March 2017

Issue: 20

EXPRESSIONS
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with Ericka Huggins, Former Black Panther Leader  
 
Keynote - Ericka Huggins
On January 16, 2017, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr., Day the Center for Multicultural and International and Engagement (CMIE) with support of the MLK planning committee hosted a reception for the community. The keynote speaker, Ericka Huggins, gave a public lecture titled, "The Thread Running Through History". Over 150 attendees- including students, staff, faculty, and residents from Northfield and the Twin Cities- gathered to hear Huggins message on patience, love, and resilience. Ericka Huggins, a former Black Panther in Oakland California, narrated her own experience in the Civil Rights Movement and how having gone through the trials and tribulations of seeking social justice herself, has characterized her celebration of Dr. King's legacy commending his patience, resilience and love for people, regardless of race.

Huggins spoke about treating each other with love and kindness. Also, about resisting, showing resilience, and being patient while doing so. Huggins emphasized that patience is key as well as the need for understanding that great things do not come easy; equality for all will not come easy. She ended the lecture with the notion that patience and positivity are essential because just as there are oppressive powers and forces and people who create them, there are also people who have the ability to create forces and powers to dismantle oppression.
The lecture was streamed and archived online. 
View Chapel service by CUBE student members.
CMIE Spotlight: 2016 Election- What Happened and Where do we go From Here?

Christopher Chapp Associate Professor or Political Science
On January, the Center for Multicultural and International Engagement (CMIE) Program Assistants (PAs) hosted an event titled CMIE Spotlight: 2016 Election-what happened and where do we go from here? Over 50 people attended the event that was led led by Samantha Martorana with support of Sustained Dialogue moderators. The event was two hours long, and sectioned into two distinct parts: first part, Christopher Chapp, Associate Professor of Political Science,  analyzed the election, discussing the events and political climate leading up to Election Day that may have influenced the outcome of a Trump win. In the second part of the event, attendees were divided into groups, where Sustained Dialogue moderators led them through a short dialogue session

The event was held on Inauguration Day, which made it appealing to a larger audience as a result of its relevancy. Through the event, participants were able to express their thoughts, hopes, and concerns regarding Trump's inauguration, but more importantly, they were able to constructively dialogue about how to move forward.
A Collaborative Effort: Black History Month
and African and Caribbean Week 

CUBE's executive member curated an exhibition called Kink Connection
This year's Black History Month was a collaborative effort between CUBE (Cultural Union for Black Expression) and Karibu association . The main objective of the month was to highlight the many facets and intersections of Black identity. CUBE and Karibu came together and put on a total of eight events in February, including several panels, movies, dances and workshops.   
 
The Black Out Improv Troupe kicked off the month with a comedy focused commentary about the recent presidential election. T he month ended with the first ever Bad and Boujee Ball, which celebrated the success of the rap group Migos and appreciated the relevance of Black Culture.
 
CUBE executive member, Mercy Garriga curated a remarkable exhibition showcasing different types of Black Hair called Kink Connection. Interested readers please view CUBE's Facebook page for additional photos of the exhibit. All in all, CUBE and Karibu connected their members this month through music, conversation and reflection. Moving forward CUBE is set to release Parenthetical, a zine publication at the end of the year. It will be curated by sophomore executive member Lamar Gayles. The zine will highlight the history of CUBE while connecting the experiences of Black students and alumni.
New Cross-Cultural Discussion Program:     
CMIE Coffee Hour 
 
On Friday, March 3rd, CMIE launched its first "Coffee Hour". Run bi-weekly on Fridays from 3:30-4:30pm, the CMIE Coffee Hour invites students across campus to visit the CMIE lounge for an hour of rich coffee, refreshments, and cross-cultural conversation. 

The first week's topic for conversation was "What is Culture?". Students from a variety of backgrounds spent time sharing their thoughts on what culture means to them, contextualizing with examples of how experiences at home helped shape their views today. 

The next Coffee Hour will take place Friday, March 31st and will focus on cultural stereotypes.
Connections and Community: Alumni and Student of Color Event

Join us for the first Connections and Community: Alumni and Students of Color event on Friday, April 28 at Thrivent Financial in downtown Minneapolis.

In response to the requests of alumni and students of color, we are excited to host this event for Oles to come together. This is an amazing opportunity for alumni to meet, greet, and reconnect.  For students it is an opportunity to meet and greet alumni and learn about their experiences. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served.  Alumni and students please RSVP by April 18, 2017  

In This Issue
Martin Luther King Jr., Celebration
CMIE Spotlight: 2016 Election
Black History Month and African & Caribbean Week
CMIE Coffee Hour Cross-Cultural Discussion Program
Connections and Community: Alumni and Student of Color Event
Up-coming Events

Cultural Immersion Series: Henna Around the World.

Attended Nina Simone: Four Women play at Park Square Theater Sponsored by CMIE

Celebrating Lunar New Year 2017

International Friendship Program- Students and friends sledding  down the "Hill"

Celebrating 51st International Night Click on image to view streamed (archived)
CMIE Oles in the News
Finding a Perfect Fit
 
To contribute to the Fund click the button above and specify CMIE.
 
Awarded Scholarships

Ronald E. Hunter Endowed Scholarship

Martin Luther King Scholarship

Class of 1987 Scholarship

Class of 1990 Scholarship

Hartwig Scholarship

Hoeft Scholarship

Class of 1960 Scholarship

Patten Endowed Scholarship

Katherine Olson Schol



Up-com ing Events
  • Diversity in Dance - March 15, 4:00pm-5:30pm, Pause Main Stage
  • Cultural Immersion Series: Yunnori - March 28, 3:30pm-4:30pm, CMIE Lounge
  • Cultural Conversations Series: "Black Feminist Thought and Social Justice"- Facilitated by Dr. Lisa Moore. March 29, 4pm-5pm, TOH 210
  • CMIE Coffee Hour - March 31, 3:30pm-4:30pm, CMIE Lounge
  • International Student Bowling Tournament - March 31, 6:30pm-8:00pm, Jesse James Lanes 
  • Multicultural Organizations Spring Leadership Training - April 2, 8am-3pm, RNS 210 
  • Asia Week - April 2-8
  • CMIE Coffee Hour - April 14, 3:30pm-4:30pm, CMIE Lounge
  • Viva La Raza - April 23-29
  • Cultural Conversations Series: "Diversity on Campus: Cashing in Tokens or Celebrating Difference" - April 26, 4pm-5pm, TOH 210
  • Connections and Community: Alumni and Student of Color Event - April 28, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Thrivent Financial Minneapolis
  • CMIE Coffee Hour - April 28, 3:30pm-4:30pm, CMIE Lounge
  • Holi Celebration -  April 28-29
  • International Student Grad Party -  May 7, 1pm-3pm, CMIE Lounge 
  • Senior Celebration- May 12 at Dave & Busters
  • Senior Commencement Reception - May 28, 12:00pm-2:00pm, CMIE Lounge
St. Olaf College
Center for Multicultural and International Engagement~Visit our website!
 St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, Minnesota 55057
Contact us at multicultural@stolaf.edu or 507-786-3060