Events

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
Darrin Slade, Dean Carla Koretsky, and Associate VP for Teaching and
Learning Jason Glass will celebrate and formalize a historic agreement between KPS and WMU to offer a Spanish program that enhances student learning and creates new academic pathways. 

Partnership Celebration flyer

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

Altar de muertos flyer

Altar de muertos activity for Spanish classes

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)

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.

Bernard Parley talk flyer

The Department of Spanish welcomes Captain Gregory Sumner, WMU alumn 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.

Capt. Sumner Talk flyer

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.

2023 Peace Lecture flyer

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.

Julián Ramírez Torres presentation flyer

"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!

"How Spanish Unlocks a World of Adventure" poster