A color guard, flags, a Sonic Boom of the South percussion band, dancing, cheerleaders and throngs of students marched down JSU’s pedestrian mall Wednesday in International Week festivities culminating Friday.
Tables were set up along the walkway with information and cultural mementoes from such faraway places as Czechoslovakia, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, India, Tanzania, Kenya, Vietnam, Yemen and Turkey.
“We have 100 flags,” said Shirley Harrison interim director of the JSU International Programs Office, officially being renamed this week JSU Global. They made quite a display as the Parade of Flags marched from the the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center to the bandstand in front of the Jacob L. Reddix Building.
Dancing to the throbbing drum beats and broadcast music were about 100 students from Mother Goose Church School, New Jerusalm Church School and Piney Woods High School.
The annual parade is “very popular,” said Kathy Sims, international student advisor.
The whole idea is to showcase JSU’s international students, their languages and cultures, said Dr. Priscilla Slade, special assistant to the provost for International Programs and Community Colleges.
Jackson State currently has 315 international students enrolled with 60 different countries represented.
Events continue Thursday, leading up to Friday evening’s International Scholarship and Awards Banquet from 6-8 p.m. at the JSU Student Center Ballroom. Featured speaker is lawyer, businessman and philanthropist Wilbur Colom of Columbus, Miss.
Today’s festivities include:
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
For more information, see https://www.jsums.edu/global/2015-international-week-schedule/ or contact Harrison at 601-979-1611.