Festivities recognize ULV diversity
Campus Times
March 27, 1998
Junior Aung Wun, ISO (International Students Organization) adviser
Marcy Garcia, and senior Karsten Kaub share stories of their origins and
cultures at the Blackwatch Pub in Upland Wednesday night. The English Pub
excursion was a part of the "European Experience" during this
week's International Celebration.
Celebrating the diversity of the University of La Verne, the International
Student Organization (ISO), International Services and Associated Student
Federation (ASF) Forum held International Celebration Week throughout this
week.
Traditionally, the International Celebration is a one-day festivity.
According to Marcy Garcia, adviser of ISO, ASF suggested that this year's
celebration be a week-long event.
Therefore, festivities began with "Fiesta Latina" on Monday,
March 23. The event recognized Latino culture as traditions came to life
at the University Mall.
The "Tatalejos" were also featured at the event. With their
two-men, three-women dance group, "Tatalejos" twirled in colorful
costumes, creating a live collage as they tapped to the sound of Mexican
music.
In addition to music, some guests tasted the spice of the Latino culture,
as a salsa-tasting contest and salsa-making demonstration added to the aroma
of the celebration.
Later that evening, a Latino/Chicano art exhibit in the West Dining
Room displayed the works of several community artists.
Though the first day of International Celebration ended that evening,
festivities continued on Tuesday, recognizing ULV's European population.
"European Experience" was brought to the Quad via ULV's international
students.
Booths displayed paraphernalia and pictures of European countries, including
Germany, Spain, England, Switzerland, France and Holland.
In the center of the booths, a map of Europe was displayed, depicting
the native land of each European international student.
The Claremont Scottish Country Dancers presented several traditional
dances from Scotland to guests. At one point, four ULV students participated
in one of the dances.
Tuesday evening, Aramark catered guests with a French dinner.
"Davenport was a little different than usual, but the atmosphere
was very nice," said senior Elsa Michel, a French international student.
Dinner items included chicken breast, pork loins, sauteed rainbow trout
and French green beans. "Cerises jubile," a dessert of cherries
flambéed with kirschwasser and served over ice cream, was also featured.
Following the dinner, guests were invited for a Euro pub experience
at the Blackwatch Pub in Upland, where those 21 or older appreciated the
European tradition of alcohol.
On Wednesday, the traditions and lifestyle of the Middle Eastern people
were introduced through "Middle Eastern Adventures."
ULV students, faculty and staff were invited to lunch and a belly dancer
show at Burger Continental in Pasadena.
Wednesday afternoon, the annual Passover Seder meal was held in the
President's Dining Room. In this celebration, the ULV community took part
in the experience of a ritual meal, song and story of the Jewish people's
freedom from bondage.
The commemoration of the Middle Eastern Culture and the Peace Fair concluded
that night, as guests gathered in the Chapel Peace Loft to watch "Mississippi
Burning." The film chronicles the Federal Bureau of Investigation's
(FBI) inquiries of the murder of three civil rights members in Mississippi.
Yesterday, the Asian culture was brought forth to the University community.
On the same occasion, Campus Ministry took recognized peace through Peace
Fair.
"Pacific Rim Food Feast" in the Quad introduced an array of
foods from Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand and India.
Asian music entertained guests, and a Thai dancer featured some of the
traditional dances of some Asian people.
In commemoration of Peace Fair, Campus Ministry dedicated a peace pole
to the University. The peace pole was placed near the south end of the chapel,
where it expresses the statement for worldwide peace in eight different
languages.
Its message, "May peace prevail on earth," is a representation
of the Church of the Brethren's foundation.
Yesterday evening, the Peace Fair concluded with a presentation of the
January Interterm Vietnam trip.
University students and staff who attended the trip, as well as Ken
Brown, professor of religion and philosophy and director of the peace institute
at Manchester College, Ind., presented insight to the experience.
Personal testimonies, as well as Brown's discussion on peace and the
My Lai massacre, provided a backdrop to the slide show presentation.
Dr. George Keeler, professor of journalism, Randy Miller, public relations
adjunct professor, and senior Ryan Sones presented photographs from the
trip through a slide show.
As the concluding event of International Celebration Week, "African
Culture Celebration" will take place today in the University Mall.
Included features are music from West Afrikan Drumming, dancers, special
guest speaker Gloria Morrow and an African lunch spread provided by Aramark
Dining Services.
For the meal, commuter students are provided lunch free of charge, while
those who are included in the meal plan must use their meal card.
In addition to the food and presentations, jewelry, art and crafts and
a hair beading demonstration will be featured for guests of the celebration.
Regarding the change in length designated, Garcia admits that International
Celebration will return to a one-day event.
"When it is a five-day event, it runs into class times and midterms,
so not many people could make it," she said.
As a whole, however, International Celebration Week provided an understanding
of the diversity of ULV.
"It made the campus a lot more culturally aware," said Garcia.
"It's so exciting to learn things first-hand rather than in a book.
"Students are becoming more aware of the world around them."
