Campus To Celebrate Latiné Heritage Month 2025

09/18/2025

In honor of Latiné Heritage Month, SUNY Cortland will host an event series both on campus and downtown in cooperation with Cortland city partners.

"Each year at SUNY Cortland, we observe Latiné Heritage Month, also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of people whose heritage come from Latin America," said organizer Jose Ortiz, assistant professor of foundations and social advocacy.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The day of Sept. 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, the university will join downtown Cortland partners to present the Crown City Latinx Festival. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Groton Avenue parking lot located between Los Lagos and the Hollywood restaurants. This community celebration is free and open to all.

Festival highlights include:

• SUNY Cortland's Ritmo Latino dance group will perform on stage and invite the crowd to join in for beginner-friendly dance lessons.
• Local restaurants will offer flavors of Latin culture including Los Lagos and Veracruzana Mexican Restaurant, along with a variety of other local vendors serving unique bites and goods.
• A Latin DJ will keep the energy high throughout the day.
• A lively mariachi band will bring the traditional sounds of Mexico to the heart of Cortland.
• CNY Latino of Syracuse will hold a dominoes tournament.

Additional on-campus activities are planned, with more to come, including:

• A presentation on the history of the game of Dominoes will be given at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9 in the Corey Union Voice Office. Sponsored by La Familia Latina and the Caribbean Student Association, the evening starting will continue with a tournament in this tiles-based game.
• A Celebration for Latiné Heritage Month will take place on Friday, Oct. 10. Hosted by La Familia Latina in collaboration with the Caribbean Student Association and Ritmo Latino, the event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge.
• A Chips and Salsa social will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Organized by Ritmo Latino in collaboration with the Spanish Club and Mu Sigma Upsilon Inc., the gathering will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Exhibition Lounge.

For more information, contact Ortiz or River Vooris, assistant director of multicultural life and diversity.