Hope, Education, Culture , and Community

The CLS Logo represents hope, education, culture, and community. These ideals are represented by the different elements that make up the logo. The CLS logo was designed by MSU student, Matthew Martinez, in 1999. It is used on all publications by the Chicano/Latino Studies program at Michigan State University.

La Aguila is a symbol used in many countries to represent the ideals of courage, spirit, and loyalty. Beyond that, the eagle represents the foundation of our education. It ties our past and future together. The wings are spread to support all the other elements that define who we are. It represents strength, stability, love for our culture, and the desire to help our communities.

Los Libros - The books represent the desire to learn. It is important that we educate our community in order to empower them to make change. Furthermore, the books are in the shape of an Aztec temple. This is to remind us of our beautiful and rich indigenous cultures. Since traditional academia tends to ignore that part of our history, we need to make a concious effort to teach of the contributions that indigenous people made to society.

El Sol - The sun rising upon the community, books, and eagle represents hope and a new beginning. Just like the sun rising upon a new day, it symbolizes new opportunities. By educating our communities, we, too, shed light upon the many obstacles and barriers that often hold our communities down. The sun is LAS GANAS! The desire that burns hot within our people.

La Communidad - The Community plays an important role in the education of our youth. CLS engages students with community leaders and organizations in order to enhance their education. Without the support and mentoring of the Chicano/Latino faculty, staff, and graduate students, incoming freshmen and graduate students are sometimes lost in the often confusing labyrinth that is academia. El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido!