On December 12, 2023, PODER: Oregon’s Latino Leadership Network hosted an event to commemorate the official 50th Anniversary of the Colegio César Chávez. It was on this date in 1973 when Colegio community members decided on the name in honor of the activist. The event began with a presentation by Colegio co-founders Sonny Montes and José Romero followed by a community conversation, which was recorded and is available online. The evening continued with an introduction from PODER Board Chair Anthony Veliz; a welcome by Chemeketa Community College Woodburn campus Dean Elias Villegas; a reading of the Governor’s Colegio César Chávez Proclamation by Javier Cervantes, Office of the Governor – Racial Justice Advisor; and concluding remarks from Montes and Romero. And, the Colegio exhibit was featured as part of the event!
A presentation by Colegio co-founders Sonny Montes and José RomeroThe Governor’s Colegio César Chávez Proclamation presented to Anthony Veliz by Javier Cervantes Closing remarks by Colegio co-founders Sonny Montes and José RomeroColegio 50th Photo CollageColegio 50th Photo Collage
Jennifer Cox, Dean of Library and Learning Resources, Chemeketa Community College, cutting the ribbon at the November 20, 2023, Salem Campus exhibit opening
Colegio César Chávez Exhibit ~ Chemeketa Community College Tour Dates and Locations:
November 20th-December 28th ~ Salem Campus
January 3rd-February 9th ~ Woodburn Center
February 12th-March 22nd ~ Yamhill Valley Campus
March 22nd-April 1st ~ Salem Campus – César Chávez Day Celebration
April 2nd-May 17th ~ Polk Center
May 17th-June 30th ~ CCRLS (Chemeketa Community Regional Library Service) Partner Library-Newberg Public Library
Additionally, there has been interest from Blue Mountain Community College in displaying the exhibit in the summer or fall of next year.
On Monday, November 20th, the Salem Campus held an informal exhibit opening; about a dozen people attended and received a tour and Q&A of the exhibit. The exhibit begins in the library (building 9) of the Chemeketa Community College ~ Salem Campus with the history exhibit panels located throughout the second floor’s skybridge. The calendar and timeline panels are grouped on the main floor by the stairs leading up to the library.
Salem Campus Exhibit Photos
The calendar and timeline panels are grouped on the main floor by the stairs leading up to the library (building 9)
About a dozen people attended the opening and received a tour and Q&A of the exhibit
Colegio Exhibit: 50th-anniversary artwork, bookmarks, and pins
The SCARC 2023-2024 exhibit is Colegio César Chávez: The Legacy Lives On / El legado sigue vivo!
The OSU Special Collections and Archives Research Center’s Oregon Multicultural Archives (OMA) served as a project partner and event planning committee member for the Colegio César Chávez 50th Anniversary Celebration which took place on August 26, 2023.
The exhibition curated for the event is now available to the public!
When: The 2023-2024 academic year (September 2023 – summer 2024)
Where: The Valley Library 5th Floor SCARC Exhibit Cases (open during SCARC’s open hours: 10am-4pm M-F) and the SCARC 5th Floor Alcove Exhibit Space, across the hallway from the reading room (open whenever the library is open)
What: The exhibit in the cases showcases the Colegio’s history and the exhibit in the alcove showcases a Chicano history timeline and artwork from a 1979 Colegio calendar
Colegio History Exhibit, Part 1 in the 5th Floor Exhibit Cases Colegio History Exhibit, Part 2 in the 5th Floor Exhibit Cases Colegio Calendar Timeline Exhibit, in the 5th Floor Exhibit AlcoveColegio Calendar Timeline Exhibit, in the 5th Floor Exhibit AlcoveColegio Calendar Timeline Exhibit, in the 5th Floor Exhibit Alcove: Intro and Calendar Dates PanelsColegio Calendar Timeline Exhibit, in the 5th Floor Exhibit Alcove: January-June Artwork and January-March Timeline
On Friday, September 15, 2023, the Colegio exhibit was featured as part of the Latino Leadership Summit in Salem, OR. Members of the Colegio were recognized and honored as part of the morning program. Dozens of the attendees had the opportunity to view the exhibit and learn about this important part of Oregon’s history!
Program for PODER’s Hispanic Heritage Month Breakfast & Latino Leadership Summit
Members of the Colegio were recognized and honored as part of the morning program.
Colegio bookmarks and pins (all gone by the end of the event!)
The Colegio exhibit in the Salem Convention CenterThe Colegio exhibit in the Salem Convention CenterThe Colegio exhibit in the Salem Convention Center
COLEGIO CESAR CHAVEZ 50TH ANNIVERSARY: CELEBRATING A COLLEGE WITHOUT WALLS
On August 26, 2023, PODER: Oregon’s Latino Leadership Network, hosted an incredible commemorative and celebratory event to honor the history and legacy of the Colegio César Chávez at the Father Bernard Youth & Retreat Center in Mt. Angel, Oregon, the original site of the Colegio. Hundreds of community members, including many who were a part of Colegio’s history, participated in the event!
The OSU Special Collections and Archives Research Center’s Oregon Multicultural Archives (OMA) was honored to serve as a project partner and event planning committee member.
Below are photos of the exhibit and tabling activity!
The full day of activities was amazing!
Below are photos from the morning program:
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Gustavo BalderasCeledonio (Sonny) Montes Jr. reflecting on Colegio’s legacy
More about the event!
The day began with a morning program followed by an afternoon of family-friendly activities, viewing the exhibit, and workshops led by members of Colegio’s administration, staff, and students.
Below is information and photos shared by PODER via their newsletter:
