Una To Host Global Culture Night April 16

Apr. 08, 2011

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - University of North Alabama students from around the globe will come together for a night of culture, customs, international cuisine and entertainment during the ninth annual Global Culture Night April 16 at Norton Auditorium. Led for the first time by the Student Multicultural Advisory Committee with the assistance of the Office of Student Engagement, Global Culture Night will feature unique performances by the Chinese Student Organization, Japanese University Meal Project, African Student Organization, Arab students, Ascending Voices, UNA Chamber Choir and other groups. UNA junior Allison Ray, SMAC leader and organizer of the event, said this year's Global Culture Night will implement a shorter performance program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Directly after the celebration, SMAC will bring in free catered cuisine to the Guillot University Center Atrium and offer display tables from several student groups that represent numerous countries across the world. "Global Culture Night is a chance for students and the community to experience various cultures without having to travel abroad," Ray said. "It is critical for our generation to become more culturally sensitive because our world is shrinking and it is vital to learn about other cultures to gain skills and improve networking with students to help them in their future careers." Newly crowned Miss UNA Brandi Lewis and recently elected SGA President Ralph Akalonu will act as emcees for the evening. Lewis is UNA's first African American Miss UNA, while Akalonu is UNA's first international student to be elected as SGA president. "This is an opportunity for international students to share their culture with American students and the community and to stress to them the importance of understanding differences and developing an appreciation of other cultures," said Tammy Jacques, director of student engagement. For more information about the event, contact the Office of Student Engagement at 256-765-4248.

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: una.edu and una.edu/unaworks/.