The Latin American and Iberian Institute hosts an exhibit opening for “Joaquín Ortega and the School for Inter-American Affairs, UNM,” on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m. at LAII, 801 Yale NE.
This exhibit is a tribute to Joaquín Ortega--scholar, publisher, teacher and builder of programs establishing bridges between his native Spain, Latin America and New Mexico. Ortega first came to UNM in 1940 at the invitation of President James F. Zimmerman. He joined the UNM Department of Spanish and Portuguese the following year. At the same time he became the first director of the School for Inter-American Affairs. Ortega Hall is named in his honor.
This exhibit opens the first chapter of the history of the Latin American and Iberian Institute and of Latin American and Iberian Studies at UNM.
The full history of the LAII academic, research and service programs – with strong connections to Latin America, Spain and Portugal – will be shared through a series of exhibits and publications, from collaboration with UNM University Libraries, the work of LAII staff and student assistants, the Amigos of LAII and UNM administration.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu