By Emmy White/
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. During this time, Howard Payne University hosts events to celebrate culture and community.
“Every student is welcome at all events during this month,” said Dr. Danny Brunette-Lopez, professor of Spanish, and chair of the department of Spanish.“These events don’t alienate people, they bring people together.”
Dr. Brunette-Lopez said the university’s five-year strategic plan “puts a focus on celebrating multiculturalism across our campus.”
“Our main goal, along with working with student experience, is to disperse cultural awareness across campus about things Hispanic,” he said. “We try to highlight different traditions and celebrations.”
2025 marks Howard Payne’s fifth year celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Jordan Villianueva, Christian studies professor and president for Hispanic relations said, “HPU being a Hispanic-serving institution is a testament to our history…. It’s who we are, but it’s also who we want to be.”
“The way you read Revelation, that is what it’s going to look like: it’s going to be unity, not uniformity – all worshiping and fellowshipping in Heaven. We don’t have to wait for Heaven to live that out; we can live that out here,” he added.
The biggest event during the month is the Hispanic Heritage Luncheon on Monday, Sept. 29 at noon, followed by the Hispanic Heritage Festival, which will take place at 6:30 pm.
For more information, follow Amigos Unidos on Instagram at @hpuamigos and watch for fliers and announcements as Hispanic Heritage Month takes place.
Senior Staff Writer, Emmy White