A week of celebration that honored Martin Luther King Jr., with a number of events on Western's campus. During our two MLK Days of Service, 136 students participated in 13 projects for a combined 355 hours of service! To conclude, Nikki Giovanni was a guest speaker and presented to a packed house of engaged students and faculty/staff that evening. Then on January 29, more than 200 students met with 44 community organizations at the 8th Annual Service Learning Fair.
The Department of Intercultural Affairs hosted the V-Day/ Vagina Monologues Campaign by showing a documentary "It's a Girl" to discuss the gendercide in India, as well as China, and to show violence against women beginning as early as birth. Another event that took place, V-Men Standing Up and Speaking Out, was an opportunity to speak out against sexual assault.
A Hunger Banquet, students had a free meal and learned more about hunger as well as food insecurity issues around the world. Attendees were encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items.
The 12th Annual Gender Conference: Women & Ethnicity. This conference consisted of papers or poster presentations focusing on gender research. The keynote speaker, Crystal Endsley, will speak on behalf of women's experiences due to ethnicity.
The No Limits March: This event is in celebration of the power, strength, network, and community of women on campus. Influential female faculty/staff will speak about their challenges, strengths, and journeys. A march on campus will follow and refreshments will be served.
Dance Marathon is a national event to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. Participants raised money that helps sick kids. The year culminates in a 12-hour long event where students stay on their feet through dancing, games, and entertainment; the question that is asked, 'will you dance for the children who can't? There were over 300 participants that rose over $8,000 for the Children's Miracle Network.
Habitat for Humanity Women Build Saturday, Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring 'Women Build' workdays! Volunteers helped build and remodel houses for our low-income neighbors in the community.
TRANSaction Day: The Department of Intercultural Affairs presents TRANSaction day, which is celebrated nationally, and encourages dialogue about gender identities, as well as makes students aware of implementing safety for all.
24th Annual International Festival has given the community and various students on campus the chance to engage and explore the different cultures our world has to offer. This event includes different food, music, dance and artistry.
Jeans Day Friday, an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore jeans, reasoning she must have helped her attacker remove them. On Denim Day, wear your jeans as a visible sign of protest against the myths that still surround sexual assault.
FOCUS: First-Year Opportunities for Community and University Service was an outstanding success with nearly 200 first-year Catamounts engaging in the very local Western Carolina University community.
Voter Registration Day! We registered any students interested in being a voting member of the Jackson County precinct. Whether RED or BLUE in affiliation, you can't get purple without combining both!
Author Paul Loeb (Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in Challenging Times and The Impossible Will Take a While) gave out assignments and selected readings from Soul of a Citizen that faculty and staff can use to integrate this presentation into their curricula.
GET OUT AND VOTE! The Public Policy Institute, Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, and WCU organized non-stop shuttles to and from the local polling place (Cullowhee Recreation Center).