History of the Center for Latin American Studies
1964 - 2024
“The real story of the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) is the day-to-day, year-to-year continual dedication to the highest quality scholarship and training. The real story in these pages is the way in which CLAS staff and faculty have taken each new phase in the development of the Center as a new opportunity and a new challenge—a challenge to not only maintain a position as a premier program, but to also develop the next set of new ideas.
It is, indeed, not the story of a mature program but a program that sees itself in its vigorous prime, with much more work and innovation to follow. There are plenty of laurels but no resting here. Sixty years after the founding of the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, we not only look back at our achievements but forward toward innovation and new challenges. The foundation has been well and strongly laid, and the building continues upwards”
Kathleen Musante, CLAS Director 2001-2013.
CLAS 60 Years of History
This is a compilation that recognizes CLAS staff and their accomplishments throughout the years—it would not be possible without Dr. John Frechione and Shirley Kregar and their unwavering dedication to the history of CLAS. The information in the document below was compiled by Luz Amanda Hank and edited by Kelsey Trimm in 2024 for CLAS 60 years celebration.
The CLAS Mission (English)
The mission of the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) is to promote global understanding by fostering teaching, learning, and research on Latin America, the Caribbean, and their diverse diasporic communities. CLAS provides faculty with resources and an intellectual environment to conduct cutting-edge research, and students with a high-quality educational experience and a solid foundation for professional success. Through its community engagement programs, the Center shares its resources regionally, nationally, and internationally.
La misión de CLAS (Español)
La misión del Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos (CLAS) es promover la comprensión global fomentando la enseñanza, el aprendizaje y la investigación sobre América Latina, el Caribe y sus diversas comunidades diaspóricas. CLAS ofrece a los profesores los recursos y el ambiente académico necesarios para el desarrollo de investigaciones innovadoras, y a los estudiantes, una formación de alta calidad y una base sólida para el éxito profesional. A través de sus programas de extensión y cooperación, el Centro comparte sus recursos a nivel regional, nacional e internacional.
A missão do CLAS (Português)
A missão do Centro de Estudos Latino-Americanos (CLAS) é promover a compreensão global, fomentando o ensino, a aprendizagem e a pesquisa sobre a América Latina, o Caribe e suas diversas comunidades diaspóricas. O CLAS oferece ao corpo docente os recursos e o ambiente intelectual necessários para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas inovadoras e, aos estudantes, uma formação acadêmica de qualidade e uma base sólida para o sucesso profissional. Por meio de seus programas de extensão e cooperação, o Centro compartilha seus recursos em âmbito regional, nacional e internacional.