OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE COLUMBUS -- Health communications issues for Spanish-speaking people and other issues affecting Hispanic and Latin Americans will be examined as The Ohio State University celebrates Hispanic Awareness Week April 13-17. The celebration will kick off with a presentation by Daniel Reff, director of Latin American studies, and Riggey Lopez, doctoral candidate in English, on the "Sesquicentennial Remembrance of the U.S. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Mexico" Monday (4/13) from noon to 1:30 p.m. in room 09 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road. The formal opening of Hispanic Awareness Week will be held Monday at the Faculty Club Main Lounge, 181 S. Oval Mall, from 4 to 6 p.m. A performance by the Afro-Rican Ensemble will follow from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Frank Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 10th Ave. Tuesday (4/14), Part I of the health communications conference will begin with a panel discussion by Raquel Diaz-Sprague, lecturer in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, and Mary Ellen Echelbarger, assistant professor of adult health and illness, on "Enhancing Medical Communication and Cultural Competence in Caring for Spanish-speaking People" from noon to 1:30 p.m. in room S125 Doan Hall, 410 W. 10th Ave. A public meeting with the Ohio Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the Memorial Room in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St., with a discussion on issues affecting the Hispanic population in Ohio. Part II of the conference will continue Wednesday (4/15) with a presentation by Ohio State medical students on the "Unique Pre- clinical Experience for OSU Medical Students: A Journey to Peru," a look at the exchange program between Ohio State and the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo. The program is from noon to 1:30 p.m. in room S125 in Doan Hall. Thursday (4/16), the third and final part of the conference will be held with a panel discussion on "Mobilizing Health Community Resources for Spanish-speaking People" with Sandra Cornett, program manager for consumer health education, and presenters Noema Astaburruaga and Leticia Thompson in room S125 Doan Hall. Other activities include: -- "Artistic Imagery of El Dia de Los Muertos," a look at the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead, presented by Salvador Gonzalez, founder of the FolkArte Gallery, Monday (4/13) from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Memorial Room in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. -- Hispanic luncheons in the Ohio Union Terrace Dining Room, April 13-17. A variety of Latin cuisine will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost of the buffet-style lunch and drink is $6.50. -- "A Return of Sorts to the Latin Culture: The Reconquest of the Spanish Lands from the Arabs," a presentation by Vicente Cantarino, professor of Spanish, about the glory that was the Spanish return to the art of Europe and the retention of its past, Thursday (4/16) at 3:30 p.m. in room 300, Cunz Hall, 1841 Millikin Road. -- "Latin and Hispanic America in the 21st Century," a panel discussion on what the future holds for Hispanic and Latin Americans in terms of interaction and cultural ties, Friday (4/17) from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in room 262 Hopkins Hall, 128 N. Oval Mall. All activities are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For a complete calendar of events, call Hispanic Student Services, (614) 292-2917. # Contact: Carmen Alvarez-Breckenridge, Hispanic Student Services, (614) 292-2917.