Over the past two months, students in the History of Mexico summer course at Lamar Community College have dug into the rich history of Lamar’s la colonia neighborhood. They are excited to present their work to the public and host a celebration on Saturday, July 28, from 2:00-3:00pm in the Cultural Events Center at the Lamar Public Library.
The project, started last summer in the same course, has been a unique opportunity for LCC students to explore and preserve the rich history of Lamar through the stories of its citizens.
Community members are encouraged to come early to watch the oral histories recorded by last summer’s students, which will start at 1:30pm, then stay for the current students’ continuation of the project.
The presentation will include an introduction from course instructor Jennifer Trujillo, a screening of the students’ documentary that chronicles their work over the summer semester including a 3D virtual tour of what the area may have looked like, and a question and answer session.
In addition to the history of Lamar’s la colonia neighborhood, the event will include family-friendly activities including games of loteria (Mexican bingo) and a piñata at the conclusion of the presentation. Local food truck la lonchera will also be on-site selling tacos, elotes, and refrescos.
The research project on la colonia began as a collaboration between the Lamar Historic Preservation Advisory Board, the Lamar Public Library, and Lamar Community College.
Dr. Stagner, Dean of Academics at Lamar Community College and a driving force for the project, is proud of the work done in preserving a piece of Lamar’s history.
“This project is a wonderful way we can utilize the writing and research talents of LCC instructors and students to enrich our community and its history,” she said. “We hope that their work will benefit generations to come as we remember our past.”
This year, the project has been led by visiting faculty member Jennifer Trujillo, who was selected earlier this summer to LCC’s Excellence in Teaching Summer Fellowship Program.
“As the instructor of this course, Jennifer Trujillo has done an excellent job pushing this project forward,” Stagner said.
As a Texas native, Trujillo has a particular interest in Mexican American culture and the history of the Mexican experience on both sides of the border. Her goal is always to promote a learning environment that focuses on global perspectives and inclusiveness. She has a passion for learning about other cultures and strives to bring that into her classroom.
Trujillo came to Lamar from Dallas, Texas, where she earned her BA in English in 2011. She taught at an Early College High school in Dallas while completing a MA in Humanities and most recently completed a second BA in Spanish for Global Competency. She has taught at three Chinese Universities in a program conducted by The Ohio State University and has traveled extensively in both Asia and Latin America, including studying abroad in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Cuba
For any questions or for additional information, contact Dr. Annessa Stagner, Dean of Academic Services at LCC, by calling 719-336-1519.