On Friday Oct. 17th, a myriad of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members joined together at Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room in celebration of the 32nd Annual Unity Dinner. This year’s theme was “Nuestra Esencia es Nuestra Presencia,” embodying the core principles of a Cornellian: community, inner strength, and honor.
Juan Jaimes Costilla, Director of Latinx Student Empowerment Office, delivered opening remarks before handing it over to Associate Professor Emerita, Vilma Santiago-Irizarry, who honored the lives of Professor Debra Ann Castillo and A&S freshman Joselyn Guadalupe Garcia.
Keynote speaker Kety Esquivel ‘98, President of the Cornell Latino Alumni Association (CLAA), also honored Prof. Castillo. “I had the unique privilege of meeting Professor Castillo when I was 18 years old, almost 32 years ago,” she said, “She was a very important part of my Cornell life. Our friendship started in the days that followed the Day Hall Takeover and continued up until my last day as the first Latina on Cornell University’s Board of Trustees. ”Esquivel also highlighted the need to “Speak truth to power. Academic freedom is imperative to the future of our nation and the world. Help bend the arch of the moral universe to justice.”
Following the speeches, a number of cultural organizations within and outside Cornell performed: Mariachi Regional en Cornell University, Salsa Pa’lante, and Sabor Latino Dance Ensemble. Additionally, Clara and Ashley from Guapea Dance School from the local community performed and lead an open dance floor until 9 PM.
We extend our gratitude to the Latinx Student Empowerment Office, La Asociacion Latina, Latino Living Center, Latina/o Studies Program, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program, the Student Assembly, and the Unity Dinner Committee: Angel Escamilla ‘27, Dani Rojas ‘25, Agustina Garcia ‘27, Gio Rodriguez ‘26, Sherla Zhagnay ‘26, Hannia Arevalo ‘27, Laura Maria Reilly ‘26, Christian Iciano ‘27, Jacqueline Rangel-Elizarraraz ‘26, Maria Lima Valdez ‘25, Shaunjae Suarez ‘26, Hayle, Marino ‘27, Migual Mathias ‘28, Ximena Toxqui ’25.
