International Festival 2014 Kicks Off on April 15

As part of International Festival 2014, Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College will celebrate global culture on campus.

Planned for Tuesday, April 15, through Thursday, April 17, the festival is organized by the Office of International Student Services with the active participation of the International Education Committee, International Student Organization and Study Abroad Program and sponsorship by the FSU Office of the President and Student Government.

“The purpose of the events is to appreciate the internationalization of our campus community and to celebrate the diversity as a collaborative effort between Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College,” said Dr. Tadashi Kato, International Programming Coordinator in the Office of International Student Services and the Chair of International Education Committee of the FSU Faculty Senate.

“Tastes of the World” is scheduled for 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, on the second floor Main Street area of the Falcon Center. International students will offer free samples of foods from their countries. The event is organized by the International Student Organization and sponsored by Student Government.

An International Flag Raising Ceremony is planned for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the flag poles at the Bryant Street entrance to campus. International flags will be raised to honor the countries represented with students attending FSU and Pierpont. The event is organized by the Office of International Student Services.

On Thursday, April 17, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Multi-media Room B of the Ruth Ann Musick Library, there will be Global Forum featuring presentations by students who studied in Paris. The program is organized by the Study Abroad Program.

On the same evening, “An International Night of Cultural Performances” will conclude the celebration. Planned for 8 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Colebank Hall Gym, the stage presentation will showcase Indian Bollywood and Kathak dance; African dance and music; Flamenco dance; Lebanese dance; an international fashion show; and more. An exhibition will feature international displays. Admission is free and open to the public. The event will be organized by the Office of International Student Services with the participation of International Student Organization.

For more information, call Dr. Tadashi Kato at (304) 367-4759 or e-mail him at Tadashi.Kato@fairmontstate.edu.

InternationalTad KatoOffice of International Student ServicesStudy Abroad ProgramStudent Government