Students and Administrators from the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and the Liberty Partnership Program (LPP) traveled to Albany, NY on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. On this day, thousands of New York State students met with their legislators to advocate for continued funding of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), HEOP, LPP, STEP, C-STEP and similar programs. According to the New York State Aid Alliance group, over 370,000 NYS residents count on TAP and these state aid programs to help with their college education. The group above was also joined by administrators from Student Financial Services in their meetings with State Senator Sue Serino and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett.

IN THIS ISSUE:

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ADVOCACY DAY

STAFF:Iris Ruiz-GrechDirector

Mary Canto RiceAssistant Director

Karen Tomkins-TinchCoordinator,International Student Programs

Angel L. ArriagaCounselor/TutorCoordinator

Siraj BahCounselor

TBAEducational Assistant

Cara SebestStudent Editor

Cailin ByrneStudent Media Assistant

CONTACT:Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA)Cannavino LibrarySuite 337845.575.3204multicultural@marist.edu

Visit us on Facebook at Marist Center for Multicultural Affairswww.facebook.com/maristcollegecma

ADVOCACY DAYCHINESE NEW YEAR

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTIMPORTANT WOMEN

INDIAN STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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MARISTFebruary 2016 -

March 2016ISSUE #12

CENTER FORMULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

February 8th marked the 2016 Chinese New Year. Of all of the traditional festivals in China, the Chinese New Year is the most significant. Also referred to as the Spring Festival, it is an important celebration to spend with family. The purpose of the holiday is to acknowledge a year of hard work, have a good rest, and to wish for a lucky and prosperous coming year. It is widely believed that starting the year positively will lead to good fortune and vocational success. The date of the Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar. This lunar calendar, in correlation with the Chinese 12-year animal zodiac, determined that 2016 is the year of the monkey. Though Monkey years are believed to be the unluckiest of the zodiac, they make up for it with their practicality, wittiness, and sense of adventure.

On February 5th the Marist Asian Alliance club in collaboration with the Center for Multicultural Affairs celebrated the 2016 Chinese New Year in the student center. It was a party rich with traditional cultural elements such as regional foods, a typical lion dance, and various short presentations discussing how the holiday is acknowledged

in different countries. The night began with a few words from Asian Alliance President, Matt Yuen. He welcomed guests and introduced each of the various speakers that night. Janpreet Singh, an international student recited a short, poem about the importance of cultural togetherness during this special holiday.

The highlight of the night was the traditional lion dance and the story it told. Each New Years Eve, a lion descends from the mountains into a village full of citizens represented by the audience. The audience, as the villagers, offers the lion symbolic gifts of luck such as oranges and lettuce, which the lion accepts. The lion messily devours the foods and finally returns to his hilltop home. Don’t worry if you got hit by the greens, it means good luck!

Wishing a happy, healthy, and lucky New Year from the CMA to you!

By Cara Sebest

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CHINESE NEW YEAR

EVENTS:

Look for our events on posters around campus, in your e-mail, in the Marist Portal, or by visiting our Facebook at:

facebook.com/maristcollegecma

COMMEMORATIVE DAYS:• February 2• February 8• February 9• February 10• February 14• February 15• February 29• March 8• March 13• March 17• March 20• March 27

• April 1• April 19• April 22• • April 22• April 30• May 1• May 1• May 4• • May 5• May 8• May 12• May 21• May 30

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

-Groundhog Day-Chinese New Year-Mardi Gras-Ash Wednesday-Valentine’s Day-Presidents’ Day-Leap Day-International Women’s Day-Daylight Saving Time Begins -St. Patrick’s Day-Spring Equinox-Easter Sunday

-April Fool’s Day-Mahavir Jayanti (Important Holiday for the Jains)-Passover Begins-Earth Day-Passover Ends-International Labor Day-Orthodox Easter-Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)-Cinco de Mayo-Mother’s Day-Independance Day (Israel)-Buddha Purnima (India)-Memorial Day

COMING UP NEXT:

Goodman Lepota is a sophomore and an international student from South Africa who had the opportunity to attend the African Leadership Academy Reception at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on January 7th. Lepota was invited to the event because he is a graduate of the African Leadership

Academy (ALA). The ALA is a high school located on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa and is dedicated to inspiring leadership potential and entrepreneurial spirit. At the event, Lepota moderated a panel discussion with a number of important political figures, including Madeleine Albright, the former U.S. Secretary of State, and Donald Gips, the former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa. The panel discussed the options for getting young people more involved in public service, politics, and voting. The panel felt that the Millennial generation is not as interested in politics as they could be and they have the power to make or break election.

As a business major with a minor in political science, Lepota feels blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with his passion for politics in conjunction with his home in South Africa.

By Cailin Byrne

IMPORTANT WOMEN IN HISTORYSYBIL LUDINGTON (1761-1839)

AMERICAN REVOLUTION HERO• Native of Dutchess County, NY, and eldest child of twelve. Born to Henry Ludington, a commander for the Dutchess County Militia during the American Revolution. • At the age of 16, Sybil rode for forty miles on her horse Star to warn her father’s militiamen about the British’s plan to invade Danbury, CT. • While her father prepared to battle, she went to the home of each of his men and informed them of the impending battle. • While not as famous as Paul Revere, she covered more distance than him and was never caught by the British

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KAMALA HARRIS (1964-)CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL• Born to a Jamaican Stanford professor and a Tamil Indian physician• Earned her undergraduate degree from Howard University and her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law• Became the first female, African American, and South Asian District Attorney for city of San Francisco and later Attorney General for California• As the District Attorney of San Francisco, the city’s felony conviction rate rose to 67%, the highest in a decade• Sometimes referred to as the “female Barack Obama”• She is currently running to become California’s next U.S. Senator

MARY ROBINSON (1944-)FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND• Started her career serving as a barrister, campaigner, and a member of the Irish Senate from 1969 to 1989• In 1990 she became the seventh overall, and first female, President of Ireland, the Irish Head of State• Transformed the Irish presidency, restoring relations between Britain and Ireland and was the first Irish President to meet Queen Elizabeth II• After leaving office in 1997, she became the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights until 2002

INDIAN STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

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Over 150 languages divide the 1.2 billion people of India, yet we stand united through love and tolerance towards religious diversity. A Sanskrit phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam defines the world as one big family. This phrase appears in the Maha Upanishad, one of the texts of Hinduism. The event was held for the Poughkeepsie Girl Scouts on Tuesday, February 16th to better acquaint the girls with the Indian culture. Corri Nicolleti, an education technology specialist, organized the event and was also responsible for bringing all food items, scheduling, and looking after the girls.

It was heartening to see the major turn out of girl scouts at the event. They were expressively curious about the food, clothes, and Indian lifestyle. We were a team of four Indian graduate students: Dixita Sharegar, Nikhil Hiremath, Sidharth Velluri, and myself. The event began with brief introductions. One of the most interesting facts about India is that every 12 kilometers you will hear a different language. India is a mixed bag of different cultures and languages. None of us four students belong to the same culture. Dixita is from Maharasthra, Nikhil is from Bangaluru, Sidharth is from Hyderabad and I am from New Delhi.

We talked about our differences and how we are connected with one common language, Hindi. The introduction was followed by the display of Indian clothes. Clothes in India are varied by the cultural traditions, region

and the climate. It was evident that the girls loved the style because they created beautiful colored patterns in the Rangoli session. Rangoli is an Indian art form in which patterns are created with colored sand for good luck. Corri Nicolleti was kind enough to make Mango Lassi for the girls. Lassi is a yogurt-based smoothie that originates from the Punjab region of India. We served spicy snacks with the Indian sweets made from cashew and milk.

It was a fun and informative event. We, as international students, enjoyed the session and loved introducing the girl scouts to our way of life. We hope to be a part of more diversity events in the future, because it is important to recognize and teach the importance of universal love and cultural appreciation.

By guest writer Janpreet Singh

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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In recognition of Black History Month, several Marist clubs and committees including the Black Student Union, Student Activities, Appreciating Races Creating Opportunities (ARCO), and the Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA) hosted an array of culturally enriching events to celebrate the influence of African American culture on the United States. The theme of this year’s festivities was unity. This was very clearly demonstrated through the audience participation encouraged at all events. Highlight events of the month included the moving vocal performances of African American History Month Celebration sponsored by the Marist Gospel Choir, the CMA, and the Student Activities as well as the vivacious percussion of the Kofi & Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble sponsored by the CMA. Other events included “Beyond Boundaries” film series, a lecture given by James Crone entitled “The Cross and the Lynching Tree,” and the “Who We Are Exhibit,” highlighting the achievements and people of the African diaspora.

On February 19th in the Cabaret, the Marist Gospel and Chamber choirs, the Solid Rock Church of God Praise Dance Team, and Marist’s new African Dance Team put together “Music at Marist: African American History Month Celebration”. It was an evening of song, dance, culture, and enthusiasm. CMA counselor Siraj Bah welcomed everyone to the concert and introduced the Marist Singers who opened with “We’re Marching onto Freedom Land,”

an inspiring piece about African American civil rights and unfaltering hope. Members of the choir gave a brief history of each song that touched the audience and complimented each song. The Marist Chamber Singers also performed a haunting traditional piece. The Marist African Dance Team and the Solid Rock Church of God Praise Dance Team performed a mix of traditional choreography and religious based performances to showcase the importance of culture and hope through faith. The night came to a close with emphasis on the theme of unity. Kyle Berkoski, a junior at Marist, stated “It was a really fun experience. Everyone was really into the music and it was amazing to see everyone come together and just have fun.” The entire room was instructed to stand up and join hands in song. As a community, Marist stood together in a circle and sang, “Lean on Me.” By the end of the song everyone was singing together and smiling. The Music at Marist celebration was incredibly enlightening and unifying for everyone involved.

On February 25th, the Kofi & Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble took place in the Student Center. The award-winning group consisted of several percussionists and a dancer experienced in African drumming and performance. The group is known for telling “stories of African American healing through music.” Kofi explained that “Sankofa” means “back to our roots,” and is a word dedicated to finding purpose and identifying the important relationships in one’s life. These concepts are incredibly important to recognize during the spirit of Black History Month especially with this year’s theme of unity. Marist sophomore, Jordan Gooding, explained that she felt “truly lucky to be able to experience such a different type of culture from my own.” The group sang traditional tunes including “Sogbadza” which is a call to ancestors and “Atia,” a victory song. Several members from the audience got up to participate in many of the dances including Marist Executive Vice President Geoffrey Brackett, CMA Director Iris Ruiz-Grech, CMA Counselor Siraj Bah, and several of our international students. Many members of the audience were familiar with the songs, and those that were not were excited to learn.

Though 2016’s Black History Month may have come to an official close, it is essential to consider the importance of unity every day of the year. The spiritually enlightening events of this month were truly powerful experiences that captured the essence of African American history and cultural significance. This year’s events were incredibly successful in the sense that everyone felt connected to one another within the Marist community. The active participation throughout was contagious and powerful. Let us now take this same enthusiasm into next February.

By Cara Sebest

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For further information:

Contact the Marist College Center for Multicultural Affairs

E-mail: multicultural@marist.eduFacebook: www.facebook.com/maristcollegecma

Instagram: @maristcma

Phone: (845) 575 3204Fax: (845) 575 3195

www.marist.edu/academics/multicultural

Marist CollegeCenter for Multicultural Affairs (CMA)A Division of Student Academic Affairs

Cannavino Library Suite 337Poughkeepsie, NY

12601-1387