University opens new center
By MAUREEN SMITHE
Friday marked the official opening of the new Intercultural Center on the second floor of LaFortune.
Due to the combined efforts of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and the Office of Intrnational Student Affairs, the Center will "provide a safe environment for all students from the time he or she arrives on campus till the time he or she leaves," OMSA director Iris Outlaw said. "This intercultural center is in the heart of the world. This center … knows no national borders," said Maureen Fitzgibbon, director of International Student Affairs.
The opening ceremony included a blessing and prayer service with Father Mark Poorman.
Among the many attendants at the ceremony were multicultural alumni who returned to campus for the weekend.
"Our minority alumni boards are here this weekend," said Mirella Riley, staff advisor to La Alianza.
Patricia Geiger and Stephen Tsuchiyama, both Asian alumni from the Class of 1983, returned to campus and said they surprised by the growth of minority populations and pleased about the new center.
Geiger recalled "seven or eight" Asians on campus when she was a student.
"The student population has changd quite a bit, but it is much more diversified," said Tsuchiyama.
"Isn't this [Intercultural Center] wonderful? It has really brought us up to a major university. I wish we had this," said Geiger.
The 24-hour space was made possible with funds from Student Affairs, contributions Geiger said "show that the Univerity is taking us seriously."
The center will host cultural awareness services, educational programs and lecture series.
All News Stories for Monday, September 27, 1999
