Reconnecting with his roots and finding community through LULA 

Growing into a leader 

For nursing major Gerardo Ramos Anduaga ’26, the Linfield University Latine Adelante (LULA) club was a way to get involved with other students who shared a similar culture. Through hangouts, events and leadership roles, Gerardo felt like he found his place on campus. 

During his first year at Linfield in the fall of 2022, he was looking for a place to find community. He remembered hearing about LULA while touring campus as a high school student from Silverton, Oregon. Gerardo started asking his tour guide questions and thought he could see himself in LULA, it was exactly what he needed to come to Linfield.

“When I first came here, I thought a small percentage of my community was here,” Gerardo said. “But when I went to LULA, I was like, ‘Oh, wow there’s like, a big population of my community.’ So, I feel kind of at home now.”

Being in LULA, Gerardo has grown into a leader by taking on different roles within the club. Gerardo is on the committee that puts on events, including Celebración. He never thought he would be in charge of something like this. For the 2024 event, he oversees decorations and works with other club members to make sure the event comes together cohesively. He assigns tasks to underclassmen regarding decoration, works to help find vendors and is there as a helping hand.

“We are all working on this together, and we're putting it all together,” Gerardo said.

His leadership role on the committee taking charge of decorations has helped him not only within the club but also as he pursues a career in nursing.

“I get to work with people,” Gerardo said. “I get to have that experience working with people, and experience communicating with people and I feel like that will benefit me in the future.”

Latine Heritage Month and Celebración 

For more than 10 years, LULA has hosted Celebración, the signature event at Linfield University during Latine Heritage Month. This year’s event, held Oct. 19, features food, a Mariachi band, dancing and live music. Gerardo said there will be more food vendors and a DJ this year too.

Although it takes place on Linfield’s campus, Gerardo emphasized that the event is open to everyone in the McMinnville community.

“You can invite your parents and friends, anyone’s welcome to it,” Gerardo said.

The origins of Latine Heritage Month started as a week-long observation in 1968 but evolved in 1988 to be recognized as a month-long celebration. Hispanic and Latine Americans celebrate from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 because these dates correspond to many of the Central American countries' independence days.

Latine Heritage Month celebrates the Latin American communities and their contributions to America, including influential leaders, culture and inventions.

At Linfield and through LULA, students and those supportive of the culture can come together to foster a sense of community and diversity on campus.

Reconnecting with his roots

In a moment of reflection, Gerardo thought back to his time in high school and how he felt a disconnection from his culture.

“I wasn't really connected to my own roots. I didn't even speak that much Spanish back then,” Gerardo said. “And then ever since I came here, I met all of these people who became my friends, and I feel like I got more connected to my roots.”

It’s safe to say that Gerardo is happy to boast about his Hispanic heritage.

“I feel like a lot of people, like mostly Hispanics and Latinos are slowly forgetting their roots,” Gerardo said. “And I feel like having LULA here reminds them, like this is who you are. Don't forget. I feel like it's a great thing that Linfield has to offer for us, and I'm glad to be a part of that community.”