Signature Events
Paleta Social: LCC Open House & First Day of School Pictures
Kick off the school year with the Latino Cultural Center’s annual open house—Paleta Social! Held on the first day of classes, this signature event is a celebration of community, culture, and connection.
Stop by to take your annual first-day-of-school photo, meet new and returning students, and enjoy a delicious paleta (Mexican popsicle) as you explore the LCC. Whether you're looking to get involved, reconnect, or simply take a break between classes, Paleta Social is the perfect way to start the semester strong.
Conexiones Student Retreat
Conexiones is a retreat for all Purdue students. This retreat connects students to one another, to the Latino Cultural Center (LCC) and to resources at Purdue. Students kick off the day with a Latinx-based and multicultural resource fair. Purdue faculty and staff, along with guest speakers, facilitate workshops designed to prompt meaningful dialogue and learning opportunities that are unique to the Latinx student experience.
Community Connections Fair
Co-hosted by the LGBTQ Center and the Latino Cultural Center (LCC), the Community Connections Fair bridges Purdue students, faculty, and staff to a wide range of resources available both on campus and in the Greater Lafayette area.
This annual event is designed to foster meaningful connections by showcasing campus departments, student organizations, and community partners that support student success and well-being. Whether you're new to Purdue or looking to get more involved, the fair is a great opportunity to discover services, ask questions, and build your personal and professional network.
National Latinx Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage month is observed during September 15th-October 15th each year. September 15th is significant as it is the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson recognized Hispanic Heritage Week. Twenty years later, President Ronald Regan expanded the week into a 30-day period and it was enacted into law on August 17th 1988.
The Purdue University Latino Cultural Center celebrates the complex histories, identities and achievements of Latinx communities with a special topic each year.
Día de los muertos
Each November 2nd (or as close to the day as possible) the Purdue University Latino Cultural Center gathers to call upon our ancestors who have passed, and to celebrate their life and death. In 2008, UNESCO recognized the importance of Día de los muertos by adding the holiday to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Day of the Dead originated several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people. For these pre-Hispanic cultures, death was a natural phase in life’s long continuum. The dead were still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit—and during Día de los Muertos, they temporarily returned to Earth.
At Purdue, departments, academic units, student and community organizations create altars that honor the dead and also provide learning opportunities for the community. We give the community the opportunity to participate in rituals and traditions such as eating pan de muerto and decorating sugar skulls.
Día de la familia
On April 11th, 2003, the Latino Cultural Center opened its doors at Purdue University. Since then, every year, we recognize our history and communities with a celebration that occurs on the Saturday closest to April 11th. This is a time to gather our familias and reflect on our accomplishments, connect with alumni and look toward the future.
DDLF will take place every five years. The next celebration will take place in 2027.
Excelencia: LCC Graduation Ceremony
All graduating students are invited to participate in Excelencia, the LCC Graduation Ceremony which takes place on the Friday of graduation weekend. Students and their families and friends are invited to this ceremony, held in Spanish, Portuguese and English. The LCC celebrates the accomplishments of the graduating class and recognizes the efforts of their family and friends in the process.