Silver City, NM - The dream of Patricia Cano, a retired Western New Mexico University professor who taught Chicano Studies for 25 years, is finally coming true during Homecoming Weekend on October 9.
The Chicano Conference will be a reunion for all Hispanic students who graduated from WNMU including those who were members of Chicano organizations such as Los Estudiantes Unidos and MEChA. The conference will be an opportunity for the students to be back at their alma mater, serving as panelists and discussing current social issues affecting the Chicano community.
"In the early 1970s, Los Estudiantes Unidos, the first Chicano organization on campus, was organized and became very active," said Cano. "The students demanded that the university offer courses that were culturally relevant to them."
During that time, Dr. Bonnie Buckley-Maldonado and Dr. Art Martinez began teaching the first Chicano Studies courses. Workshops were conducted on campus with professors from nearby universities. "These were the first Chicano conferences on campus and the students organized them around Dia de la Raza," explained Cano.
One of the students in attendance was Cano. She was inspired to become a Chicano Studies professor and taught Spanish and other courses until her retirement in 2014.
"It was my dream to organize a Raza Alumni Reunion and to bring back students from these Chicano organizations and other Hispanic students as well," said Cano.
The conference will include two guest panels discussing current issues affecting the Chicano community. Most of the panelists will be Chicano alumni and students. They will be joined by Dr. Felipe de Ortego y Gasca, a pioneer in Chicano studies. Political cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz will deliver the keynote address.
The October 9 events are open to the public at no charge.
Schedule:
8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. - Registration and light breakfast, Global Resource Center
9:30 a.m. - Welcome by WNMU President Joseph Shepard and introduction of Chicano alumni students by Patricia Cano
9:45 a.m. - Panel 1: "Election Issues, Engaging The Chicano Community and Getting Out The Vote in 2016". Panelists: Horatio Campos-Moreno, Spenser Baca, Guadalupe Cano, Robert Mendoza, Noel Nunez, Miguel Narváez, Jr. and Julio Salazar.
11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. - Lunch, Dutch Treat at Mustang Dining Hall
1:30 p.m. - Keynote address: Lalo Alcaraz, artist, political cartoonist and producer of Bordertown animated series
2:30 p.m. - Panel II: Revisiting WNMU's Commitment as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Panelists: Dr. Felipe de Ortego y Gasca, Tony Trujillo, Dr. Luis Quiñones, Mario Carreón and Dennis Luna
3:45 p.m. - Closing Remarks and Directions for the Future by Dr. Jose Herrera, College of Arts & Sciences Dean
Following the conference, attendees are invited to join other alumni at the Alumni Awards Dinner and Dance at 6:00 p.m. in Graham Gym. Three alumni will be honored including Senator Howie Morales, Alfred Ogas and Dr. Lorraine Morales. Tickets for this event may be purchased online at http://alumni.wnmu.edu/homecoming.