Galloway, N.J. – For seven years, Stockton University has launched a month-long celebration and acknowledgement
of the many accomplishments and contributions of Hispanic communities, both on campus
and around the world, through a flag-raising ceremony.
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month Flag Raising on Sept. 12 not only continued the tradition but also debuted a new
flag designed to be all-encompassing of every Latin American country by St. Louis
artist Jose Garza.
Prior to the new flag being raised, members of the Stockton community shared brief
remarks that reflected on their lived experiences, the sacrifices made by their families
looking for opportunity and the importance of celebrating the deep history, vibrant
traditions and enduring strength of Hispanic/Latino communities.
Patricia Sagasti Suppes, the director of Stockton’s Office of Global Engagement, told a story about three former students of hers, all representing different Latin
American countries, whose experiences of living in the United States were all varied.
To the crowd, she emphasized both the diversity of Latin America and the thread that
connects them all.
“We talk about Latinos as if we were one group, and we’re not. We’re from many nationalities
and from many different backgrounds,” Sagasti Suppes said. “We don’t really all vote
in one direction or another. We don’t all have the same religion. We don’t even all
speak the same languages. So, what unites us needs to be that we are willing to be
empathetic, supportive of each other and help each other.”
Christian Moreno Rodriguez, a 2017 alum of the Political Science program, said that it was “an honor” to be back on campus. Moreno Rodriguez, who
now serves as executive director of El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City, encouraged the audience to not only enjoy the surface-level celebrations
but to admire and honor the culture in all of its glory.
“It is not only salsa and cumbia. It is not only tamales and pupusas, although they
are my favorite,” Moreno Rodriguez said. “It is the poetry of resistance, the faith
of our ancestors, the joy we carry even through hardship. It is the way we say to
the world, we are here, we belong and we are not going anywhere.”
In his remarks, Stockton President Joe Bertolino reaffirmed Stockton’s commitment to honoring and acknowledging celebrations like
this on campus.
“At Stockton, we believe deeply in the importance of cultural heritage celebrations,
not as check-the-box months, but as vital opportunities to affirm identity, build
connection and foster understanding. Because when we create space for culture, we
create space for truth, for joy, for belonging.”
“That’s especially important on a college campus,” Bertolino continued. “Colleges
should be places where every student can see themselves reflected in the curriculum,
in leadership, in our values and in our celebrations. That’s how we build a community
of opportunity: a place where every student, from every background, has the support
to thrive.”
According to the director of Stockton’s Multicultural Center, Jovin Fernandez, who co-chairs the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, celebrations
like these are primarily student-led and driven.
“Dreams” by Jade Rojas-Munguia
Jade Rojas-Munguia, a Digital Studies major and member of the Hispanic Heritage Month
Committee shared an original poem she penned to conclude the flag raising.
“We wanted to empower the students to lead and use their platform to amplify their
voices and cultures during this cultural celebration,” Fernandez said.
Students Edwin Feria-Serna and Jade Rojas-Munguia served on the committee and opened
and closed the ceremony, respectively.
For Biology major Feria-Serna, this year’s celebration is a result of weeks of hard work and
planning, and he’s looking forward to seeing Hispanic Heritage Month being celebrated
on campus.
“I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have planned,” he said. “We had a great
opening, but the day isn’t over. There’s going to be a lot of community bonding, and
I’m just really excited and glad to be here.”
Digital Studies major Rojas-Munguia echoed his sentiments, adding that the opportunity to support
the planning and execution of the ceremony and the subsequent programming throughout
September was one that she feels will leave a lasting mark on Stockton.
“This is our footprint. This is our legacy. And, like I mentioned in my speech, Hispanic
Heritage Month isn’t just our past. It’s our present and our future,” Rojas-Munguia
said. “One day, we’re going to be the history that it tells, and it’s going to be
Stockton’s history, and we got to be a part of that.”
Following the ceremony, community members enjoyed food provided by La Cocina Latin
Cuisine, played lawn games in front of the Multicultural Center and explored the many
Hispanic/Latino student organizations, fraternities and sororities on campus.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationally beginning Sept. 15. Programming will
continue throughout the month of September and conclude on Oct. 15.
– Story by Loukaia Taylor
– Photos by Lizzie Nealis
Pan-American Flag Raised, Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month
September 13, 2024
Sept. 13.
Galloway, N.J. – “As a young Latina, I know firsthand the challenges that come with my role. There
are times when my intelligence or abilities are questioned or undermined, but you
know what drives me? My faith, my family, my colleagues, the role models at this institution
who paved the way… and most importantly, you, the students. You all give me purpose.”
Ana Edmondson’s message on the importance of finding support and motivation in your
community was emphasized throughout Sept. 13’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Flag
Raising in front of the Galloway campus’ Arts & Sciences Circle.
For six years, the Pan-American flag — which serves as the logo for the student organization Los Latinos Unidos — has been raised to honor and acknowledge the many accomplishments and contributions
of the Hispanic communities on Stockton’s multicultural campus.