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Marilyn Davies College of Business Celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month Group photo of Dean Gengler and special guests

 

University of Houston-Downtown's MDCOB celebrated the bicentennial independence of five Central American countries during Hispanic Heritage Month.

The event occurred from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm on Wednesday, September 29th, at the Shea Street Building, commemorating the bicentennial independence of Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. A small reception happened before the formal program in room 108, where faculty, staff, student leaders, and honored guests mingled and had lite bites. The Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs helped dress the College in a Central American theme by providing flags from Latin America. Flags lined on the first-floor foyer while students enjoyed Central American food with live music on the patio by Grammy Award singer Leslie Lugo. The College also sponsored an event-themed t-shirt to give away at the celebration.

The formal presentation occurred on the first-floor foyer of the College of Business, where Dean Charles Gengler, Ph D., announced a new partnership with the nonprofit organization, Central American Chamber of Commerce-Camara de Comercio Centroamericana. This partnership provides opportunities to students and establishes closer ties to the Central American Business Community of Houston.

Dignitaries from the consulates of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala attending included:

  • Percy Pelaez, CAMARA President
  • Maria Duran, CAMARA Vice President
  • Adrian Chicas, Consul General de El Salvador
  • Alejandra Guevara, Vice-Consul de El Salvador
  • Jose Barillas, Consul General de Guatemala

Also in attendance was Houston City Council member Karla Cisneros, who honored MDCOB with a certificate of recognition for our celebration of the bicentennial anniversary and partnership.

“Our students are growing their international exposure through working with consulates from other nations," Dr. Gengler said. “UHD is the premier Hispanic serving university in the Houston area. Sharing history and culture with the entire population builds a sense of understanding and inclusion."