Emelio Betances, a professor of sociology and Latin American studies at Gettysburg College, will lead a free lecture at Penn State Hazleton on Tuesday, Sept. 20, as part of the campus’ celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Editor's note: Due to an unforeseen conflict, Emelio Betances' lecture on Sept. 20 at Penn State Hazleton has been canceled.
HAZLETON, Pa. — Emelio Betances, a professor of sociology and Latin American studies at Gettysburg College, will lead a lecture at Penn State Hazleton at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Room 115 of the Evelyn Graham Academic Building as part of the campus’ celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The event is free and open to the public.
Betances will share his research into social movements and political change in the Dominican Republic in a lecture titled, “New Social Movements in the Dominican Republic?” The lecture will be presented in English and followed by a bilingual Q&A session.
Prior to the lecture, from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., Betances will hold a bilingual conversation with community members and students from the campus’ Latinx Culture Club in Pasco L. Schiavo Hall’s Harlam Lounge. The discussion will focus on Betances’ upbringing in the Dominican Republic and how it ties into his academic research. Light refreshments will be served.
“Penn State Hazleton is grateful for the opportunity to welcome Dr. Betances during our Hispanic Heritage Month activities,” Penn State Hazleton Chancellor Elizabeth J. Wright said. “We are confident that those from our campus and surrounding community will benefit from his perspective and expertise.”
Tracy Garnick, Penn State Hazleton director of Student Services and Engagement, said, “Hispanic Heritage Month is an important time to recognize and reflect on the many valuable contributions of the Hispanic community. We’re looking forward to celebrating the occasion and learning from Dr. Betances’ many years of experience.”
Betances has taught at Gettysburg since 1991. He served as coordinator of the Latin American Studies program from 1991 to 2001. Prior to Gettysburg, he held teaching positions in the Puerto Rican Studies Department of Lehman College at the City University of New York and at Universidad Autónoma de Puebla in Mexico, where he was a professor of Caribbean and Latin American history.
Betances holds a doctorate and master’s degree in sociology, both from Rutgers University. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Adelphi University in New York.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
