On Thursday afternoon, April 5, 2012, Dr. Shelli Rottschafer and her Spanish 329 Chicano Literature class met with Aquinas President Dr. Juan Olivarez and associate Spanish professor Dr. Marcos Romero. Both President Olivarez and Dr. Romero have a Chicano heritage, and the purpose of the discussion was to relate previous class topics to the life experiences of the Aquinas community.

Students appreciated President Olivarez taking the time to share his insight on his Chicano heritage.

Spanish 329 is an upper-level course, and topics range from politics, issues of identity, social conflict, and women’s rights. The class explores these themes through literature such as the poetry of Jimmy Santiago Baca, Manifest Destinies by Laura E. Gómez, and Bendíceme, Última by Rudolfo Anaya. Most of the class periods consist of student led discussion of these literary works.

When asked about the class, Dr. Rottschafer stated, “SH329 is a rotating course. Even years it is offered at Chicano Literature. Odd years it is offered as Latino Literature. This course is for upper level Spanish majors and minors. The pre-rec is 301 Composition. Typically there is a travel component to the course. This year we will be going to New Mexico and observing the places we read about in class.”

The class is highly anticipating its trip to New Mexico from May 8 to 20, 2012. The trip includes destinations such as Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and the Rehoboth Indian School. Students will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the topics, cultures, and places discussed in class as well as the opportunity to volunteer both at the Rehoboth School and at a local animal shelter.

The group discussion took place in the meeting room attached to the President’s office and was conducted entirely in Spanish. President Olivarez shared his experiences growing up in Texas and Indiana, as well as his eventual move to Michigan to attend Aquinas. Students found the fact that President Olivarez attended the Aquinas to be of particular interest.

Although Spanish was his first language, he did not learn to read or write the language until he came to Aquinas. Students found this interesting because of its relevance to many of the social issues covered in class, such as the struggle to maintain a cultural identity as a minority in the United States. Dr. Rottschafer said, “His personal history perfectly aligns with the themes [covered] in this course.”

Additionally, Dr. Romero shared his history with the group and the history of New Mexico. He talked about New Mexico’s long struggle for statehood after its cession to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1850s.

This intimate conversation could not have been possible without the unique environment of Aquinas. Since the class is only composed of eight students and Dr. Rottschafer, it was possible to hold this class in an informal roundtable setting which facilitated questions. This intimate connection also demonstrates the unique bond between students, faculty and even the administration, something that is simply not possible at larger schools. Students felt privileged to have this opportunity to connect further and more personally with the College’s new president.

Having dialogue between students, faculty, and administration is one of the most important and defining characteristics of the Aquinas experience. Dr. Rottschafer was particularly thrilled with this chance to interview and discuss Chicano topics with the President. “I would love to have this round table discussion happen again, specifically for the Chicano Literature course as long as Dr. Olivarez is willing,” she said.