Elaina Eakle
ehe001@marietta.edu
The Pioneer Activities Council will host Marietta College’s first Multicultural Day on Oct. 24 to celebrate the various cultures represented on campus.
“PAC considered the diverse make-up of the student body, and thought a Multicultural Day would be a fun way for students to share their varied backgrounds and life experiences with each other directly, in addition to the more formal classroom setting,” Ellen Wehrman, associate dean of students for campus involvement, said.
Senior Regina Collette, director of education, diversity and unity for PAC, and her assistant Emerald Demor, a sophomore, are organizing the event.
“I see it as just getting awareness to the student body about the cultures here on campus and the individuals that we have and how they see themselves,” Collette said.
Another goal of Multicultural Day will also be to encourage the Marietta College community to promote acceptance.
“I think it’s also about making people that have different cultures realize that the students here are interested in learning about the different cultures, and we are a very open community,” Demor said.
Wehrman hopes that Multicultural Day will be a learning experience as well as a celebration for students.
“We hope students will gain a greater understanding of at least one new culture or cultural experience by attending the event,” Wehrman said. “PAC and the Office of Campus Involvement are always aiming to contribute to Marietta’s core value of global perspectives and diversity, as it is important to the College and our students to live and grow together.”
Collette began the development of Multicultural Day at Marietta College after attending a similar celebration while studying abroad.
“I studied abroad in Western Australia at the University of Notre Dame Australia,” Collette said. “Being abroad changed my perspective on diversity by opening my eyes and mind to what great experiences we can have if we get to know one another. Everyone is different and we can all learn something from each and that can make a world of a difference.”
The events of the day will take place in Upper Gilman and the Andrews Hall Great Room.
From 1-3 p.m., students that have studied abroad will have tables set up to provide information about the country in which they lived, Collette said. All tables will have takeaway items for students that represent their culture. In addition, student organizations, including religious organizations, will participate.
At 5:30 p.m., there will be a “surprise” for students in Gilman Dining Hall. Later, Jabali Afrika, a dance and singing troop, will be in the Andrews Hall Great Room at 7 p.m., Demor said. Collette hinted that the surprise has to do with Jabali Afrika, and will be fun and interactive.
Collette believes Multicultural Day will be a fun and enlightening experience for students.
“I just think it will be a good day all together,” Collette said. “It will be really fun to get to know new people.”
