Joy, achievement and community: Special celebration honours Latin American/Latinx student success

Jorge Mallma Ccanto’s voice broke as he recounted the loneliness of coming to Canada from Lima, Peru to start his university degree. But his voice picked up strength as he recalled encountering the Latin American Network at McMaster University (LANMU).

“LANMU was somewhere my background was not something to be explained, but to be celebrated.”

The DeGroote School of Business graduand recounted his journey to a crowd of supporters and loved ones gathered for the Latin American/Latinx Student Graduate Celebration, held on campus this week.

The event, now in its third year, serves as an opportunity to celebrate graduating students, award winners, proud members of the Latin American/Latinx community at McMaster and those who have completed the Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies.

Here are some highlights from the event:

As part of a new addition to the celebration, faculty-based awards, an award sponsored by McMaster University Libraries and two Excellence in Latin American & Latinx Studies Graduating Student Awards were handed out.

McMaster President Susan Tighe, Provost Maureen MacDonald, deans and university leaders were on hand for the presentation of the awards.

“Graduates, we’re here to honour your successes,” said Tighe, who noted that LANMU, established in 2021, is the first and only network of its kind across Canadian universities.

“In just five years, LANMU has become a force for connection,” said MacDonald, noting the growth of LANMU’s mentorship program and the opportunities for learning it offers.

In another first, two non-Latinx students are graduating from the Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies.

Kaylinda Mupesse and Maya Mamdani spoke about their choice to pursue the minor and the opportunity it afforded them to gain a deeper understanding of Latin America and its peoples.

They also shared the deep introspection it prompted within them as they explored their own backgrounds and identities, and how the interdisciplinary nature of the program challenged them to think more deeply about the people around them.

Elena Verdú, a professor in the Department of Medicine, was surprised with the LANMU Faculty and Staff Advocacy and Mentorship Award in honour of her dedication to trainees, scholars and colleagues.

Verdú, who is also the director of the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, was visibly moved as postdoctoral fellow Gastón Rueda and undergraduate student Gonzalo Dejo Mau paid tribute to her passion, dedication and love for the LANMU community.

“She has profoundly shaped the lives of many students,” said Dejo Mau. “She has opened doors to me I never thought possible.”

Tributes to faculty did not end there.

LANMU co-founder and Faculty of Science assistant professor Rodrigo Narro Pérez was celebrated for his tireless advocacy for Latinx faculty, staff and students at McMaster.

“To be part of LANMU is to know Rodrigo,” said graduating student Gabriela Masri Ahmar. “He supports us in our academics, but also knows us as people.”

“Now we leave McMaster with not just degrees, but a community that reminds us of who we are and where we come from.”

The celebration, organized by LANMU, was made possible through a Strategic Alignment Fund (SAF) award from the Office of the Provost. The Office of Alumni Engagement also supported the event and contributed the stoles given to students.

Swipe through the gallery below for more images from the day.