Dr. Contreras and Dr. Gina Garcia posing with Blue the Wolverine
Two students smiling and holding a Blue the Wolverine plushie
Student speaking with Dr. Gina Garcia
San Bernardino Valley College marked both Hispanic-Serving Institution Week September 8-14 and Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15 with celebratory events across campus.
 
More than 70 percent of SBVC students are Hispanic, and the college is "honored to champion and embrace our identity as a Hispanic-Serving Institution,” said President Gilbert J. Contreras. “Our student body reflects the demographic backgrounds of the communities served by San Bernardino Valley College.”
 
As part of Hispanic-Serving Institution Week festivities, aguas frescas were served at the Lois Carson Campus Center and students cheered on the Wolverines in a football game against Compton College. The game featured a halftime performance by Mariachi Juvenile Grullense and salute to those who served in the military and law enforcement. The Wolverines cruised to a 70-0 victory over Compton College.
 
On September 16, Dr. Gina Garcia spoke at the Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff in the auditorium with a presentation, “From Heritage to Impact: Servingness in Action.” She ate lunch with students and then signed books before a campus wide celebration including music and food was held in the gym breezeway.
 
Hispanic Heritage Month festivities will end on a high note October 12 with a free concert in the Greek Theater by Latin jazz great Poncho Sanchez. 
 
All of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations were part of SBVC's 100 Centennial Events.