Community Engagement

Day of the Dead

¡Feliz día de los muertos!   

Dr. Dawn Slack was an invited guest lecturer to Dr. Kim Shively’s FYS class (Fall 2021: November 2, 2021) to discuss the Day of the Dead holiday. Dr. Slack shared information about the native origins of this unique cultural celebration, its modern-day global practices, and the various components of the “ofrenda” (altar) which honors the lives of those who have died or who are far away from loved ones.  Students were invited to taste some “mole” (a chocolate and chili sauce) that Dr. Slack prepared while they decorated candy skulls with ink, glitter, and feathers. 

Sample day of the dead altar decorated with sugar skulls, fake flowers and plastic fruit

Day of the Dead

A portable “ofrenda” (altar) for the Day of the Dead

Four pictures of students painting miniature sugar skulls

Day of the Dead

Various students with their “candy skulls”

Closeup shot of a skull with purple hair and painted features, with students seated at desks in the background

Day of the Dead

One of the “sugar skulls” that students created as part of the “Day of the Dead” activity

Sample day of the dead altar decorated with sugar skulls, fake flowers and plastic fruit
Four pictures of students painting miniature sugar skulls
Closeup shot of a skull with purple hair and painted features, with students seated at desks in the background