News

SCC to host Fourth Annual International Festival Oct. 22 in Somerset

The Fourth Annual Somerset Community College International Festival is coming soon to a location near you! The SCC Somerset North and South Campuses will celebrate the International Festival on Thursday, October 22, 2009.

 

Other SCC campuses and centers will celebrate as follows:

• Laurel Campus, October 15;
• Casey Center, October 15 from 2p.m. to 6 p.m.;
• Clinton Center, October 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.,
• McCreary Center, October 20, and
• Russell Center, October 21.

On the SCC campuses in Somerset, the festivities will begin with the Parade of Nations led by Somerset native, Bart Davidson, and Jack Lewis, accomplished bagpipers. SCC students and area students will carry flags of various nations. Emcee Jon Burlew will give a brief word on the country represented by each flag. These flags will be borrowed from the Somerset First Baptist Church.

 

Many countries and different cultures will be celebrated throughout the day. This day’s events are a great partnership between the Somerset Community College and the surrounding local communities. People representing different cultures, who wish to participate in this year’s festival in the Somerset community are asked to contact the SCC Cultural Diversity Director, Elaine A. Wilson, by calling (606) 451-6915.

Exhibitors are expected to be as follows: the local Interfaith Alliance, the SCC Anime Club, and others. A huge hit in previous years was the Ten Thousand Villages Bazaar featuring products from all over the world for a true international display. These products will be available for purchasing. The hand-crafted products will be displayed and organized with the assistance of SCC’s Hybrid BA 283 class which teaches business management techniques, such as marketing and product management.

The day will start with breads baked and furnished by the Wayne County Homemakers, always a treat. Last year, coffee was donated by Baxter’s to give our day a great boost start.
Some of the activities included in this year’s festival will be

• Study Abroad program
• Interfaith Alliance presentation featuring Dr. Sonya Jones
• Opening Ceremony with a welcome by SCC President and CEO Dr. Jo Marshall
• The Sacred Drum Ensemble from Lexington, KY – highlighting Western African culture
• Health Care in Great Britain, featuring Dr. Keith Sinclair, Oakwood Medical Director
• Anime Screenings all day in the Strunk Library featuring a look at Japanese culture
• Don’t miss our Japanese Candy Booth, which will offer various Japanese hard candies
• Russell County Dance Team will perform a Hip-Hop and Jazz routine
• Panel Discussion on Health Care will give us a look at practices in China, the Philippines, Germany, and Venezuela.
• Modern Day Slavery - A Look Beneath the Surface, featuring Maja Cupac, an SCC graduate
• The Lost Cause of the War (Commentary on Croatia), also featuring Maja Cupac
• Interested in Tracing Your Heritage? Come hear Daniel Engle who will be sporting his Scottish kilt outfit!
• You won’t want to miss those “Suprahlicious Pinays Gurla” – dance group from Russell County
• The Pulaski County Homemakers (Susan Hansford and friends) will bring their international teas and mouth-watering, melt-in-your mouth, cookies that only they can prepare.
• The Wayne County Homemakers (Wanda Dodson and friends), last year, brought the best tasting breads, and they brought Dr. and Dr. Addo, who spoke of the Ghana Project associated with the University of Kentucky.
• SCC’s own, Dr. Saadi Hassan, will speak on Iraq, Muslims, and Sects in Iran – A Look At the Middle Eastern countries
• There will be a Drumming Works Workshop in the afternoon.
• Ever wanted to try Zumba? Local instructors will provide live demonstrations you won’t want to miss! Two such instructors are Veronica Rosignoll and SCC’s own, Loretta Johnson, one of the individuals recently recognized for advancements in Diversity.
• Jeff Turner will be featured with his Taekwondo Demonstration which will include the history of this sport.
• A Native American group called Anasazi’s Secret will provide drumming and dance workshops.
• The SCC Aviation Band will end the day with their special music. They are a newly discovered talent who will delight you immeasurably!
• SCC’s Student Ambassadors will wear international costumes that we hope to borrow from individuals and families in our community and at our College. Please call if you would like to offer a look at your country.
• Food is one of our most important features, and for the second year in a row, all the food preparation, demonstrations, and serving will be under the watchful eye of Meté Sergin, a local chef, who has been widely recognized for his gourmet preparations. Please don’t miss this chance to try international foods at their best. Local artist, John Polk, will serenade you during the lunch hour.
• Another partnership will with the Somerset High School Culture Club. We are looking forward to working with this new community partner.

 

SCC is committed to increasing Diversity on all its campuses in its seven locations. Diversity is not a limited concept, but seeks to increase access and equity for historically underrepresented groups, improving the campus climate where all individuals and cultures feel welcome.

 

We are seeking to infuse diversity into the curriculum and co-curriculum of every student in order to ensure that each experience the educational benefits of diversity. When there is a diverse population, whether with students, faculty, or staff, you have an environment that seeks to understand all cultures and this provides an atmosphere where different cultures understand one another and learn to live peaceably together. We call this “Global Awareness.”

There is a place for you! Call us! Join us! Help us make this day a huge success!

How you can help with this Festival:

• Lend your international costume for the day. Call Becky Blair at 451-6678.
• Set up an exhibit featuring your home country or culture.
• Offer to make a presentation on your culture. Share your culture with others.
• Bring your family to observe the various activities.
• Bring your friends and take advantage of new cultural opportunities.
• Come listen to featured musical groups.
• Come hear international discussions on health care.
• Help spread the word: The Festival is Coming on October 22nd at SCC!
• Announce the SCC International Festival on your Marquee to show us your support!
• Display an SCC International Festival Poster at your business or organization. Just tell us how many you need!
• And last, but not least, accept our sincerest appreciation for your support!

 

Make that call today to Elaine A. Wilson, (606) 451-6915. THANKS!!!!!

Shown above are participants in a previous Somerset Community College International Festival Celebration at the SCC Clinton Center. Included here from left to right are Jo Murley, SCC Clinton Center Library Specialist, Elaine A. Wilson, SCC Cultural Diversity Director; and Dorothy Phillips, SCC Clinton Center Director.

Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of high education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Casey, and Russell Counties. The website is www.somcc.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.

 

KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.

 

Every year the Kentucky Community and Technical College System provides real opportunity to real people – transforming the economy of the entire state by transforming the lives of the people who live in it. Help us continue transforming lives and our state’s economy by joining the Kentuckians for Community and Technical Colleges at kctcs.edu.