Oct. 8, 2025: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage, Juntos Somos Más

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Juntos Somos Más

Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month gives the Whitman community the opportunity to honor students with family roots in Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain for their rich cultural traditions that they bring to our campus.

The timing of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, coincides with independence anniversaries across Latin America. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all celebrate their independence on Sept. 15, while Mexico follows on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18. Rather than focusing on a single nation, the celebration embraces the diverse contributions and cultures of Hispanic communities throughout the United States.

Campus Celebrations and Community Building

At the heart of Whitman's celebrations are student-led initiatives that create spaces for cultural connection and pride. Whitman’s Latinos Unidos affinity group, whose name means "united," serves as a cornerstone for Hispanic students on campus.

“The Unidos club has created a safe space for its members and worked as an extended family,” explains Mariana Ruiz-González, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies and faculty advisor for Latinos Unidos. This sense of familia—family—strengthens students’ connection to their roots and helps them navigate college life while maintaining ties to their cultural identity.

Latinos Unidos recently hosted a Family Fiesta Night as a part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. They meet regularly at La Casa Hispana Interest House and at the Third Space Center.

Upcoming Events

On Saturday, Oct. 11, from 3–6 p.m., Whitman College alums Oliver Dickson ’25 and Yahir Tzec-Carrasco ’25 will screen their documentary “Roll Modelz” at 6:30 p.m. It’s part of a Car Show & Movie Night hosted by the Washington State Lowriders Car Club at the Milton-Freewater Drive-In Theater. The event is co-sponsored by the Whitman College Hispanic Studies Department. Transportation will be provided for students who wish to attend. Please RSVP in advance. “Roll Modelz” is in the process of being entered into film festivals worldwide. Follow its progress on Instagram (@rollmodelzdocumentary).

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 6–9 p.m., a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration will be held at the Third Space Center. This open house invites students to honor their collective heritage and traditions with music, food and vibrancy. Come together in community, juntos somos más.

On Friday, Oct. 17, from 5–6 p.m., Latinos Unidos will host a Craft Night. Participants will paint Mexican Cantaritos and make Guatemalan Worry Dolls.

Also on Friday, Oct 17, from 5–7 p.m., Whitman’s Hispanic Studies Department will host “Roll Modelz - A Chicano Lowrider Documentary Film”—a roundtable and screening with the filmmakers and members of the Washington State Lowriders Car Club. Refreshments will be provided.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 5:30–7:30 p.m., Latinos Unidos will host a salsa class taught by senior Meztli Mariscal Del Toro ’26.

On Monday, Oct. 27, from 4–6 p.m., Latinos Unidos and the Hispanic Studies Department will create a community ofrenda in the Reid Campus Center. It will remain on display until Monday, Nov. 3.

The Azulejos magazine is accepting submissions through Thursday, Oct. 30. The publication is dedicated to bringing fresh perspectives, compelling narratives, extending the use of Spanish and Spanglish, and creating a community of creative work. It is a space for expression using different media such as poetry, poems and photography. A launch presentation will take place early in December. (Flyer attached.)

Humanities Washington Public Humanities Fellows 2024–2025 Recipients Camilo Lund-Montaño (History Department) and Mariana Ruiz-Gonzalez (Hispanic Studies Department) will publish their book “Presencia y voces: Miradas desde la comunidad hispana/latina en Walla Walla” [Presence and Voices: Glimpses of the Hispanic/Latino Community in Walla Walla] in the spring. The project—previously presented in digital format—collects, preserves and publicizes oral histories and photographs from the Latinx/e communities to diversify the region’s visual culture and acknowledge Latinx/e representation and voices within Walla Walla and Southeastern Washington.

For further information on upcoming events, please follow Unidos (@whitmanunidos) and the Hispanic Studies Department (@wchispanicstudies) on social media. 

Year-Round Cultural Engagement

Hispanic Heritage Month serves as an annual highlight, but Whitman’s commitment to celebrating Hispanic culture extends throughout the year. 

Students can immerse themselves in Spanish and Latin American culture at La Casa Hispana, Whitman’s Spanish language Interest House, where residents share family-style dinners and plan campus-wide events.

Our campus radio station, KWCW, airs “El Molcajete: The Spanish Hour” every Friday during the fall semester, while the bilingual magazine “Azulejos” publishes student writing and art. “The Listeners Project: Queremos Escucharte” preserves oral histories in the college archives, ensuring these stories remain accessible to future generations.

It’s important to recognize the unique differences within the Latinx community rather than treating it as monolithic. Through these varied celebrations and ongoing programs, Whitman College creates space for students to honor their individual heritages while building a united, supportive community that uplifts Hispanic voices and culture year-round.

Celebrating Our Hispanic Community: Past, Present and Future

As our nation navigates a complex political landscape marked by heightened debate around immigration, identity and belonging, Whitman College stands firm in its commitment to celebrating and supporting the Hispanic community that enriches our campus and the Walla Walla Valley. In times of uncertainty, it becomes even more essential to recognize the foundational contributions of Hispanic and Latino individuals to the fabric of American society and to reaffirm our institutional values of inclusion, dignity and respect.

The Hispanic Community at Whitman

Hispanic or Latino students comprise 14.1% of Whitman's enrolled student population, representing a vibrant and growing presence on campus. These students bring diverse perspectives from across the Americas, enriching classroom discussions, cultural programming, and campus life. Hispanic Studies majors often serve as writing fellows, cultural coordinators, and language teaching assistants for upper-level courses, while others work for Bilingual United or as tour guides and overnight hosts for Admission visits, demonstrating leadership and commitment to fostering bilingual inclusivity.

The Hispanic Studies Department stands as an academic home for students passionate about the Spanish language, literature and culture. Our dedicated faculty members create spaces where students engage with the richness of Hispanic intellectual traditions while developing critical thinking and writing skills that serve them throughout their lives.

More than 12% of current Whitman employees are Hispanic or Latino, contributing their talents across all divisions of the college—from faculty and administration to facilities and dining services. These staff and faculty members are essential to Whitman's mission, and their presence helps ensure that our institution reflects and serves the diversity of our community.

Deep Roots in the Walla Walla Valley

The Hispanic presence in the Walla Walla Valley extends back generations, woven into the very foundation of the region's development. By 1870, Walla Walla had a large Mexican population during the mining boom. Today, 19.7% of Walla Walla County’s population is of Hispanic or Latino origin, reflecting sustained growth and an enduring commitment to this community. Many families in Walla Walla come from diverse Latino heritage, not just from Mexican American or Mexican heritage, creating a rich tapestry of cultural traditions, languages and experiences that strengthen the entire valley.

The Hispanic community has been the backbone of Walla Walla’s agricultural sector, wine industry, food systems and countless small businesses. Their labor, innovation and cultural contributions have shaped this region's identity and economic vitality in profound and lasting ways.

Standing Together in Uncertain Times

The current national political climate has created anxiety and fear in many communities, particularly among immigrant families and those whose presence in this country has been questioned or threatened. Rhetoric around immigration, citizenship and belonging has intensified across the political spectrum, leaving many feeling vulnerable about their place in American society.

At Whitman College, we recognize that the Hispanic community is not merely part of America—it is foundational to who we are as a nation. From the fields and orchards to classrooms and boardrooms, Hispanic individuals have built this country alongside every other community, contributing immeasurably to our economy, culture, arts, sciences and civic life.

We value every member of our Hispanic community—students, faculty, staff and neighbors—not despite political debates, but because of their inherent worth, their talents and their essential contributions to Whitman and beyond. In times when personal freedoms and human dignity face threats, educational institutions must be places of sanctuary, support and unwavering commitment to justice.

Looking Forward With Resolve

Whitman College’s commitment to the Hispanic community extends beyond words. It means creating spaces where Spanish-speaking students feel at home, where cultural celebrations are honored and shared, where scholarship on Latin American and Latino experiences flourishes, and where every member of our community can thrive without fear.

As we move forward together through these uncertain times, let us remember that our diversity is our strength. The Hispanic community at Whitman and in Walla Walla enriches us all, challenges us to grow and reminds us of the values that bind us: compassion, respect and the fundamental belief that every person deserves dignity, opportunity and belonging.

Whitman College stands with our Hispanic community today and always.