Our History

Built on a rich legacy of service to the Seton Hall Latino community, the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute had its genesis as the Puerto Rican Institute, founded in the early 1970's. The Puerto Rican Institute was founded at a time when the University demonstrated its commitment to the special needs of the Hispanic community because of a growing concern to provide opportunities for the full development of Hispanic students. To read more about the rich history of the Puerto Rican Institute, please click here.

This year marks the 72nd anniversary of a legislative mandate enacted by the United States Congress which had a significant impact on the governmental status of Puerto Rico that has impacted on its future development and domestic identity. University Archivist, Alan Delozier, presents a comprehensive history in commemoration of the Anniversary of Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950 & Setonia.

This year marks the 52nd anniversary of the landmark United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW) memorandum regarding equal rights in terms of learning-based opportunities. The issue of language and the need to educate all children on a nationwide scale regardless of English-language fluency became the major talking point for many viewing the overall theme and subtext of this pronouncement. On May 25th,1970 the DHEW issued a special directive from the pen of J. Stanley Pottinger, Director, Office of Civil Rights featuring the subject line: "Identification of Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of National Origin." University Archivist, Alan Delozier, presents a comprehensive history of Spanish Language Institute and Celebration of Bi-Lingualism at Setonia.