Diversity Blossoms at World Student Organization’s Annual Multicultural Fair

This past weekend, the World Student Organization (WSO) hosted the annual Multicultural Fair where students from a variety of backgrounds showcased their cultural identities and kicked off International Education Week.

Even in a town as rural as Ada, Ohio Northern attracts students from all over the world and has hosted more than sixty international students in the past two years. Cultural organizations, such as the Indian Student Association, Black Student Union, and Japanese Student Organization, thrive on campus, providing all individuals with a community of shared backgrounds. The fair is an opportunity for these groups to educate their peers on their culture through interactive activities. 

“The Multicultural Fair brings a piece of everyone’s home to one shared space, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere where students from all backgrounds can connect with and learn about each other’s cultures,” wrote Holton Watson, Assistant Director of Multicultural Development. “For the multicultural community, this event is especially meaningful because it offers a space to celebrate their identities openly and proudly, sharing parts of themselves that might not always be visible in daily campus life.”

At the event, students were able to take a tour around the world, exploring tables that represented regions of Europe, East Asia, Africa and South Asia, and North and South America. Attendees were able to grab a taste of these cultures by getting food at two of the four catering stations: Chinese, Indian, Greek, and U.S. Southern Comfort.

Various performers took the stage as attendees enjoyed their food and mingled with the presenters. The event kicked off with Dean of Students Adriane Thompson Bradshaw’s ONU Gospel Ensemble and music professor Dr. Sarah Waters’ students performing “Let’s Samba!” The following performances included traditional Indian dances, pianist Dean Alstaetter, as well as the Wadaiko Gouken Japanese Drum Troupe. The evening ended with the Belizean and American duo Gael Patt and Aaron Rupp.

International Services Coordinator Katerina Hinkle serves as the WSO advisor and believes the “vibrant celebration” is a brilliant way to spotlight the unique backgrounds of the university’s students.

“ONU’s annual Multicultural Fair provides a public space for our multicultural community to proudly share their roots and it invites others to consider and appreciate new ways of experiencing our campus and our world,” said Hinkle. “The Fair fosters curiosity and expands our cross-cultural skills and communication. The event is a key opportunity for our multicultural community to lead us in becoming more informed global citizens.”

The event was sponsored by several organizations, including Student Senate, the Committee of Cultural & Special Events, the Office of International Services, and the Office of Multicultural Development. The Multicultural Fair as a whole brought the campus together in more ways than one, and demonstrated what it means to celebrate diversity and communication at our university.