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During October, the Department of Human Ecology celebrated Diversity month by focusing on an international theme. At the beginning of October, the showcase outside the Human Ecology Department featured international fabrics and garments. Virginia Draa, Coordinator of the Merchandising, Fashion, and Interiors program and the students in Fashion Merchandising designed and decorated the showcase to highlight a variety of fabrics available worldwide.
On the third Wednesday in October in the Cushwa Common Room students and faculty attended a lively panel discussion and sampled delicious international cuisine. From 9 to 10 AM, Dr. Janice Elias, Coordinator of the Family and Consumer Studies program moderated a panel discussion of international students. Past panel members included Molly Oder from Uganda, Abdulla Almutawa from Kuwait, Alberto Grassi from Italy, and Olga Tavgen from Belarus who discussed family life in their respective countries.
From 11 AM to 1 PM, Jeanine Mincher, Students in Dietetics Advisor, and Mark Zetts, Coordinator of Hospitality Management and the students in the Food Service and Management Lab prepared samples of foods representative of different cultures. Concurrently, with the food sampling, Dr. Zara Shah, Assistant professor in nutrition, prepared a power point presentation featuring “Where did that word come from?” “Food adventures around the world,” and “Avoiding bloopers-Global business etiquette.”
Dr. Carol Hawkins, Clinical Coordinator of the Prekindergarten program, designed displays of pictures and artifacts from Turkey, Sue Moore, instructor in the Fashion Merchandising program area, prepared an exhibit of items she brought back from her trip to Greece, and Darlene Litch displayed her artifacts from Japan. Dr. Pricilla Gitimu presented a power point discussion on child rearing in Kenya.
Rounding out the diversity activities were two poster presentations with an international focus. The research included: “Influences on self-care in Hispanic diabetic women” conducted by Dr. Zara Shah Rowlands, and “Comparative social welfare policy in the classroom: Canada and the U.S.” conducted by Dr. Thelma Silver, Assistant Professor in Social Work.
The Human Ecology Diversity Celebration Planning Committee, consisting of Dr. Carol Hawkins, Dr. Janice Elias, Dr. Zara Shah Rowlands, Mr. Mark Zetts, Dr. Pricilla Gitimu, and Mrs. Jeanine Mincher were pleased with the support and participation of those who attended the festivities. Plans for next year’s celebration are underway to include an even wider participation faculty from the College of Health and Human Services who have conducted international studies.
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