An array of food from around the world welcomed Jackson State University students and visitors to the 25th Annual International Week Monday, as festivities continue throughout the week.
A host of dignitaries were on hand for the JSU Global opening day ceremony, including Hinds County Chancery Clerk Eddie Jean Carr, a JSU alum, who spoke on behalf of the county. “I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful celebration!” she said.
State Sen. Hillman Frazier, also a JSU alum, carried welcoming messages from the governor, lieutenant governor, the Mississippi House and Senate, saying, “Thank you all for this week. Thank you all for celebrating diversity.”
Ward 6 City Councilman Tyrone Hendrix spoke on behalf of the city of Jackson, saying, “Diversity makes us a vibrant city!”
“Look at the diversity around you right now,” said Dr. Priscilla Slade, special assistant to the provost for International Programs and Community Colleges, pointing to throng of people in multi-colored clothing associated with their home countries.
This is a week of learning about and understanding one another, Slade said. “I invite each and every one of you to learn one additional fact about a country that is not your own.”
“International Week is not just for our international students,” said Shirley Harrison interim director of the JSU International Programs Office, officially being renamed this week JSU Global. “It’s for the entire university — students, faculty and staff.”
A JSU student, Kayla Wilson, a music education major, sang a benediction in Swahili before the food was served on the plaza in front of the Student Center. The offerings included fresh sushi made on the spot.
This year’s theme, “JSU Global — Leading, Building, Embracing,” captures the essence of how Jackson State is leading the charge of global inclusion, according to Harrison.
Events include a movie, The Good Lie, part of the International Film Festival sponsored by University Communications, shown Tuesday on the plaza, annual Bazaar on Wednesday to include displays from international students, a fashion show and a parade of flags. An International Night of Dance will highlight Thursday evening, and Friday night’s International Scholarship and Awards Banquet is the culminating event of International Week.
The guest speaker is Wilbur Colom. A lawyer, businessman and philanthropist, Colom has received awards and citations from the American Association for Justice, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Magnolia Bar Association, the Mississippi Black Legislative Caucus, Jackson State University and Oakwood College, among many others.
His Colom Foundation has been instrumental, through the Washington D.C. based FirstBook program, in giving more than 375,000 books to disadvantaged children throughout the southeastern United States. With author John Grisham, he provided the initial funding for the Mississippi Innocence Project, a firm that specializes in helping wrongfully convicted prison inmates.
In his political activities, Colom was a member of President Ronald Reagan’s Transition Team and served on the Judicial Selection Committee for former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.
At the annual banquet, attended by dignitaries, renowned scholars and global leaders, scholarships and awards are presented to students and those who have contributed to the internationalization of JSU and made significant contributions in international affairs.
Among the awards presented are the JSU Ralph Johnson Bunche Award, the Dag Hammarskjold Security and Peace Award, the International Pacesetter Awards, the Colin Powell Globalization Award, and the Chairman’s Service Award.
International Week is held annually to promote global awareness of the world’s many cultures through educational and entertaining activities.
JSU Global operates the only international visitor’s center in Mississippi with the International Visitor’s Center of Jackson, and offers English as a Second Language courses, translation services and study abroad opportunities for students.
JSU’s Passport to the World international study program for students was recently lauded by national, state and local leaders as a model not only for Mississippi but for the world.
Jackson State currently has 315 international students enrolled with 60 different countries represented.
For more information, see www.jsums.edu/international or contact Harrison at 601-979-1611.
The schedule includes:
TUESDAY, MARCH 24th
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
2 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Pedestrian Walkway
Contact Person: Shirley Harrison (601) 979-2043
INTERNATIONAL MOVIE NIGHT
The Good Lie — sponsored by University Communications
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Student Center Theater
Contact: Sunny Fridge (601) 979-3601
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25th
PARADE OF FLAGS
9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lee E. Williams Athletic & Assembly Center
Contact: Lorena Lopez (601) 979-0809
INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR
9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Pedestrian Walkway
Contact: Kathy Sims (601) 979-3794
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Intramural Track & Field
Contact: Umesh R. Remata (601) 979-7012
THURSDAY, MARCH 26th
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Jacob L. Reddix Hall – General Purpose Room
Contact: Farah Christmas (601) 979-2948
INTERNATIONAL NIGHT OF DANCE
7 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Jacob L. Reddix Building, General Purpose Room
Contact: Kimberly Ward (601) 979-1755
FRIDAY, MARCH 27th
INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP & AWARDS BANQUET
Guest Speaker: Attorney Wilbur Colom
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. JSU Student Center Ballroom
Contact Person: Shirley Harrison (601) 979- 1600