Members of Harvard Bhangra brandish their swords in a lively folk dance native to the Indian state of Punjab.

The crowd in the Kirkland Junior Common Room was waiting patiently last Saturday afternoon when the band struck up “10,000 Men of Harvard” and George Lopez—comedian, humanitarian and this year’s Cultural Rhythms Artist of the Year—strolled through the doorway. Applause and cheer rang through the room for this year’s honoree as he smiled, then performed an impromptu dance to the delight of the audience.

Lopez and his wife were officially welcomed to Harvard by Dr. S. Allen Counter, the director of the Harvard Foundation—which puts on Cultural Rhythms every year—and Harvard students, who performed skits in honor of Lopez.

In addition to Lopez’s popularity for writing, producing and performing on his eponymous television sitcom on ABC, students in attendance pointed to Lopez’s role-model status for the Latino community at Harvard and beyond as reasons for their enthusiasm for his selection this year.

“It was great to see a Latino person who definitely grew up in a community that a lot of Harvard Latinos grew up in,” said Joseph Torres-Rangel, a performer in Ballet Folklorico de Aztlan and a student at the Graduate School of Education. “And it was nice to see someone in that background who has really become a leader in his field. He has really broke through.”

Lopez, who is from Los Angeles, serves as the spokesman for his hometown’s Stop the Violence program and has served as a longtime advocate against youth violence. He has also been recognized by his community for his work on behalf of earthquake victims in Latin America, and his charity, The George and Ann Lopez-Richie Alarcon Care Foundation.

In his introduction to Lopez, Counter emphasized the mission of Cultural Rhythms to celebrate culture and diversity at Harvard by recognizing the achievements of their guests. He pointed to the philanthropic works of previous winners Queen Latifah and Will Smith, who combined commitment to the community with their success in the entertainment world.

“Now in Mr. George Lopez we see a wonderful example of a humanitarian,” Counter said, “a very popular and talented performer and an artist.”

Ann Lopez, George’s wife, grew teary when talking about her husband’s award. “I am so unbelievably proud,” she said. “He has worked so hard for so many years and to be honored by such a school that’s so revered...It’s very sweet, it’s a very special achievement.”

George Lopez himself was, in his own words, “pretty blown away” by being chosen as Artist of the Year. He explained to the audience that after his Grammy loss earlier this year in the Comedy category, he felt he had lost a recognition that would last “through hard times and through everything.”

But he said of being named Artist of the Year, “this award surpasses the Grammy because it’s not only for what I’ve done for comedy but what I’ve done for humanity and that beats a Grammy as far as I’m concerned. It is definitely more special.

“It has been absolutely fantastic being here,” he added, “to only be here a day, and to do so much in a day. But the best part was that I got to spend some really nice time with the students and feel not only where they are but also where they’re going as educated people...It just changes the opinion I had of Harvard which was very Gilligan’s Island-like.”

THE TIMES A-CHANGIN’

This year, Cultural Rhythms was co-hosted by another special guest, Rosie Rios ’87. In 1983, Rios conceived of Cultural Rhythms with Dr. Counter and a few other students and helped to organize the first show two years later.

Rios was also pleased by the choice of Lopez and called him an inspiration to all. “He’s a star in his own right regardless of his race,” she said, “but obviously his advocacy efforts and his humanitarian efforts he’s pursued on behalf of all races is very admirable. He’s an entertainer who crosses all boundaries.”

Rios recalled the days of Cultural Rhythm’s inception and the long hours she, fellow students and Dr. Counter put in to organize the event and to get students and the community engaged.