Events
The Department of Spanish at Western Michigan University hosts many events throughout the year.
CURRENT & ONGOING Events
Mesa española / Spanish Conversation Table
Mesa española (martes a las 4 pm y miércoles a las 3 pm en el lobby de Brown Hall)
Tutorías de español / Free Spanish Tutoring
Tutorías de español (martes a las 9, 10, 11 am y 3 pm y miércoles a las 12, 3 y 4 pm en el lobby de Brown Hall)
Spanish Club @ WMU
Club de español (miércoles a las 4:30 p.m. en el Centro estudiantil de WMU)
Festival de cine / Spanish Film Festival
Festival de cine (cada dos jueves a las 5 p.m. empezando el 20 de febrero en 1025 Brown)
Baile y música en español / Hispanic Music and Dance Lesssons
Coming soon!
Cocina hispánica / Hispanic Cuisine Cooking Classes
Coming soon!
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UPCOMING Events
Immigration and the 'Crisis' at the Border
Public Presentation by Phi Beta Kappa Scholar, Geraldo Cadava, Mon. Jan. 27, 4 p.m., Fetzer Kirsch Auditorium
Professor Cadava is Professor of History and Latina and Latino Studies at Northwestern University. He is also a Contributing Writer for The New Yorker, and is the author of The Hispanic Republican: The Shaping of An American Political Identity, from Nixon to Trump (Ecco, 2020), and Standing On Common Ground: The Making of a Sunbelt Borderland (Harvard, 2013). At present, he’s writing a history of Latinos over the past 500 years, tentatively titled A Thousand Bridges, to be published by Crown in 2026. Professor Cadava hosts the podcast Writing Latinos, and is co-Editor-in-Chief of the online magazine Public Books. Professor Cadava will deliver a public lecture on "Immigration and the 'Crisis' at the Border." He will discuss how immigration policy has changed over time, how the border evolved, and what makes the present situation both similar to and different from earlier moments of crisis. Reception to follow in the Fetzer lobby. |
Immigration and Latinas/Latinos in the U.S.
Informal conversation/roundtable discussion with Phi Beta Kappa Scholar, Geraldo Cadava, Tues. Jan. 28, 10 a.m., Lee Honors College Lounge
Join us for an informal conversation/roundtable discussion with Phi Beta Kappa Scholar, Geraldo Cadava, on the topic of Immigration and Latinas/Latinos in the U.S. Cookies and lemonade available after the event. |
Millie Boutwell, "Tagging Culture: The Art of Graffiti & My Study Abroad Experience in Ecuador"
Rescheduled for Wed., February 26, 3 p.m., 3025 Brown Hall
Student of Spanish, participant in the Quito study abroad program, and Gilman Scholarship winner, Millie Boutwell will speak about her life in Quito in Summer I, 2024 and how that experience opened her eyes to the graffiti culture. Apetizers and refreshements after the talk. Millie Boutwell talk flyer (rescheduled due to inclement weather. Stay tuned for new date!) |
PAST Events
WMU-KPS Spanish Dual-Enrollment Partnership Celebration, Oct. 31, 11-noon, Dunbar 2nd floor lobby
Join us in celebration of a new partnership with the WMU College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Spanish and Kalamazoo Public Schools. KPS Superintendent |
"Altar de muertos" (Day of the Dead Altar) on exhibit Oct. 28-Nov. 10 at Waldo Library, 1st floor
The Altar de muertos is an homage to the dead during the annual Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The Altar is a way to honor and remember our loved ones who have passed away by welcoming their souls back home. It takes the form of an “ofrenda” or offering, and is typically build on multiple levels to represent the journey from heaven to earth and the underworld. It is richly decorated with flowers, the deceased’s favorite foods and drinks, and it includes photos and personal objects associated with the person being honored. “Papel picado” (paper cut into symbolic shapes), “calaveras” (sugar skulls), and typical objects associated with death, such as de “copal” or incense bowl, whose smoke and scent guide the soul home, are frequently used in these altars. The Department of Spanish at WMU dedicates its Altar de Muertos to a prominent figure who has died the current year. This year, the honoree is Xavier López Rodríguez, “Chabelo,” a popular Mexican actor, comedian and singer. Check out this video of the altar by some of our graduate students |
POSTPONED! Presentation by Nicaraguan human rights activist Tamara Dávila. Originally scheduled for Oct. 29, has been postponed until further notice.
The Department of Spanish presents Tamara Dávila Rivas, a Nicaraguan human rights activist, feminist and political leader. She is currently a Human Rights Fellow at the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College. Ms. Dávila Rivas has committed herself to the civic struggle for justice, freedom and democracy in Nicaragua and will be speaking on our responsibility to stay engaged in our political and social causes with the goal of upholding our democratic principles and our freedoms. Her talk, titled "Setbacks to Democracy: Lessons from Experience," will be followed by a conversation on the state of our democracy. Light food and refreshments will be available. Tamara Dávila talk flyer (TBD) |
Presentation by Bernard Perley, Director of the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies and Professor at the University of British Columbia, on Thurs., Oct. 10, 7 p.m., Trimpe Multicultural Center
The University Center for the Humanities, with support from the Department of Spanish and other academic units, brings to you social anthropologist, Dr. Bernard Perley, an expert on indigenous cultures, who will be giving a free public talk on "Leveraging Un|Certainty: Hyperdisciplinarity and the Arts of Tomorrow." Dr. Parley is a member of the Maliseet Nation in Tobique, New Brunswick, and holds a BFA in studio arts, a Masters of Architecture, and a PhD in Social Anthropology. His publications include the book _Defying Maliseet Language Death: Emergent Vitalities of Language, Culture, and Identity in Eastern Canada_ (University of Nebraska Press, 2011). He promotes interdisciplinary and community-based research and advocacy for indigenous vitality. Come meet visiting scholar Dr. Bernard Perley and enjoy donuts and bagels on Thurs., Oct. 10, at 11 a.m. in Moore 1101. You will see some of his comic strips while learning about how he has brought together diverse interests in anthropology, art, advocacy, languages, comics, and more in his career. |
Talk by Spanish alum and airline pilot, Capt. Greg Sumner on Wed., February 28, 3 p.m., 3025 Brown Hall
The Department of Spanish welcomes Captain Greg 'Gregorio' Sumner, WMU alum and benefactor. Capt. Sumner, who graduated from WMU in 1994 with degrees in Spanish and Aviation, will speak to our students about the value of a Spanish degree. His talk, titled "¿Por qué estudiar español? Why Study Spanish," will include valuable information about Capt. Sumner's career after graduating from WMU and advice for students on the transition from WMU to the workplace. Capt. Sumner is a pilot with United Airlines, flying 737 and 767 airplanes. He has been a leader with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and visits Washington, D.C. frequently on his advocacy role for the airline industry and the pilots union. |
Peace Lecture by Univ. of Michigan Professor on Thurs. October 26, 2023, 6 p.m., Fetzer Center, Putney Auditorium
The Department of Spanish is proud to co-sponsor The Center for the Study of Ethics in Society's Peace Lecture by Professor Edgar Franco-Vivanco. Prof. Franco-Vivanco, whose talk is titled "Between Violence and Resistance: The Challenges of Latin America in the 21st Century," holds a PhD from Stanford University and is an assistant professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan. He has received awards for his work on the long-term legacies of colonialism in Latin America and the resistance movements by its indigenous populations. |
Visit and Talk by 2023-24 Alumni Achievement Award recipient, Mr. Julián Ramírez Torres, on Tues. Nov. 7, 12 p.m., University Center for the Humanities, 2500 Knauss Hall
Julián Ramírez Torres was a first-generation TRIO college student at WMU graduating in 2012 with degrees in Spanish and Secondary Education. After years as a teacher, he began his career in school administration. Today, he is the Principal at the dual-language Southwest Middle High School-Academia Bilingüe (7-12) in Grand Rapids. Mr. Ramírez Torres is also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, having served two years in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He has received numerous awards and medals for his service. Come join us at Mr. Ramírez Torres' talk on the benefits of a Spanish degree. |
Spring 2023 Honors and Awards
The Department of Spanish is delighted to present the list of our Spring 2023 Honors and Awards recipients, featuring all the students who have won scholarships and awards. We are proud of you and hope you enjoy sharing the PowerPoint with your friends and family. ¡Enhorabuena! |
Visit and Talk by alumna Isabel López Slattery - Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, 12-1 p.m., 2028 Brown
"HOW SPANISH UNLOCKS A WORLD OF ADVENTURE" Isabel studied Spanish and Communications at WMU between 2006 and 2011. She now owns her own successful photography and communications company, Isabel Media Studios, located in Grand Rapids. Come and learn what a degree in Spanish can do for you! |
OTHER Past Events
Teatro Nuestro of Battle Creek performance of "El Nombre" by Griselda Gamaro | March 15 |
2 p.m. | 1028 Brown Hall
This performance, followed by a conversation with Director Tania Fleitas, is free and open to the public.
Department Writing Contest
Department Video Contest
Video Contest Wednesday, March 20, 4:00 p.m. | 1028 Brown Hall
Film Festival
Hispanic Film Festival | March 18, 19, 20, and 21 | 1028 Brown Hall | Information will soon be posted here.
Honors and Awards Ceremony 2019
Friday, April 5, 3 to 5 p.m.
Bernhard Center Rooms 208 and 209
Honors and Awards Ceremony 2018
See photo gallery from the ceremony.
Dr. Felkel's Retirement
See photo gallery from the retirement party.
In Memory of Michael Braun
Continue reading here for more information.
Altar De Muertos - Día de los muertos
October 27 to November 8 | 2nd Floor Waldo Library | Information Here
El día de los muertos is associated with Mexico, but this holiday is celebrated most in Latin America.
Film Festival
Hispanic Film Festival | November 6 and 8 | 1025 Brown Hall | Continue reading here for more information.