Date:
3/12/2004
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Helen Rodriguez
PORTALES—"Sharing Cultural Diversities" is the theme for the Office of International Affairs' banquet at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.
The theme will be evident by the food, entertainment and speakers to be featured, which is slated for 6 p.m. on Monday, March 29, inside the Campus Union Building Ballroom. The menu will include stations of food from
the Mediterranean, China, Jamaica, Europe, Mexico and more. Students will also provide the desserts, which will represent an array of countries. In addition, international music and dance will be showcased, including African dances, Mexican ballet folklorico and Moroccan belly dances.
Dr. Mary Ayala and Dr. Nina Bjornsson will be the featured speakers. Dr. Ayala was born in the United States but educated in Mexico, where she continues to teach summer classes. She is the assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ENMU and is a professor of modern languages. Dr. Bjornsson is from Iceland and was educated in the United States. She is an assistant professor of English. Loveleen James, who is from the U.S. trust territory of Micronesia and is student director for the Office of International Affairs, said that the purpose of the office is to make sure international students have a support group on campus.
According to Diana Cordova, coordinator for Multicultural Affairs, there are 12 students active in the International Students Club. However, there are many more international students on campus. ENMU has students from India, the majority of who are graduate students, as well as students from Nigeria, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Belgium, France, Mexico, Micronesia and other countries.
The banquet is open to the public. Tickets are $15 and should be reserved by Friday, March 19, by contacting Ms. Cordova at 505.562.4914.