Tenth annual César Chávez Celebration Luncheon at Eastern Michigan University aims to enhance opportunities for Michigan Latinx students on March 28

Tenth annual César Chávez Celebration Luncheon at Eastern Michigan University aims to enhance opportunities for Michigan Latinx students on March 28
César Chávez Memorial Fountain

YPSILANTI – The Latino/a Faculty and Staff Association (LFSA) will host the 10th Annual César Chávez Celebration Luncheon on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center Ballroom from noon to 1:30 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.). César Chávez

Special guests of honor will include over 300 Latino/a juniors from six high schools in Michigan, representing areas such as Detroit, Lansing, and Pontiac.

These students will take part in a college readiness panel facilitated by EMU's Latinx Student Association (LSA). Students will also enjoy a campus tour with admissions.

The luncheon’s keynote speaker will be Felipe Lopez-Sustaita, Executive Director of the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan.

Lopez-Sustaita worked as a farm migrant worker across the United States with his family until he began college in 2001. He earned a bachelor’s of arts in criminal justice, a master’s of social work, and a doctorate in education with a specialization in community college leadership.

The annual César Chávez Celebration at EMU began in 2009 to celebrate Chávez’s activism and leadership among farm workers. He used nonviolent practices to fight for worker rights such as union recognition and contracts.

"The event has grown and evolved over the years,” said EMU professor Raul Leon, current president of LFSA. “But at the core, inviting Latino/a high schools’ students to EMU represents our commitment to expanding access and our desire to establish stronger relationships with the community." 

Ticket sales for the luncheon will go towards raising funds for student scholarships and the creation of an endowed fund. Also, it will continue to support the Latinx Student Association at EMU.

To purchase a ticket for the event and for more information, please visit the event website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

March 14, 2018

Written by:
Alyssa Schad

Media Contact:
Geoff Larcom
glarcom@emich.edu
734-487-4400