History of the Organization of Latinx American Students
In 1998, a very small group of Latino students united with a common vision: to establish and maintain a spirit of solidarity amongst Davidson College students of Latin American and Spanish descent. They wanted to form a group that would strive to create a sense of awareness of Latino and Iberian culture within the community of Davidson; thus the Organization of Latinx American Students came to be better known as OLAS.
After gaining the support of former faculty adviser Dr. Magdalena Maiz-Peña, Dean Earnest Jeffries, and the Spanish Department, the founding members of OLAS drafted a constitution and received a charter from the Student Government Association in April of 1998. The first event of the newly created organization was a Cinco de Mayo study break during exam week. Executive members also joined forces with the Admissions Office to help increase the recruitment of prospective Latino and Hispanic students to Davidson College.
The subsequent school year, OLAS sponsored a Hispanic History Month celebration aimed to increase awareness of Latino and Hispanic cultures through events such as Latin Dance workshops, poetry reading, and Día de Los Muertos. In 1999, OLAS brought Los Folkloristas, a Mexican dinner, a live Mariachi band, and another successful Cinco de Mayo event to campus with support from the Union Board, the Public Lectures Committee, and the Spanish Department.
The 2000-2001 academic year marked the 3rd anniversary of OLAS. The Organization made a huge impact on the Davidson College community by volunteering more than 250 hours of community service. For Hispanic Heritage Month, OLAS sponsored a Café Tango study break and then the following week participated in the Hunger and Poverty Awareness Fair. On Oct. 15th, we invited the campus to join us at a Mexican church service in Charlotte and later in the month took students to the Mint Museum to visit a pre-Columbian exhibit with former Professor Carlos Rivera. Additionally, OLAS organized a panel discussion on the Latino/Hispanic presence in the Charlotte area; held a dance workshop in preparation for La Fiesta Latina; and generated much support for Día de los Muertos on November 1st. OLAS was very fortunate to have writer Alicia Partnoy, a survivor of Argentine political persecution, as a speaker at the end of the semester.
OLAS is open to all students and has grown from a small group formed in 1998 with no funds to the 35-member chartered organization it is today. OLAS thanks the ambition of founding members José Ruíz ’98, Agatha Degasperi ‘99, Jenny Geada ‘99, Mauricio Sauma ‘00, Alex Obregón ‘00, Magdalena Barbosa ‘01, and Mónica Martínez ’01. OLAS is also thankful for Professors Maiz-Peña, Figueroa, and Rivera for their encouragement and guidance.
After gaining the support of former faculty adviser Dr. Magdalena Maiz-Peña, Dean Earnest Jeffries, and the Spanish Department, the founding members of OLAS drafted a constitution and received a charter from the Student Government Association in April of 1998. The first event of the newly created organization was a Cinco de Mayo study break during exam week. Executive members also joined forces with the Admissions Office to help increase the recruitment of prospective Latino and Hispanic students to Davidson College.
The subsequent school year, OLAS sponsored a Hispanic History Month celebration aimed to increase awareness of Latino and Hispanic cultures through events such as Latin Dance workshops, poetry reading, and Día de Los Muertos. In 1999, OLAS brought Los Folkloristas, a Mexican dinner, a live Mariachi band, and another successful Cinco de Mayo event to campus with support from the Union Board, the Public Lectures Committee, and the Spanish Department.
The 2000-2001 academic year marked the 3rd anniversary of OLAS. The Organization made a huge impact on the Davidson College community by volunteering more than 250 hours of community service. For Hispanic Heritage Month, OLAS sponsored a Café Tango study break and then the following week participated in the Hunger and Poverty Awareness Fair. On Oct. 15th, we invited the campus to join us at a Mexican church service in Charlotte and later in the month took students to the Mint Museum to visit a pre-Columbian exhibit with former Professor Carlos Rivera. Additionally, OLAS organized a panel discussion on the Latino/Hispanic presence in the Charlotte area; held a dance workshop in preparation for La Fiesta Latina; and generated much support for Día de los Muertos on November 1st. OLAS was very fortunate to have writer Alicia Partnoy, a survivor of Argentine political persecution, as a speaker at the end of the semester.
OLAS is open to all students and has grown from a small group formed in 1998 with no funds to the 35-member chartered organization it is today. OLAS thanks the ambition of founding members José Ruíz ’98, Agatha Degasperi ‘99, Jenny Geada ‘99, Mauricio Sauma ‘00, Alex Obregón ‘00, Magdalena Barbosa ‘01, and Mónica Martínez ’01. OLAS is also thankful for Professors Maiz-Peña, Figueroa, and Rivera for their encouragement and guidance.