With vibrant mariachi music and a wide display of culture, the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute (JAULI) celebrated the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday.
Lori Tarke, advisor of JAULI, coordinated the Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff event, which was open to all students. Seton Hall’s Latino organizations—including dance clubs, professional development groups and sororities—also tabled at the event to showcase their organizations and connect with students.
“It is all about celebrating our heritage, our history, but also our impact in America and really highlighting the beauty of our culture, not only to Latino students, but to all students,” Tarke said. “The Latino population is growing, and so it’s important for us to not only invite everybody to be part of our community, but also to take pride in who we are as well.”
The event reflected JAULI’s broader role on campus and highlighted SHU’s status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. JAULI provides academic, cultural and community programs designed to support student success. Many of JAULI’s sponsors have also supported scholarships and funding through the annual Generaciones Gala and attended Tuesday’s event.
Goya representatives share food and products with students | By Keira Bala | The Setonian
Among them was Goya, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, which handed out snacks and drinks associated with Hispanic culture.
“The founder of our institute, Joseph A. Unanue, was the CEO of Goya until about 20 years ago,” Tarke said.
While the tables gave students a chance to learn about organizations and campus resources, music offered another way to enjoy the culture being celebrated.
A mariachi band performed at noon in front of the University Center, drawing students who gathered to listen and sing along.
“It’s really a community love letter,” Tarke said. “That’s what I love about everything we do.”
For some students, celebrating Hispanic culture means creating opportunities to learn about traditions such as dance. Unidos Bailamos, a multicultural dance team that specializes in Latin American dance, provides students with a space to explore these traditions while bringing people from different backgrounds together.
Unidos Bailamos translates to “together we dance,” a fitting name for a club that brings people together through movement and music.
William Sherman, a junior film production major, emphasized that students do not need to come from a particular background or have dance experience to participate.
“We’re open to anybody, from whatever ethnic origin you come from, or whatever dance level you are,” Sherman said.
Joel Robertson, a junior psychology major on the pre-med track and the public relations chair for Unidos Bailamos, echoed Sherman’s sentiment.
Students representing Unidos Bailamos pose at their table | By Keira Bala | The Setonian
“You could have literally no rhythm; it does not matter. When you come to one of our workshops, you’ll have rhythm by the time Danny is done with you,” Robertson said.
Robertson also credits the organization with reigniting his love for dance.
“I love dancing, and I hadn’t danced in a long time,” he said. “I really wanted to re-explore my love for it, especially in a different style that I wasn’t used to.”
Beyond dance, students said that celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month also creates an opportunity to look beyond stereotypes and recognize the diversity within Hispanic culture.
John Otalora, a senior biology major, said he wishes more people knew that “Colombian people are very friendly and hospitable.”
For Mia Coe, a senior exercise science major, Hispanic Heritage Month is also deeply connected to her family’s history.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is important to me as a child of immigration on both sides of my family,” Coe said. “My great-grandparents came to the United States from Mexico in search of a better life for my grandparents and my father. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made so that I may have endless opportunities.”
“I am incredibly proud to have such a diverse background,” Coe continued.
The celebration also resonated with students who do not identify as Hispanic or Latino. Sylis Gilot, a junior mathematics and computer science major, joined Unidos Bailamos despite being Haitian.
“I’m Haitian, so I’m surrounded by a lot of Caribbean culture, including Puerto Rican culture,” Gilot said. “[Unidos Bailamos] is a great way for me to really explore other cultures and get a feel for dancing that might not be from where I’m from.”
Gilot said exploring other cultures is an important way to learn about and appreciate other communities.
“There’s nothing wrong with exploring a culture and just learning about them,” he said. “It’s a great way to broaden your horizons.”
Keira Bala is The Setonian’s Videographer. She can be reached at keira.bala@student.shu.edu.
