February 13, 2003

LUIS RODRIGUEZ KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT MEXICAN AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Luis J. Rodriguez, one of the leading Chicano writers in the country, will be the keynote speaker for the fifth biennial Mexican American Studies Conference hosted by Boise State University Tuesday, Mar. 11, and Wednesday, Mar.12 in the Student Union. Titled "La Raza: Identity and Resistance Through the Arts," the free conference features several noted Hispanic scholars, including Constance Cortez, Roberto Dansie, Jorge Durand and Theresa Martinez.

The conference is one of the signature events of Boise State�s Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Board. In addition to the speakers, the two-day event features 14 panels and workshops on issues such as Idaho folk artists, the history of Mexican Americans in Idaho and multicultural literature; two performances of "Latins Anonymous," a play by Luisa Leschin, Armando Molina, Rick Najera and Diane Rodriguez; the OELA dancers (Organizaci�n de Estudiantes Latino Americanos); and a dance.

Rodriguez is the author of eight books ranging from nonfiction to poetry to children�s books. He is best known for his 1993 memoir of gang life titled "Always Running; La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A." An international best seller, the memoir garnered Rodriguez a Carl Sandburg Literary Award, a Chicago Sun-Times Book Award and was designated a New York Times Notable Book. He will deliver his keynote address, "Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Violent Times," at 6:30 p.m. March 11. He will speak again at 10 a.m. March 12.

Cortez teaches and publishes in two fields: colonial art of Mexico and contemporary Chicano/a art. Her most recent studies include a show she curated and an exhibition she edited titled "Im�genes e Historias/Images and Histories: Chicana Altar-Inspired Art."

Durand is a professor-investigator in the Department for the Study of Social Movements at the Universidad de Guadalajara. He is co-author of "Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: Mexican Immigration in an Era of Economic Integration," which looks at U.S. immigration policies between 1986 and 1996.

Dansie is a nationally acclaimed expert on issues of cultural diversity. An award winning speaker, trainer and clinical psychologist, he has won a number of awards including the National Award for Community Development, the prestigious Golden Medallion from the National Indian Health Board and the Cesar Chavez Award.

Martinez is a professor of sociology at the University of Utah, where she teaches courses on racial and ethnic relations, deviant behavior and juvenile delinquency. She currently serves as a board member for the Salt Lake Legal Defenders and the Utah Hispanic American Festival.

For a complete schedule of events, click here.

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Martin Orr

Conference co-chair

208 426-4056

Richard Baker

Conference co-chair

208 426-3207

Kathleen Craven

communications and marketing

208 426-3275

Mexican American Studies Conference � Boise State University

Theme: �La Raza: Identity and Resistance through the Arts�

Tuesday, March 11^th

12:15            Welcome: Lilianna Rodriguez, Organizaci�n de Estudiantes Latino-Americanos (OELA)
                 Dr. Michael Blankenship, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs (Jordan Ballroom D)

12:30              Featured Speaker: Jorge Durand: �The New Era of Mexican Migration to the United States� (Jordan Ballroom D)

1:45             Concurrent Sessions

            1. Bob McCarl: �Folk Artists of Idaho� (Jordan Ballroom A)

2. Norma Pintar and Gloria Mu�oz: �Traditional Mexican Folklore, Dance, and Custom: Maintenance and Renewal� (Jordan Ballroom B)

            3. Roberto Bahruth: �The Miseducation of Hispanic Youth� (Jordan Ballroom C)

4. Irene Chavolla: �Developing an Educational Plan to Serve LEP Students� (Hatch Ballroom A)

5. Ra�l S�nchez: �Latino Arts and Cultural Expression in Idaho: A Fundamental Human Right� (Hatch
Ballroom B)

3:15            Concurrent Sessions

            1. Maria Chavez: �Social Capital and Chicanos� (Jordan Ballroom A)

2. Kathy Hodges: �History of Mexican Americans in Idaho: A Progress Report� (Jordan Ballroom B)

3. Silvia Larios-Cowmey: �Building the Educational Community: A Guide for Idaho Secondary Teachers in Assisting Latino Students� (Jordan Ballroom C)

4. Chris Binion and Jeannette Ross: �Workshop:  Building Community Bridges Project� (Hatch Ballroom A)

5. Alicia Garza: �A Reassessment of Chicano/a Literature� (Hatch Ballroom B)

6:30            Keynote Presentations (Jordan Ballroom)
            Entertainment: The OELA Dancers
                                  Mariachi Juvenil Clasico

Presentation of Scholarships: Dr. Richard Baker, Conference Co-chair, Department of Sociology, Boise State University
Keynote: Luis Rodriguez: �Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Violent Times�
Reception and Book Signing to follow (Barnwell Room)

Wednesday, March 12^th

8:45             Welcome: Dr. Charles Ruch, President, Boise State University
Leo Morales, Organizaci�n de Estudiantes Latino-Americanos (OELA) (Jordan Ballroom) 

9:00            Featured Speaker: Roberto Dansie: �Corazon: The Magic Ingredient!� (Jordan Ballroom)

10:00             Featured Speaker: Luis Rodriguez: �Always Running: A visit with author, poet, and activist
Luis Rodriguez� (Jordan Ballroom)

11:15   �Latins Anonymous� � a play by Luisa Leschin, Armando Molina, Rick Najera and Diane Rodriguez. 
Performed by the OELA Players (Jordan Ballroom)

12:30   Lunch (Sack lunches will be provided for visiting students (Hatch Ballroom C & D)

1:15            Featured Speaker: Theresa Martinez: �Storytelling as Oppositional Culture:  Tales of Resistance in Anzald�a�s Borderlands� (Jordan Ballroom D)

2:45            Concurrent Sessions

            1. Alma Gomez: �The Artist and Her Work� (Jordan Ballroom A)

2. Stan Steiner: �Multicultural Literature in the Curriculum: Seeing is Believing� (Jordan Ballroom B)

3. Tammy Hart, RN, Jake Waddell, and Betsy Bowen, RN: �Recruitment of Latino Youth into Healthcare Professions: Barriers and Motivators� (Jordan Ballroom C)

4. Maria Gonzales-Mabbutt and Leo Morales: �Porque el futuro esta en nuestras manos� (Hatch Ballroom A)

6:30             Featured Speaker: Constance Cortez: �Identity, Resistance and Change in Contemporary Chicana/o Art�
(Jordan Ballroom D)

8:30     �Latins Anonymous� � a play by Luisa Leschin, Armando Molina, Rick Najera and Diane Rodriguez. 
Performed by the OELA Players (SPEC)

Exhibits and presentations:

�Miracles on the Border: Retablos of Mexican Migrants to the United States�

�Del Mundo al Cielo/ From the Earth to the Sky�: Information about Selected Readings in Chicano/a Literature.  English 497: Chicano/a Literature Service-Learning Group, Dr. Jacky O�Connor

�International Programs at Boise State: Exchange Program in Guadalajara, Mexico�

Sponsors:  Boise State University�s Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Board, the Colleges of Arts and Science, Business, Education, Engineering, and Social Sciences and Public Affairs, the Departments of Applied Technology, Health Sciences, History, Modern Languages, and Sociology, Boise State University Student Affairs, the Student Union, the Student Programs Board, Organizaci�n de Estudiantes Latino-Americanos (OELA), the Cultural Center, and the Women�s Center, the University of Idaho, Northwest Nazarene University, the Idaho Humanities Council, the Idaho Migrant Council, Image de Idaho, the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Idaho Department of Education � Migrant Education Program, and Dunkley Music.

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