Join us for a month-long series of events honoring the culture, traditions and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
National Theme: Advancing Leaders through Innovation
In June 1978, Representative Frank Horton of New York introduced a resolution proposing that the President should “proclaim a week, which is to include the seventh and tenth of the month, during the first ten days in May of 1979 as ‘Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.’” After that presidents passed annual proclamations for "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week" until 1990 when Congress passed a law which expanded the observance to a month for 1990. Then in 1992, Congress passed another law which annually designated May as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month." Because of the abundance of activities surrounding Commencement, Rider University celebrates "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month" in April, with a variety of traditional cultural events to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
Schedule of Events
Monday, April 8
Exploring AAPI Cuisine
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Daly Dining Hall – Teaching Kitchen
Bring your appetite as we explore different foods within the AAPI culture. We will be learning how to make three different foods from three different cultures and combining them to make one tasty dish!
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion–CDI)
Thursday, April 11
Hangul 101
Noon
CDI Large Meeting Room
To celebrate AAPI month, we will be learning the basics of the writing system of the Korean language called Hangul! Bring your pen and paper with you to practice with our very own Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Heeyoung Kim! We hope to see you there.
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion–CDI)
Wednesday, April 17
Pulse of Asia: A Dance and Culture Extravaganza
6 p.m.
Cavalla Room
It is a celebration of AAPI month, a party to celebrate your remarkable achievements of this semester! A professional dance performance will be there, and many spectacular students/faculties shows will be there!
(Faculty/Staff Asian Affinity Group and Center for Diversity and Inclusion)
Thursday, April 18
AAPI Pop Culture Galore!
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CDI Large Meeting Room
Join us in the celebration of AAPI Month to engage in discussing and recognizing the significance of Asian Pop Culture! Indulge in conversation, exciting trivia, and other fulfilling activities!
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion–CDI)
Other Events
Tuesday, April 16
Pre-Commencement: A Rite of Passage
Graduate Pregather: 5:30 p.m. in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Ceremony: 7 p.m. Cavalla Room
Dessert Reception: 8:30 p.m.
The mission of this pre-commencement ceremony is to celebrate the accomplishments of undergraduate and graduate students of color at Rider University including: Black/African Americans, Chicanx/Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and Multi-Ethnic, who have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree. This event recognizes their achievement through resolute persistence, hard work, and dedication to the advancement of an enriched educational experience at Rider University.
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion)
Thursday, April 18
Kente Graduation Ceremony
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
BLC Cavalla Room
This will be Black Student Union’s third Kente Graduation, which is a ceremony practiced in the United States, typically by African American students graduating from high school or college, where participants are presented with a Kente stole to be worn over their gown during the graduation ceremony. The Kente cloth tradition itself holds broader value to people of African descent living outside of the continent, displayed in honor of their ancestral heritage or as a symbol of overcoming their struggles.
(Black Student Union–BSU; Center for Diversity and Inclusion–CDI)
Date & Time
-
9:00 am - 5:00 pmMonday, Apr 8, 2024
6:00 pm - 7:30 pmExploring AAPI Cuisine
Thursday, Apr 11, 2024
12:00 pm - 1:00 pmHangul 101
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024
6:00 pm - 9:00 pmPulse of Asia: A Dance and Culture Extravaganza
Thursday, Apr 18, 2024
11:30 am - 1:00 pmAAPI Pop Culture Galore!