Tribute to Hispanic Heritage celebration will feature Sam's Club executive, Thursday, Oct. 4

JONESBORO -- The final event of Hispanic Heritage Month observance at Arkansas State University will be “Tribute to Hispanic Heritage” on Thursday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. in the Centennial Hall of the Carl R. Reng Student Union.

The keynote speaker will be Carmen Kingston, senior director of merchandise planning and integration at Sam’s Club.  Born in North Mexico, she moved to the United States at 18.  Kingston lives by the motto, “Family first, deliver more than expected, and integrity is the most critical aspect of leadership.”

Arkansas State’s Multicultural Center organized several events with campus departments, student organizations, and the Hispanic Community Center to tie in to the national annual celebration.

Continuing through Friday, Oct. 12, the Multicultural Center will display an art exhibit, “Stage Impromptus,” by Maria Villegas of El Dorado.  Villegas was born Argentina and moved to Arkansas more than 20 years ago. She is a teaching artist at The South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado.  The exhibit can be viewed in the Multicultural Center Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“During the month of activities, our staff and current Hispanic ASU students have reached out to others in the area who might be interested in pursuing higher education opportunities at A-State,” said Niya Blair, director of the Multicultural Center.

Interested individuals may visit http://www.astate.edu/multiculturalcenter/ to learn more.  All events are free and open to the ASU and Jonesboro community.  For more details on Hispanic Heritage Month activities, contact Niya Blair at (870) 680-4052 or nnblair@astate.edu.

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