A celebration to support Latino/a students who will graduate in May from Illinois State University joins the ranks of commencement ceremonies on campus.
The first Nuestro Logros (Our Achievements) will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 17, in the Old Main Room of the Bone Student Center. The event will include faculty and student speakers, and a performance by the dance troupe Ritmo Del Alma.
All those who support the graduating Latino/a students are welcome. Nuestro Logros joins Lavender Graduation, which was held April 13, and Umoja: A Celebration of Black Graduates, which is slated for May 5, as opportunities to honor the achievements of graduates.
“We want this to be a lively and interactive celebration of the many students who share Latina/o culture,” said Lorena Lopez, a senior social work major from Bolingbrook, Illinois, who spearheaded the formation of Nuestro Logros after hearing about the Lavender Graduation that began on campus last fall.
Students can register for the Nuestro Logros celebration here.
Lopez, who volunteers with the University’s Welcome Week, approached then-Dean of Students Art Munin with the idea. Munin and Danny Mathews of Diversity Advocacy in the Dean of Students Office helped Lopez bring together a committee of students to plan the ceremony.
“This will be a space where our Latino students can be recognized for the unique and important contributions they make to the ISU campus community,” said Mathews, adding “Somos una familia de Redbird!”
Lopez worked with the student organizations Association of Latin American Students, Alpha Psi Lambda, Gamma Phi Omega, and Sigma Lambda Gamma throughout the academic year to plan for the new event.
“Not only will this let us honor how hard students have worked to reach this point, but it will provide a welcoming place for future Redbirds,” said Lopez.
For additional information, contact Lopez at lllopez@ilstu.edu or Mathews at dcmathe@ilstu.edu. Information is also available on the Nuestro Logros Facebook page.
