Past Events

The Office of Multicultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Center for Gender Equity and the Pride Center, will be hosting our annual Welcome Back Carnival on Thursday, August 29th from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at Lamberton Hall, Great Room. There will be tons of games, free BBQ feast, music, and raffle prizes! This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and catch up with old ones. 5x10 approved!

This special celebration is a time in which students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds have their accomplishments recognized and their achievements applauded. Various key people from across the campus community take this opportunity to explain the tradition of the ceremony and its importance, as well as their pride in this year's graduating class. Students' friends and/or families have the opportunity to speak to and about the student, telling others of the student's accomplishments, how proud they are of them, and giving well wishes for the future. The speaker then drapes the stole over the student's shoulders, symbolizing an embracing past and a welcoming future.

Participants will discuss the opportunities available to first-generation students interested in STEM from their differentiating hometowns and the process in which to receive quality education revolving around STEM. What are some of the challenges first generations faced who are interested in STEM? What is holding the first gen back? What does it mean to be a minority at an elite school?

Participants will engage in a discussion about what diversity and inclusion mean by exploring the concept of whiteness.