A century of excellence
The story of Latin American Studies at Tulane began in 1924 with a gift for the acquisition of William Edmund Gates’ library and the creation of the Department of Middle American Research. Over the next century, Tulane has evolved into a major academic powerhouse in Latin American Studies, marked by the approval of its first degree in 1947 and growing into a vibrant, interdisciplinary program.
In this centennial year, celebrants at the Roger Thayer Stone Center for Latin American Studies, the Latin American Library and the Middle American Research Institute are celebrating a century of academic excellence.
To commemorate this milestone, the Stone Center has launched The LAST100, a celebration of Latin American Studies at Tulane. This series of events will honor the faculty, students and staff who have shaped its rich legacy over the past 100 years. The online exhibit, based on a digital collection of resources from archives across campus, showcases the development of academic programs in Latin American studies up to the present day.
Executive Director of the Stone Center Thomas F. Reese says the exhibit’s “enduring legacy” will be the publication of digital historical resources that document the contributions of Tulane’s Latin Americanists to the world.
As part of the centennial celebration, the Stone Center is organizing a day and a half of panel discussions on September 19-20 to explore the history of Latin American Studies at Tulane. The panels will run for a full day on September 19 and a half day on September 20, concluding with the annual “Gran Fiesta,” the traditional start-of-the-year party for all Latin Americanist faculty and administrators at Tulane.
The acquisition of the William Edmund Gates library in 1924 laid the foundation for the Middle American Research Institute (MARI), which is thriving under the leadership of Director Marcello Canuto. MARI will celebrate its centennial with an exhibit.
Tulane’s renowned Latin American Library, led by Doris Stone Director Hortensia Calvo, is showcasing an exhibition titled “A Distinctive Trajectory: Reshaping Histories at the Latin American Library.” This exhibition will be on display through January 2025. And mark your calendars for September 27, when the library will host an open house, inviting both the Tulane and New Orleans communities to explore the exhibition.
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