AMG Sponsors Ofrendas in Founders, Buehler Library

Alpha Mu Gamma (AMG), a collegiate Foreign Language Honor Society, set up its annual ofrendas across Elmhurst University campus to commemorate the Day of the Dead. The ofrendas were located in the Founders Lounge and the A.C. Buehler Library from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, a tradition AMG started 10 years ago.

The Day of the Dead is a tradition that blends elements of Meso-American spiritual beliefs with Catholic faith introduced by the Spanish conquerors. At its core, the celebration honors death as a natural and essential part of the human experience and the ongoing cycle of life.

Professor of Spanish and Latino studies and AMG Faculty Advisor Dr. Beatriz Gómez Acuña explained that as EU has become more diverse over the years, ofrendas no longer include as many educational flyers as in the past. The ofrendas still include a tri-fold sign explaining the main aspects of the ofrendas with terms in Spanish and English.

“Representation provides minoritized groups with cultural visibility, societal validations, and access to power,” said Gómez. “Representation leads to voices, interests, and perspectives of different groups being heard, considered, and actively championed.”

President of AMG Mateo Gomez Bedoya discussed how impactful events like these are to the Latino community.

“The ofrenda impacts the Latino community in a very meaningful way. A lot of Latinos from different countries do this to remember their loved ones, the people that are not with them anymore, and they do this to honor their lives,” said Bedoya.

For the ofrenda in the Library, AMG collaborated with Pre-Veterinary Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). PAWS President Yadira Cervantes contacted AMG to make the ofrenda together to remember the pets of people from the Elmhurst community.

AMG partners with various clubs on campus and hosts events for communities in need and that are minoritized.

“I personally would love to keep collaborating with different organizations and clubs, because that’s always very fruitful,” said Gómez. “That’s always where ideas collide, where projects evolve with people’s creativity, and I think that’s just beautiful.”

Gómez highlighted the importance of collaboration, also noting the opportunity to continue supporting the Latino community following President Troy VanAken’s announcement of the Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant funding loss.

“I hope that, as this year we teamed with PAWS, maybe next year with a couple of other places. We’re going to need to fill the space a little bit of El Centro also. So, you know, maybe before the staff members leave [we] talk to them and see what they did with their ofrenda, “ said Gómez. “What was the intention, their purpose, how they created that community, and maybe try to pass on the torch and continue carrying on whatever they have been doing these years.”