Over 250 Latino students and leaders from all around the country came to Dartmouth over the weekend to attend the Latinos 2000 conference.
The conference centered on three themes -- Latinos and Learning, Latinos and Cultural Exchange and Latinos and Political Interventions. Participants attended panel discussions led by Latino professors and workshops which culminated in a final paper written on the themes.
The conference "provided an opportunity for Latino college students to network and exchange information," said Omar Rashid '00, president of La Alianza Latina.
Many of the speakers focused on real-world issues, so that students would understand that Latino issues were not merely a scholarly exercise but had actual consequences.
Some notable speeches were those given by author Gus Frias, who discussed Latino Leadership excellence on campus, and the closing remarks by College President James Wright. David Vera, the City of Phoenix Fire Chief, also spoke at the conference, discussing Latino issues in the workplace.
"Students walked out really excited about what went on," the conference's organizer Andrew Vera '01, David Vera's son, said.
Several informal gatherings were held throughout the weekend, including one at Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
Professors from universities around the country led many of the discussions. Edwin Lamboy of Montclair State University spoke on "English or Spanish: Making Linguistic Decisions in the United States."
Ellen Gomez of Ohio State University discussed "Darwinian Struggle: Latino Representation in the Sciences and Engineering."
"Everything we had was basically packed," Andrew Vera said.
Participants were also enthusiastic about the support the College gave to the event, including the speech by President Wright.
"Students were absolutely impressed with the support of the College," Andrew Vera said. "I think we gave Dartmouth a good name."
He said that he hopes this conference will help to raise awareness of Dartmouth in the Latino community and inspire more Latinos to come here.
Baker Library currently has an exhibit highlighting Latino issues.
The organizers hope to hold another conference in two years. Vera added, "It's going to be hard to improve," as this conference was so successful.
It took two years to plan and attract speakers for this conference.
The Latinos 2000 conference was sponsored by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, La Alianza Latina, Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean Studies, The Dickey Center, The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center, The Hewlett Venture Fund, The Dean Of Faculty and The Allen and Joan Bildner Endowment for Human and Intergroup Relations.
