the independence day for Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile respectively celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18.
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, a few of Kean's student groups and organizations will host a variety of events to engage with the rest of the community despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Events will vary either in a virtual format or in-person while maintaining the proper safety guidelines such as completing a mandatory health screening with the #Campus Clear app, wearing a face mask at all times, and practicing social distancing. Pre-registration is required at all events so it is important to register on Cougar Link beforehand.
These events kick off Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6p.m. with the Hispanic Heritage Kick-off: Latin Patio hosted by Student Organization for residential students. This will take place at the Miron Student Center Basketball Courts. Get ready to celebrate with a night full of food, games, music, giveaways, and many more. Make sure to register on Cougar Link to reserve a spot today. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Government at stuorg@kean.edu.
Kean Got Talent, another organization mostly noted for welcoming majors who wish to be involved in the arts will host their own Hispanic Heritage Month event on Monday, Sept. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This event is virtual and open to all students who wish to participate. Join Kean Got Talent to celebrate Hispanic Heritage while enjoying songs, singing and poetry from many Spanish speaking countries. Visit their page on Cougar Link to learn more today.
Kean Latin Rhythms will be hosting many virtual Salsa and Bachata Classes on Google Meet and Instagram Live for all students to attend throughout the semester. All events start at 7 p.m. on specific dates. This organization is an open level dance group teaching Latin styles, Bachata, and Salsa for anyone who wants to learn or pursue dance culture. For more information on how to participate in the dance sessions or just want to have fun virtually, visit Kean Latin Rhythms' page on Cougar Link and follow them on Instagram (@keanlatinrhythms).
More events are added daily so be ahead of the crowd to reserve your spots today once they are available to browse. There are also other ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month all while being safe and healthy especially during this time. Some creative ideas may include honoring famous Hispanic people, eating authentic Hispanic food, reading Hispanic literature, listening to Hispanic music, hosting a live virtual speaker on Zoom, or just learning more about Hispanic culture to appreciate and honor Hispanic ancestors. Kean University is proud to be an institution to deliver both a world-class education as well as a world-class culture melting pot open for all no matter the distance.
