“All In at Penn State” Multicultural Luncheon at New Kensington campus
Melba Amador of Puerto Rico, right, instructor in Spanish, and students Huating “Veronica” Lang, a Division of Undergraduate Studies student from China, center, and Aaron Holness, a communications major from Queens, New York, fill out a “Many Pieces of” form, which provided a glimpse of their personalities. They shared their insights with their table mates.
An animated Jay Wu, an administration of justice major from Pittsburgh, hopes to inspire action by community members to impact the world in positive and enduring ways through the creation of a welcoming and accepting environment. Abdou Karim Jallow, background, program coordinator for the Information Sciences and Technology program, is a native of Gambia.
Dominique Jones, left, a biomedical engineering technology student from Pittsburgh, and Art McGray, right, head men’s basketball coach and former campus student, are committed to respecting everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, abilities, background, veteran’s status, political beliefs, and all the ways we differ.
Chef Landis Crawford, new resident director of AVI Fresh, the campus’ food service provider, is a native of Honduras.
Pittsburgh residents Daruka Nyuon, left, a Division of Undergraduate Studies student, and Renesia Butler, a psychology major, are a part of a campus that seeks acknowledgement that diversity, inclusion and equity must continue to be among the core values that drive Penn State’s future.
As a student leader, Jon McCabe, a psychology major from Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, personifies the need to continue to build supportive, welcoming learning environments that make all New Kensington students, faculty and staff feel a part of Penn State.
Penn State New Kensington students, faculty and staff are ‘all in’ for Penn State’s new initiative that brings the campus community together to show their commitment to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment.
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. -- Penn State New Kensington’s Multicultural Luncheon, held on Sept. 29, is an annual event sponsored by the campus’ Office of Student Affairs. The office oversees the diversity budget and provides additional support services to students from underrepresented populations, as well as international students.
“It has been my privilege to sponsor this annual event that brings together students, faculty and staff from many different ethnicities and cultures to celebrate the diversity of Penn State New Kensington,” said Theresa Bonk, director of student affairs at the campus. “The event is an opportunity for students to network and find out more about campus resources.”
The New Kensington luncheon was a part of Penn State’s new initiative, "All In at Penn State: A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion," which will officially kick off at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, in front of Old Main on the University Park campus and available via livestream at allin.psu.edu/kickoffevent. Penn State campuses are fostering a community-wide commitment to an evolving University that values its diverse student body, faculty and staff.
The University is launching an All In microsite, which will also go live on Oct. 6. Along with a video highlighting the challenges students face, the microsite includes questions to foster discussions going forward and a list of facilitators who will be available to lead conversations among students, faculty and staff across the University.
“University campuses are models of how diversity creates incredibly rich learning and working environments,” said Kevin Snider, chancellor of the New Kensington campus. “The All in at Penn State effort is a commitment to providing a rich learning environment and ensuring that all of our students, faculty, and staff are included and welcomed as members of the Penn State family. But, it is also a commitment to extent our support and commitment to diversity and inclusion to the area. This event is a great way to show that we are ‘all in’ at Penn State New Kensington."
Bonk presented the "All In” initiative at the luncheon. Participants embraced the concept.
“After the presentation, I posed the question ‘who is all in with me,’ and there was a resounding ‘yes; I'm in’ from all the luncheon guests,” Bonk said.
The student affairs director will lead a contingent from the campus to the University Park event. Alumni and friends who want to participate in the kick-off event can get more information at “All In”
Diversity events at the New Kensington campus will continue throughout the year, including LGBTQ Awareness Week and Coming Out Celebration, Oct. 10-14. Each day during the week, a special event will be held at noon in Café 780, including National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), LGBT Resource Table (Oct. 12), LGBTQ Discussion Group (Oct. 13, 12:15 p.m., room 16B in Conference Center).
This year’s Country of Focus is Brazil and the celebration of international culture features food, discussion and entertainment throughout the year culminating with Dinner and Dialogue: Brazilian Round-Up on April 10.
Additional scheduled events are:
- Musician Kristen Merlin, Oct. 17
- United Nations Day, Oct. 24
- Lunch and Learn: Holidays Around the World, Dec. 1
- Musicians Shane and Emily, Dec. 7
- MLK Service Day, Jan. 16
- MLK Birthday Celebration, Jan. 17
- Unity Week, Jan. 23-27;
- Artist Tom Varano, Jan. 23
- Unity Dinner, Jan. 25
- Black History Month in February
- Soul Food Festival, Feb. 1
- Dinner and Dialogue: Black History, Feb. 8
- Soul Steps dance performance, Feb. 22
- Fat Tuesday celebration, Feb. 28
- Lady Cares, spoken word artist, March 22
- Lunch and Learn: Women’s History and Women Today, March 27
- World Health Day, April 7
- Musician Jared Mahone, April 1
Other events will be added to the Campus Activities Calendar
Bill Woodard
Alumni and Public Relations Specialist
