The Hastings College Multicultural Student Union and the Hastings YWCA present the Hispanic Heritage Month speaker, historian Olga Olivares at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6 in French Memorial Chapel.  Olivares’ presentation will focus on the history of Mexican-Americans in Nebraska and their contributions to the state since the early 1900s.

Often called “a living treasury of traditional Mexican sayings, songs, stories, and crafts,” Olivares was born in Texas and raised in Nebraska in a bilingual family rich in the Mexican-American cultural tradition. She has served as a community outreach worker, as well as a consultant to both the Nebraska Historical Society and the Mexican-American Commission for the State of Nebraska.

“I love teaching Mexican culture. It’s a beautiful culture,” Olivares said. “Many of our young people haven’t acknowledged that we need to keep those traditions alive.”

Olivares has devoted her life to sharing the Mexican heritage and cultural traditions for the past 30 years. She lends her knowledge of the Mexican culture to government and community boards and committees nationwide. She was named Nebraska Hispanic Woman of the Year in 1985 and was presented the La Familia award by the Mexican-American Commission in 2007.

The Hastings College Multicultural Student Union works to promote, support and educate people of all cultures by inviting cultural speakers and planning activities that celebrate the diversity of the student body.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s.