Archive for ‘Uncategorized’

Sundaes on Mondays

0 Commentsby   |  08.25.13  |  Uncategorized

Sundaes on Mondays is a signature event by the Office of Multicultural Enrichment that was created to provide a place for students to discuss controversial topics related to race and culture. Entering into college, students begin to meet peers from all over the world and these encounters provide exciting opportunities to learn of other places and backgrounds.

These new encounters often provoke questions about cultural experiences and groups that are different from one’s own. The Office of Multicultural Enrichment embraces these questions and differences by providing a place to gain understanding of various cultures. Topics have included discussing student’s cultural values as well as current events. The concept of Sundaes on Mondays comes from the idea that if the topic gets too hot, students can cool down with ice cream. Sundaes on Mondays is a great opportunity to meet peers from across the world and discuss culture. We have some exciting topics for Fall 2013, so be on the look out for our monthly Sundaes on Monday’s events!

Cinco de Mayo! Hosted by Hispanos Unidos.

0 Commentsby   |  08.16.13  |  Uncategorized

On Saturday, May 4th 2013, Hispanos Unidos (HU) celebrated Mexican heritage and culture with free food and dancing. Hispanos Unidos President, Ana Arango stated, “It’s important to have events such as this one to recognize cultures on the ACU campus”.  On the menu for the day were enchiladas, rice, beans, chips, salsa, and traditional Mexican beverages, including fruity Mexican drinks called Agua Frescas, and a cinnamon rice beverage called Horchata.

In order to provide an appropriate appreciation for the festivities, Dr. Ronald Morgan, a Latin American history professor at ACU, gave a presentation that explained what Cinco de Mayo is all about. In 1861, the French attempted an invasion on Mexico. It was in Puebla that the French encountered heavy resistance. Although small and poorly armed, Puebla defeated the French, an event which has come to symbolize Mexican independence, unity and pride.

According to Ana Arango, “Everyone had a blast and I basically had to kick everyone out because they were about to close the building!” The Office of Multicultural Enrichment would like to congratulate Hispanos Unidos on the success of this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration and looks forward to next year’s event. HU president, Ana Arango, would like to extend an invitation to all ACU students.  “A lot of people think that to be a part of HU, you have to be Hispanic, or speak Spanish but it’s open to everyone! All we want to do is celebrate and recognize Hispanic cultures, and make those that aren’t very familiar with them a part of them.”

Sanctify Hip-Hop Company 2013 Production

0 Commentsby   |  08.16.13  |  Uncategorized

On April 5th and 6th, Sanctify Hip-Hop Company performed their final show of the year in the Amphitheater, marking ACU’s first outside dance production. Sanctify wowed a crowd of more than 350 people with their 14 electrifying numbers. The event also featured performances by Omega Dance Company, Shades Step Squad, and Christian rap groups No Face and E5.

No Face’s Darren Hagood also gave a spoken word performance, which provided a message of empowerment and encouragement to the crowd. According to Sanctity’s Head Captain, Jacob Kilpatrick, the show was dedicated to two of its members, Rebekah Cherniss and Deanna Romero, who were involved in the tragic car accident this past January, which claimed the lives of two young people. Sanctify is excited for the new school year, and Jacob is quoted as saying that both Rebekah and Deanna “are excited to be a part of the next production in the fall”.

Sanctify Hip-Hop Company is a dance group committed to “redeeming the image of hip-hop by using our passion for dance to spread the love of our savior, who is Christ.” Sanctify in its short time on campus, has had a huge impact on the culture of ACU, having performed on several occasions in a long list of venues.

Multicultural Chapel

0 Commentsby   |  08.16.13  |  Uncategorized

Attending Abilene Christian University is a unique college experience. Everyday faculty and staff strive to connect their students to an enriching education and a community of people who push for their success. The community aspect of ACU is vibrantly seen during Chapel, conducted every weekday from 11:00am-11:30am. During Chapel, people from all over campus and Abilene are seen gathering together to worship God. The Office of Multicultural Enrichment also takes part in Chapel by hosting a Multicultural Chapel the first Thursday of every month. Here you will find students from all types of cultures and backgrounds building community while openly acknowledging their widespread differences. It is truly a taste of heaven! Be on the lookout for the location of OME upcoming Multicultural Chapel.

SHADES Spring 2013 Show “Reminiscing the ‘90s”

0 Commentsby   |  08.16.13  |  Uncategorized

On April 19-20, 2013 the sounds of clapping, stomping, music and familiar tunes could be heard in the Royce and Pam Money Recreational Center. Utilizing music from favorite television shows of the 1990’s was the inspiration for the SHADES production “Reminiscing the ‘90s.” The audience heard familiar tunes such as the theme song to television shows Friends, the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and the Magic School Bus.  Members of the step squad connected to the popular music from their youth, and also invited the audience to reminisce their childhood!

2012-2013 captain of the SHADES Step Squad, and now alumni of ACU, Victoria Jones stated, “having events like this not only displays the talent that is very prominent on ACUs campus but it allows everyone the opportunity to be part of what we do. By enjoying the entertainment and interacting with the members of the team, others get to experience what we do in a new way.”  Angie Nsumbu, Lieutenant Captain of the step squad stated, “SHADES loves to take diverse themes and make them something original and entertaining for the whole family . . . You better believe that the intermission is just as entertaining as the acts; you won’t want to leave your seat. The event builds and builds all year.”

SHADES Step Squad has been on ACU’s campus for over a decade, and their members bring a unique quality of diversity. This multicultural student organization brings diversity to campus by exhibiting a form of expression through stepping. Stepping involves rhythmic movement that uses both the hands and feet. The organization’s legacy includes winning step competition’s featuring prominent fraternities and sororities, hosting productions, and staying connected to the community by coordinating after school programs that embody stepping.

Spring 2013 Black History Production “Ruth” Tackled Topics of Life and Death.

0 Commentsby   |  08.14.13  |  Uncategorized

This past spring, ACU students put in long nights of rehearsal to

produce a play that highlighted black culture. The play was about a woman

named Ruth who took a stand against violence, which resulted in her losing

her life. The remainder of the play portrays other characters’ reactions to

Ruth’s death. The play offered a dramatic analysis of how death takes

people on a journey that alters their perspectives on relationships, life, death,

and God.

The writer and director of the Black History Production (BHP) was

ACU alumnus Vincson Green III. His inspiration for Ruth grew from his

interest in examining how God wants people to view death. Vincson

expressed, in an interview with KTAB, “When someone’s taken from us,

when we lose life… I feel like God is in operation of just giving new life. In

some way… in light of the loss of life we have, He is indeed giving life to

others.” From this statement it is apparent that Vincson not only intended to

pay homage to black culture, but also to offer students a powerful lesson

about life and death.

The director of the Office of Multicultural Enrichment, Byron Martin

commented on the importance of an annual BHP: “The significance of

having a black history production is to remember, celebrate, and in some

cases mourn history. We call it black history month but it’s everybody

history, and so having a black history production allows us to remember the

good and the bad. Which hopefully we will use to inform and direct our

future.” The black history production is an annual spring event offered by

the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and the Black Students’ Association.

Written by: Keri Gray

Diversity 101

5 Commentsby   |  10.21.10  |  Uncategorized

Today the OME had the opportunity to go to one of the Business Management classes to talk about diversity within business, most importantly diversity within life.

We mentioned that the ability to read other people’s emotions (emotional intelligence) is important to find diversity in a place, as well as appreciative inquiry (where you appreciate others opinions/values/etc).

We want to know what students think and want in order to do a better job at promoting diversity within the university, and not only diversity, but unity in that diversity. Like George Pendergrass mentioned today, once you see and learn from the differences of other people it will only give you limitless possibilities to the things you do in life.

Another idea to keep in mind: We are all made in the image of God, therefore God is in all of us. So why do we just stay in our natural comfort zones and “appreciate” those who are similar instead of embracing God’s creativity by learning from other people? I think if we truly did this we would grow so much and become better people and in turn it would affect our school, workplace, etc.

What are your thoughts?

Race – The Power of an Illusion

1 Commentby   |  04.10.10  |  Uncategorized

How valid are your beliefs about the human species?

Picture 4

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Higher Education

0 Commentsby   |  04.10.10  |  Uncategorized

In the unlikeliest of places—Ohio’s Amish country—a high school basketball coach changed a community’s ideas about race, and about life.

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From University Language Services

0 Commentsby   |  04.10.10  |  Uncategorized

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH, BUT SO ARE REWARDS
After studying in the US, students have a better appreciation of what they can achieve.

The expectations that international students bring to the United States are as varied as the countries they departed. But the students have one thing in common.

In the US they found a country and culture that offered them a new perspective on education and society, according to the winning entries in University Language Services’ second annual scholarship essay contest. These students often found that by integrating the new lessons they learned in the US with the lessons of their native country, they were afforded a perspective on education that neither country could have given them on its own.

Students who attended a school outside the US for at least two years were invited to share what they expected from their US schools and reflect on whether those expectations have been met.

  • Winner: Mingzhu Li, a student at Amherst College, expected to earn a zero on an in-class English essay assigned on her second day at her American high school. However, inspired by the Chinese poets she admired from her country, she finished the essay, regained faith in herself and realized she could succeed in her American school.
  • 1st Runner-Up: Ana Dal Molin is now earning her doctorate at Texas A&M University, but she wrote that students in Brazil at times may face limited access to academic resources, including books and articles. She appreciates the access to resources at her US school but remembers the benefits of camaraderie and intellectual discussions in Brazil.
  • 2nd Runner-Up: Elizabeth Syrkin, a student at the University of Virginia, adapted to “different school systems, different expectations, different cultures” throughout her childhood. Syrkin studied in France, Germany and Russia before enrolling in a Gaithersburg, Md., elementary school at age 12.
  • 3rd Runner-Up: Anastasiya Sidorova, now a University of Florida law student, said she “wasn’t taught to think critically” in the Ukraine. She has great respect for the US system of education, which she believes emphasizes critical thinking.  Now she hopes to one day use those skills at a job in the legal profession.

Honorable mentions were awarded to:

  • Erika Ito, Abilene Christian University, studied in Japan
  • Bianca Kemp, American University in Cairo, studied in Spain and Egypt
  • Romy Misra, Texas A&M University, studied in India
  • Anja Zgodic, Providence College, studied in Quebec, Canada

University Language awarded Li a $500 college scholarship, and the three runners-up received a $100 scholarship. Each of the eight essays are posted at http://www.universitylanguage.com/scholarships/2009-spring/ . Profiles of the winner and runners-up will be unveiled throughout April and May at the ULS blog for international students.

“We wish all of our winners good luck in their studies and hope their stories inspire other students,” said Jessica Hertz, chairwoman of the scholarship contest.

University Language will announce a new scholarship contest for international students in the coming weeks.