August 16, 2008
Reception planned for Alina Fernandez
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Growing up as the daughter of Fidel Castro, Alina Fernandez’s experiences in Cuba during the 1960’s and 1970’s offered a unique perspective on the politics, privilege and deprivation that characterize the island nation. Eventually, she fled the country in disguise after joining the political dissident movement and now lives in Florida. Fernandez will tell her story to the general public at Southern Illinois University Carbondale at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 in Ballroom D at the SIUC Student Center.
But, the campus community will also have another chance to learn more about Fernandez and hear her insights about her birth country. An open session is set from 10:30 a.m. until about noon Sept. 30 in the Student Center’s Kaskaskia/Missouri Rooms. Students, faculty and staff can meet with Fernandez during the informal reception.
Hernandez’s visit is one of the many activities during the SIUC Latino Heritage Month. Student Development-Multicultural Programs and Services, the Hispanic Student Council, Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Delta Phi Mu Sorority, Delta Psi Alpha Fraternity, the Associate Chancellor for Diversity office, the Office of Diversity and Equity, the Student Center Craft Shop and Student Center-SPACE join to sponsor a wide variety of fun, informative, interesting happenings. For more information and schedule details, contact Student Development at 618-453-5714 or look online at www.stddev.siu.edu.