The Department of Latin American and Latino Studies will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in Fall 2024. We are proud to commemorate this exciting milestone. Founded in 1974, the program has become a recognized center of research and learning that educates new generations of leaders in almost every professional area.

We are very excited to invite you to join us to commemorate the department’s anniversary. The celebration will begin with panels on September 5 that explore the department’s birth out of student and community activism, as well as its recent development and contributions. This initial panel will be followed by a series of events that highlight the vibrant intellectual culture of LALS. Events will include the art exhibit Bordando Esperanza/Embroidering Hope, which focuses on traditional embroidered cloths crafted by asylum-seekers stranded at the U.S.-Mexico border; a book launch of Prof. Barbara Sostaita’s Sanctuary Everywhere; a panel on undocumented activism at UIC; a panel on contemporary Black diasporas across the Americas; and a culminating joint symposium with Alianza Americas on the future of Latin America and US Latinos. Please see below for dates, times, and locations of our events.

We are very much looking forward to celebrating with you!

Nov 4 2024
50th

Contemporary Black Diasporas across the Americas

Monday, 3:00 pm–5:00 pm
Daley Library, Room 1-470
Nov 8 2024
50th

Latinx and Latin American Futures: Celebrating 50 Years of LALS and 20 Years of Alianza Americas

Friday, 8:00 am–12:30 pm
Illinois Rooms A & B, Student Center East

Calendar of Events Heading link

Event Calendar

Calendar of LALS’ 50th Anniversary events.