MARIST
JANUARY-MARCH 2014
ISSUE #5
CENTER FOR
MULTICULTURAL
AFFAIRS
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE:
STAFF:
Iris Ruiz-Grech
Director
Mary Canto Rice
Assistant Director
Karen Tomkins-Tinch
Coordinator,
International Student Programs
Angel L. Arriaga
Counselor/Tutor
Coordinator
Terrance Harris
CMA/HEOP Counselor
Michael Strong
Office Assistant
Roza Makhmudova
Graduate Assistant
CONTACT:
Center for Multicultural Affairs
(CMA)
Cannavino Library
Suite 337
845.575.3204
multicultural@marist.edu
Visit us on Facebook at
Marist Center for Multicultural Affairs
www.facebook.com/maristcollegecma
LUNAR & CHINESE NEW YEAR
EVENT REVIEW
GREGORIAN NEW YEAR
FAMOUS AFRICAN AND IRISH
AMERICANS
IRISH-AMERICAN HISTORY
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY
MICHAEL KENNETH WILLIAMS
DEVIN TESON AND THE UN CLUB
MARDI GRAS / WELCOME ROZA
WELCOME MARY
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LUNAR & CHINESE
NEW YEAR
Do you know the differences
between Lunar New Year and Chinese
New Year? Lunar New Year is
determined by the cycles of the moon.
Instead of the traditional 365 days/12
months/30-31 days per month (also
known as the Gregorian system) we have
come to accept internationally, a lunar
year has 354.3 days/ 12 months/29.53
days – roughly eleven days less. As a
result, the date for the Lunar New Year
varies every year. Lunar New Year starts
between January 21 and February 20.
Like many of the Chinese, there are other cultures such as Vietnamese,
Mongolian, Korean, and Tibetan who also celebrate the date of the Lunar New
Year. It is independent of Chinese New Year, though most of the Chinese tend to
celebrate that date rather than the Chinese New Year Date.
Chinese New Year, however, is dependent on Lunar New Year. Even so, it
is based on both lunar and solar cycles. It is also often referred to as the “Spring
Festival.” Just like the Chinese, other cultures have their own New Year. This is
to be expected with various positions on the globe, thus different time zones and
views of the moon. Even so, some may celebrate their New Year’s based on a
completely different factor other than time and lunar/solar cycles.
Source: http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_003.htm , http://www.chcp.org/new year.html, valentinesdaywishescards.com
By Ariel Velasquez
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SPRING FESTIVAL/LUNAR NEW YEAR/
CHINESE NEW YEAR AT MARIST
On Friday, January 31st, The Center for Multicultural Affairs and the Asian Alliance Club partnered
to bring the Spring Festival to the Marist Campus. The event was intended to bring awareness of the
holiday to campus and bring a little piece of home to Poughkeepsie for those who celebrate this special
holiday but could not be home with their families. From pork dumplings to raffle prizes to origami to
Chinese poker, there was something for everyone and a sense of community for those looking to celebrate
the festival together.
When guests walked in the door, they were given a little red envelope with a chocolate coin and raffle
ticket inside. The Chinese usually give out red envelopes with money inside, especially to children, during
the festival. There was a basket of tangerines for people to take, and there were red decorations
everywhere. Spring Festival is heavily symbolic in the decorations and the food. The tangerines are for
luck, happiness, prosperity and wealth. Red is often used in decorations and clothing for good luck as
well, especially in China.
The overwhelming consensus was that the food was the best part of the evening. There were food
selections from many Asian countries including vegetable and pork dumplings, Algamja Jorim (braised
potatoes), sushi, spring rolls, Pa Jun (Korean crispy pancakes) and sauces from soy to peanut to Ponza
dipping sauce. There was Thai Tea to drink, which many people tried for the first time, and really enjoyed.
The international students appreciated the authenticity of the food for the Lunar New Year.
While there were no fireworks at Marist’s Spring Festival celebration, everyone was happy with how
the event turned out. Students were pleasantly surprised with how similar the event was to their own
traditional celebrations at home. Many remarked how nice it was to be celebrating with others, including
those who do not traditionally celebrate the holiday. Everyone who attended learned about the importance
of the holiday, the activities and food that are unique to the holiday, and most importantly, made those who
could not go home to celebrate feel at home. People left at the end of the night and were already talking
about next year’s celebration!
By Lizzie Grisafi
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EVENTS:
GREGORIAN NEW YEAR
Look for our events on posters around
campus, in your e-mail, in the Marist
Portal, or by visiting our Facebook at:
facebook.com/maristcollegecma
COMMEMORATIVE DAYS:
January 1st became the official New Year’s Day for Catholic
countries in Europe in 1582 when the Roman Catholic Church
adopted the Gregorian calendar. In time, Protestant and Eastern
Orthodox countries also adopted the Gregorian calendar to ease
communication and trade throughout Europe. This meant that almost
all of Europe celebrated the same New Year’s Day. Today, the
entirety of the Western Hemisphere celebrates the New Year as
starting on January 1st. Cultures and religions throughout the world
that follow other calendars based on lunar or solar patterns, or
religious holidays and festivals, celebrate the start of the new year on
different days and in different seasons from the Gregorian New Year.
The Romans named the first month of the year after the god
Janus because he was depicted with a forward and backwards looking
head, symbolizing the end of one year and the beginning of another.
This is the very early origins of the tradition of making New Year’s
Resolutions, to get rid of old habits and practices, and adopt better
ones in the coming year. The presence of family and friends around
the New Year has also become important, to be surrounded by love
and support and set the tone for the remainder of the New Year.
The majority of the New Year celebration in the Western
Hemisphere takes place on New Year’s Eve, December 31st, with
celebrations, parties, food and drink, and counting down to the start
of the New Year. Times Square in New York City has become an
iconic place to ring in the New Year, with a giant crystal ball
dropping to countdown the exact changing from one year to another.
Millions of visitors go to Times Square each New Year’s Eve, and
millions more watch the celebration on television from other places
around the country and around the world.
•
•
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January 1
January 31
January 31
February 1
February 2
February 14
February 17
March 4
March 9
March 17
March 20
- Gregorian New Year
- Lunar New Year
- Chinese New Year
- National Freedom Day
- Groundhog Day
- Valentine’s Day
- President’s Day
- Mardi Gras
- Daylight Savings
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Spring Equinox
Source: http://www.britannica.com.online.library.marist.edu/EBchecked/topic/412273/New-Year-festival
By Lizzie Grisafi
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FAMOUS AFRICAN & IRISH AMERICANS
ZORA NEALE HURSTON
(1891-1960) AFRICAN AMERICAN
WRITER, FOLKLORIST
• Grew up in rural Florida and moved to New York City during the
Harlem Renaissance
• Obtained degrees from Howard University, Barnard College and
Columbia University for anthropology
• Known for portraying African Americans contrary to the stereotypes of
the times, as well as exploring foreign topics such as voodoo
• Popular novels include Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), Tell My
Horse (1938) and her autobiography, Dust Tracks on a Road (1942)
BILL COSBY
(1937-) AFRICAN AMERICAN
COMEDIAN, ACTOR, PRODUCER
• Grew up in Philadelphia, joined the Navy and then became a
standup comedian in New York City
• First TV appearance as a secret agent catalyzed the presence of black
actors in television roles
• The comedy series The Cosby Show, made great strides in the
portrayal of black families in mainstream media
• Started the Hello Friend Foundation to help teachers of students with
learning disabilities
• Advocate for African American presence in higher education and
family support
DANICA PATRICK
(1982-) IRISH AMERICAN
RACE CAR DRIVER
•Grew up in Wisconsin, racing go-karts
•National go-kart success led her to drop out of high school to race in the United Kingdom
•First American to finish second in the Formula Ford Festival in 2000
•Returned to the United States in 2002 as an Indy-car racer
• Fourth woman in history to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 2004
•Won the Firestone IndyCar 300 race in Japan, becoming the first woman
to win an IndyCar event
•In 2012, she moved to racing for NASCAR, and finished 8th in the
Daytona 500
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IRISH-AMERICAN HISTORY
In 2012, President Barack Obama proclaimed, “For centuries,
America and Ireland have built a proud and enduring partnership
cemented by mutual values and a common history. Generations of Irish
have crossed the Atlantic in pursuit of prosperity, and today nearly 40
million of their proud descendants continue to make their indelible mark
on the United States of America. Their stories, as varied as our Nation’s
people, humble us and inspire our children to reach for the opportunities
dreamed about by our forebears.”
As President Obama stated above, there are almost 40 million residents in the United States who are of Irish
descent. In the 1840s, the Irish were suffering because of the potato famine, causing over a million people to die
from either disease or starvation. The few who struggled to survive sought out a way to escape by immigrating to
America, only to be welcomed by discrimination and poverty. Additionally, the Irish immigrants had very few
possessions of their own, including education. This proved to cause problems for when they made an attempt to
move on with their lives in America. Even so, they thrived and prospered, rising strongly above all the negative
factors they were forced to face. Many later contributed greatly to the United States we now live in today. Our
former president, John F. Kennedy, was also of Irish descent—just one of the many examples of how the Irish have
contributed to our land.
Now, many, non-Irish and Irish, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to commemorate the struggles and rise of the
Irish/Irish-American and the death of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/01/presidential-proclamation-irish-american-heritage-month-2012, http://blog.usa.gov/post/3922676161/celebrate-irish-american-heritage-month-this-st, http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/28/presidential-proclamation-irish-american-heritage-month-2013, http://
www.meetup.com/Secular-Bible-Study/events/169124682/, http://bunow.com/48877-why-do-we-celebrate-st-paddys-day/irish-flag
By Ariel Velasquez
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY
In 2013, President Barack Obama proclaimed, “In America, we share a dream
that lies at the heart of our founding: that no matter who you are, no matter what
you look like, no matter how modest your beginnings or the circumstances of
your birth, you can make it if you try. Yet, for many and for much of our Nation’s
history, that dream has gone unfulfilled. For African Americans, it was a dream denied until 150 years ago, when
a great emancipator called for the end of slavery. It was a dream deferred less than 50 years ago, when a preacher
spoke of justice and brotherhood from Lincoln’s memorial. This dream of equality and fairness has never come
easily—but it has always been sustained by the belief that in America, change is possible.”
African Americans are recognized throughout the month of February; their struggles, hard work, and
dedication to become full and equal citizens of the United States of America are brought to the public’s attention.
Carter G. Woodson, the son of African slaves, went to Harvard and became a historian. He had hoped to raise
awareness of the contributions of African Americans to our citizens. He achieved this through an organization,
which he personally founded, called the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). He and the
ASNLH announced “Negro History Week” in 1925. From this, teachers began to educate their students more on
African history, black history clubs prospered, and even other ethnic groups began to participate in order to endorse
the effort to make African history known. Negro History Week was stretched out to cover the entire month of
February, in 1976.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/31/national-african-american-history-month-2013, http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about.html,
http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/woodson.html, repairlabs.org
By Ariel Velasquez
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MICHAEL KENNETH WILLIAMS
From former First Year Seminar students to avid fans of
The Wire to those who just wanted a little more insight on
social justice issues, everyone was thankful to the Center for
Multicultural Affairs, the Black Student Union and the School
of Management for co-sponsoring the Michael Kenneth
Williams lecture on Thursday February 27th. There was
standing room only in the Nelly Goletti Theatre as students,
faculty, staff and community members from as far as New
Jersey came to hear Michael Kenneth Williams. His talked
was based on his life in the context of many controversial
issues of today’s world, including racism, classism,
homophobia, survival and social justice. The event was
brought to campus during African-American History Month as
a follow-up to the popular First Year Seminar taught by Dr. Tia Gaynor, assistant professor of Public Administration
in the School of Management, which used Williams’ show The Wire to expose students to issues of social justice.
The event was originally scheduled to be in Student Center room 3105, but before Williams arrived, the audience
grew to an unexpected size of over 300, and the event was moved into the Nelly Goletti Theatre.
The accomplished actor and dancer walked the audience through his life, speaking openly about his struggles
with alcohol and drug abuse, his winding path to fame, and his search for an identity. Jordan Carter, president of the
Black Student Union, said “I really enjoyed how he touched upon the subject of race and making sure people who
were in ‘higher offices’ knew that he was not going to shy away from any opportunity that was being given out,
solely because of the way he looks and how the world perceived him to be (the guy with the gangster scar on his
face).”
Madeline Lo, treasurer and webmaster of the Black Student Union, said that “the talk was inspirational. It was
also a wakeup call because it made me realize that people may look like they have their life together when they are
really struggling. Even though life was difficult, Mr. Williams never gave up and life worked out for him. I was
really surprised that he went through so many life problems before and during his career.”
Through all of the heavy topics Williams discussed, he was able to infuse laughter into the theater and really
connect with those in the audience. He gave valuable advice and insight to students not only about social justice
issues, but also about career goals and success in life during the question and answer session at the end of his
lecture. “I liked his genuine honesty when answering questions from the crowd. They were extremely well thought
out answers, and he took pride in interacting with the crowd of fans after. Furthermore, he explained how he had
to learn how to manage his money at a young age in his career. That is very important knowledge for any college
student,” Carter remarked.
Having the opportunity to hear from and interact with Williams was a memorable experience for the over 300
people in attendance of the lecture. Afterward, students crowded around to get an autograph from Michael Kenneth
Williams as the theater emptied. A handful of selected students, faculty and staff had the pleasure of eating dinner
with Williams after the lecture as well.
By Lizzie Grisafi
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DEVIN TESON & THE UN CLUB
Devin Teson is a Political Science Major with a Criminal Justice
Minor. She is from Makakilo, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. She is
involved in Dance Ensemble, the UN Chapter at Marist, and works
at admissions as a student assistant and tour guide.
Can you give us some background about the UN club?
There used to be a model UN club here, but it fell apart some years ago. I got involved with people who
wanted to revive it after coming back from abroad in spring 2013. My fellow students Nick Bayer, Karyn
Pierre-Louis, and Shannon Lashlee were talking to our Faculty Advisor, Dr. Juris, about starting a club. We started
the process (redoing the bylaws, talking to SGA, meeting with the Director of College Activities, Bob Lynch,
collecting signatures, spreading awareness etc). We are looking to become members of the UN Association of the
USA (UNA-USA), an advocacy group that brings awareness of the UN’s mission to communities to get people
involved. We want this club to have two components: 1) Model UN—Dr. Juris is planning on having a class to help
get students involved by Spring 2015 and 2) Advocacy—we want to spread awareness of world issues, what the UN
does, why we should do things that will change the world, even in a small way.
What made you decide to start one here at Marist?
I got involved with this after studying abroad in the Middle East, in Oman. After spending three months there
and one month in Germany, I wanted to do something here at Marist. All of us involved have traveled, or want
to, but we all want to know more about the world. I realized when I was abroad that there are many reasons why
countries don’t always get along, but it’s not really the people, it’s the small things—how we greet each other, what
is considered rude or normal—that get under our skin. The only way to counteract that is to educate people, make
them aware, and show them why we should care. We are a part of this world and with everything that is going
on—Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, the Russia-Ukraine situation, Venezuela—we should know as much as we can to do
the best we can to deal with these situations.
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What are your goals for the club?
We are hoping to get students aware and active. We have been having regular meetings this semester and we
spend about 45 minutes just talking about what is going on in the world, sharing opinions and talking about things
that we don’t always get to talk about. We also want to have a strong presence in the Model UN debate conferences
that happen. Hopefully we can work with other clubs on campus to build a strong team that will represent Marist at
local and regional conferences and even maybe go to local grade schools and start promoting the UN there.
When does the club meet? How can we contact you if we have questions about the club?
We meet every other Thursday around 9:15pm. We have a Facebook page (the United Nations Chapter at
Marist) and anyone who has questions can email me at Devin.Teson1@marist.edu or the club account at
uncmc@gmail.com.
Have you visited the UN?
I have been to the UN a couple times this year. Last semester, Karyn, Nick, Shannon and I went down in
October and we helped out at an award ceremony for the Queen of Spain. She accepted an award on behalf of her
country for their work with aiding disabled individuals and creating equal access and opportunity. Dani Villa,
Abigail Boughman and I also went down on Feb 7 to the UNA-USA Members Day Conference. And last
semester, the Chapter took about 20 students down to talk with Peace Keepers, the Spanish Ambassador to the UN,
and UNA-USA coordinators.
What experiences have you had with multiculturalism and diversity either on campus or abroad?
I come from a very mixed background and I was a little surprised when I came to Marist about the range of
things here—there are some groups of people who are so accepting and open and diverse that all you want to do is
pick their brains and there are also others who stay in their cliques because it is what is comfortable. We in the UN
Chapter definitely want to change that. We want to make sure our club welcomes people from all over and because
we are all so enthusiastic about what is going on in the world, we want to know what is going on and we want to
experience things. At our meetings sometimes we swap stories and share where we want to go next.
I was abroad in the Middle East and was able to visit Dubai and France (while I was in Germany). I was
shocked, amazed and liberated. After seeing these other countries and people, experiencing Oman and getting told
I could pass as an Arab and then getting mistaken as French and German later, I realized how similar cultures are,
yet appreciated the differences that make them unique and interesting. I became so comfortable in my own skin
after studying abroad; I wouldn’t change it for anything. And I would love to be able to convince someone else to
do it as well.
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MARDI GRAS
In French, Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, essentially
referring to the practice of eating large amounts of fatty foods
before the Christian ritual of fasting during Lent. Mardi Gras was
celebrated in America as a French-Catholic tradition starting in
the late 18th century—particularly in the French territory of
Louisiane, now the states of Alabama, Louisiana, and
Mississippi. Mardi Gras, or Carnival, is celebrated across the
world in countries including Belgium, Sweden, Italy, the
Netherlands, Germany, and Brazil. This year, the Mardi Gras
“day” occured on Tuesday, March 4th. However, celebrations go
on for much longer than just the one day. Mardi Gras actually
refers to the Carnival celebrations, a Christian season of festivals before Lent during which Christians observe
fasting and resisting temptation. Lent lasts for approximately 6 weeks. Mardi Gras begins on or after the
Epiphany, January 6th, and lasts until Ash Wednesday. Popular practices during the celebration include parades,
wearing masks and costumes, dancing, and more. In the United States, New Orleans has become the best-known
city for Mardi Gras celebrations and parades. Participants wear unique and creative costumes, usually sporting the
colors purple, green, and gold. Russian Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovich Romanov picked these colors in 1872.
Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power. Celebrations are always lively and
upbeat, because Mardi Gras is a time for partying and indulgence before the season of Lent, when Christians fast
and give up luxuries as a form of penitence for their sins.
Source: www.wired.com, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/364403/Mardi-Gras, http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/mgcolors.html
By Lauren Emory (guest writer)
ROZA MAKHMUDOVA
What is your job in the office and what is your availability for students?
I work as a Graduate Assistant at the CMA, providing academic
counseling/coaching for the HEOP freshmen students, as well as assisting staff
members with events, workshops, orientations, and the admissions process. I am
here on Mondays 9am to 4pm and on Wednesdays 9am to 5pm. Please feel free
to stop by!
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Kazan, Russia. I came to the USA in 2011 upon my
graduation from the Kazan Federal University with a bachelor’s degree in
Psychology and English. Currently, I am a student in the Mental Health
Counseling program at Marist and am expected to graduate this year.
Who or what inspires you?
Working with students over the past year has been a pleasure. Seeing the effort they put in, watching them
succeed, and overcome their personal struggles has been an inspiration to me. On a personal note, seeing my dog
be happy, just because she is alive, reminds me to do the same and to focus on the positives rather than on the
negatives.
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What is your favorite quote/moto/mantra?
There was a Pepsi commercial on Russian TV several years ago that used the motto “Get everything out of
life.” I really liked the sentiment of this simple phrase.
MARY CANTO RICE
What is your job in the office?
As Assistant Director of CMA/HEOP, I assist with the
administration of program services for our CMA/HEOP students and
the Marist College community. I am one of the main contacts for the
HEOP admissions process. Like the other CMA/HEOP staff members,
I will be working with students on a variety of academic, educational,
career, personal and financial topics. One of my favorite aspects of my
job is that I can really get to know my students well.
What is your availability for students?
I work full-time, twelve-months a year, so I am generally here
Mondays through Fridays. I try to have an open-door policy for
students whenever possible, unless I am otherwise scheduled to be in
a meeting or away from my desk. Students or colleagues can reach me
either by calling the office number or emailing me.
Where are you from?
I was born in Queens, but my family moved to New Jersey when I was a young child. I was raised in central
New Jersey, went to college and graduate school at Trenton State College (The College of New Jersey). I moved
to the Poughkeepsie area in 1999, after I became engaged, and I have enjoyed living and working in the Hudson
Valley. It is a beautiful area to live and raise a family.
What do you like to do in your free time (hobbies, etc)?
I am a mom to three children (two boys and a girl) and they keep us busy. When I am not working, I am
usually spending time with them at their activities. I also enjoy history, traveling, reading, and going to the beach.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by a lot of different things. Young children, including my own. I love to see the wonder and
excitement when they learn a new skill or make a discovery. I am inspired by the older generations of my family
and others. I think about the paths they paved and the sacrifices they made along the way for me and my peers. I am
also inspired by those who overcome adversity every day of their lives and still manage to keep moving forward. I
am inspired by my students and I love having the opportunity to help them discover themselves during their
college experience.
What is your favorite quote/motto/mantra?
“It is never too late to be what you might have been” by George Eliot. I like this quote because I feel it
reminds us or encourages us to do better today, tomorrow, or the next day. If you made a mistake, try to work on
fixing it. If you didn’t like how you performed in high school, take the opportunity to do better in college. There is
almost always a chance to start anew or to change one’s course in life.
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For further information:
Contact the Marist College Center for
Multicultural Affairs at (845) 575-3204
e-mail multicultural@marist.edu
Phone (845) 575 3204
Fax (845) 575 3195
www.marist.edu/academics/multicultural
Marist College
Center for Multicultural Affairs (CMA)
A Division of Student Academic Affairs
Cannavino Library Suite 337
Poughkeepsie, NY
12601-1387