Author: Rocio Del Aguila Carreno

In this talk at noon Thursday, April 30 in 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room or via Microsoft Teams, the keynote speaker, Miguel Chavez, traces the history of the lucha libre mask and its evolving role in popular culture. He explores how masks draw on religious and cultural iconography to craft characters, tell stories and forge connections with audiences across both local and global contexts.

Lucha libre is often recognized for its high-flying acrobatics, elaborate costumes and colorful masks. But while masks are commonly understood as tools for concealing one’s identity, for many luchadores and luchadoras, the mask enables the performance of identities that cannot easily exist in everyday life.

Chavez is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology and a Mellon Cluster Fellow in Gender and Sexuality Studies at Northwestern University. He is currently conducting fieldwork in Mexico City, where he trains alongside professional wrestlers in the lucha libre scene.

Join for a brown bag lunch, and if you want to join virtually, contact Sara Mata at sara.mata@wichita.edu or Rocío Del Águila at rocio.delaguila@wichita.edu.

The lucha libre masks and photography exhibits will be at the Cadman Gallery until the end of April.

“Del Ring a la Historia” includes:

• “La Lucha es Libre,” a photography exhibit by Mexico-based artist Malena Diaz
• “Lucha Libre y Ya,” a mask and magazine display from the private collection of Daniel Moreno, based in Kansas City.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, Somos Shockers, Student Engagement and Belonging, and the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City invite you to visit the gallery and enjoy these joyful pieces.

If you speak Spanish, you could be a judge or volunteer in the Spanish Contest. The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures invites faculty and staff who are interested in volunteering from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 10 in the Spanish Contest, a day with different contests (spelling bee, skits, impromptu, poetry declamation, etc.) for USD 259 students.

Those interested can contact Dr. Rocío Del Águila at rocio.delaguila@wichita.edu or Julie Henderson at julie.henderson@wichita.edu.

Organizers need participants to join Españolandia by providing a Spanish speaking experience to the Spanish Competition school students. From 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 4, Wichita State and Wichita Public Schools will hold the competition for middle and high school students on campus.

Españolandia is a simulated travel experience to a Spanish speaking country that allows students to improve their language skills and learn about other cultures.

You can support the competition by participating with your organization in Españolandia. If you are interested, contact Rocío Del Águila, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, at rocio.delaguila@wichita.edu or Andrea Brant at abrant@usd259.net for questions.

Come to learn about the Literature Nobel Prize and Korean author, Han Kang during a Brown Bag Lunch with Dr. Seungjoo Lee, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, and Dr. T.J. Boynton, English, at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 in 203 Rhatigan Student Center, Lancelot Room.

For information, email Dr. Francis Connor, francis.connor@wichita.edu, or Dr. Rocío Del Águila, rocio.delaguila@wichita.edu.

The week of Oct. 28 is the last week to visit the Torito de Pucara Exhibit and the Mochica Sacred Universe Pop Art Exhibit in the Cadman Gallery at the Rhatigan Student Center.

These Peruvian art exhibits will be leaving the Cadman Gallery at the end of the week, so this is your last opportunity to see them. If you have questions about the exhibit, email rocio.delaguila@wichita.edu.

Kansas Hispanic & Latino American Affairs Commission (KHLAAC) announced its annual Latin@ Leadership Summit will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 29 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

This year’s theme is “Raising Our Voices Through Advocacy.” The leadership summit features a day of workshops and panels designed to give Latino leaders the information and support needed to effectively advocate for the community in the areas of education, healthcare, business and civic engagement. Sulma Arias, executive director of People’s Action and a Wichita native, is the keynote speaker.

A networking event for registered attendees will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28 at WSU. Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish will be offered. There is a $20 registration fee.

The Kansas Latina Summit  will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 25 at the Rhatigan Student Center. The theme is “Uplifting Latina Power Through Civic Engagement.” The day will include learning, networking and empowering activities by different organizations and leaders

The event is sponsored by the Kansas Office of the Governor, Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission (KHLAAC), United Healthcare, UFCW2, Reach Healthcare Foundation, and Wichita State University.

Tickets are $15 and attendants must register before June 17. For more information, contact rocio.delaguila@wichita.edu or arely.navarrete@wichita.edu.