Heritage Month Mailings

As we enter May and mark the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we embrace this occasion to commemorate and honor the rich heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures. 

As we begin the month of March, we commemorate Women’s History Month, a time to honor the contributions and achievements of women throughout history and in the present day. 

As we begin Black History Month today, Seattle University celebrates and honors the achievements, resilience, and cultural richness of the Black community.

As we begin Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month, Seattle University celebrates and honors the rich tapestry of cultures and traditions that constitute Native American and Alaska Native heritage. This heritage month serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy and resilience of the First Nations, Inuit, and Native American tribes that have called this land home since time immemorial. 

September 15 – October 15 marks the observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Originally established in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week, this month offers the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the ways in which Hispanic and Latin American individuals and communities have shaped the course and culture of the United States.

As we mark the beginning of Pride Month, Seattle University celebrates and honors all individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We recognize the extraordinary strength and achievements of this community. To our students, faculty, staff, and administrators, we see you, and we appreciate all you bring to our university and the larger community.  

The month of May presents a welcome opportunity to honor and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage.

The month of March brings a celebration of Women’s History Month. This year’s theme, Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories, honors women who—through their storytelling—confront barriers and reveal critical truths. 

As we welcome the beginning of Black History Month, Seattle University affirms and celebrates the rich, vibrant, and diverse diaspora that is the Black community. Black History Month offers us an opportunity to not only reflect on the historical and continued injustice and inequity placed on the Black community, but also to celebrate and honor its excellence, beauty, joy, and ingenuity.

As we begin Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month today, Seattle University affirms and recognizes the deep ancestry, rich culture, and sacred traditions of Indigenous People. Year-round, and during this national observation during November, Seattle University celebrates the immense contributions of Native people and their origin story in the complex history of our region and country.

Dear Campus Community,

As we mark the beginning of Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, Seattle University affirms this diverse and vibrant community. Officially designated National Hispanic Heritage Month, this month celebrates the vast diaspora of cultures, identities, and experiences with ancestral connections to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America, and the many Indigenous Nations and people that preceded. Notwithstanding geography, we acknowledge that no one word, phrase, or month can encompass the people and experiences that make up this dimension of the American story. To our students, faculty, staff, and administrators, we appreciate all you bring to our university and the larger community. 

Dear Campus Community:

Creating an inclusive community means sharing our stories from a variety of perspectives. To mark the beginning of Pride Month, we have asked our 2021-23 Wismer Professor for Gender & Diversity Studies, Dean Spade, to offer his reflections on what this month means to him. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion invites our community to celebrate our differences along with all that brings us together. As always, we offer deep gratitude to Professor Spade for sharing his perspective and trust that you will receive his words with openness.

Dean Spade, 2021-23 Wismer Professor for Gender & Diversity Studies:

Annual Pride celebrations mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion: In June 1969, at a bar called the Stonewall Inn in New York City, queer and trans people fought back against the ongoing violence they faced at the hands of the police. Since that time, queer and trans people have gathered to commemorate that resistance and celebrate our vision for sexual and gender liberation. At Pride events, we rejoice in our survival, we combat stigma and isolation, we mourn our dead, and we foment ongoing resistance. Read more.

Dear Campus Community,

As we mark the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, designated in this year’s White House proclamation as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Seattle University affirms the rich tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, and experiences of this diverse and vibrant community – representing a broad diaspora of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans.

Greetings Campus Community,

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion wishes Seattle University a Happy New Year as we continue to usher in 2022 and the year of the Water Tiger, a sign of courage, strength, and generosity.

We begin November with an opportunity to pay tribute to the rich ancestry, diverse culture, and sacred traditions of Indigenous People during Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites your reflection on the vast contributions of Native people, as well as the numerous systemic challenges that continue to impede the vitality of Indigenous communities in our region and around the country. 

We begin this academic year during a historic week for the university as we celebrate the inauguration of our new President, Eduardo Peñalver, and more fully re-engage as a campus after a consequential 18 months. Read More

As Pride Month begins, the university celebrates and stands in solidarity with all LGBTQ+ people and especially those students, faculty, staff and alumni who are part of our Seattle U family. We would not be whole without you and are deeply grateful for your contributions to our campus community and educational mission.

As we mark Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Seattle University acknowledges with deep gratitude the AAPI community’s rich contributions to our nation and campus community. Seattle University is the institution it is today in large part because of the continuing commitment and dedication of so many in the AAPI community.

This week began with Women’s International History Day, which recognizes the contributions of women worldwide and raises awareness of the continued challenges to their full empowerment. We salute the women of our university community for their leadership, achievements, and unyielding commitment to our educational mission. We honor the uncommon impact of women at Seattle University, including our students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumnae. We are a stronger institution because of their leadership.

As we begin this month of February honoring Black history, we are mindful of the paradox of beginning this designated celebration amid the deep polarity and tumult of our times, and wounds that only time and intention can begin to heal. This is precisely why we must honor the vast contributions of Black people, as well as face our irreconciled past.