University’s 38th Annual International Thanksgiving Celebration Is Nov. 17

Update Nov. 15: Tickets for this event are sold out.

First-year international students and members of the University community will come together for Syracuse University’s 38th Annual International Thanksgiving Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Approximately 500 members of the University community are expected to take part in the annual tradition this year. The celebration is sponsored by the Chancellor’s House and the Center for International Services.

Started by the University in the 1980s by the late Rev. T.E. Koshy, the celebration is intended to introduce new international students to the American Thanksgiving experience. This year’s event will be held in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Interested students must register in advance; email invitations have been sent to our international student community.

The meal, provided by Food Services, is served family-style and will include traditional Thanksgiving fare such as turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Kosher and Halal turkey will be available, and a variety of vegetable dishes for vegans or vegetarians. Students can indicate their dietary preferences when they register. Table hosts—faculty, staff and community members—will engage attendees in conversation and answer questions about the history and traditions of Thanksgiving.

“Each year, we look forward to extending the invitation to our international student community to come share a meal in gratitude and experience a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with friends old and new,” says Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, who will co-host the celebration with Center for International Services Director Juan Tavares. “It is an important part of Syracuse University’s mission to be a university that is inclusive and welcoming to all—and this annual tradition is one example of how we meet that mission.”

“The International Thanksgiving Celebration is one of my favorite events on campus as it represents a wonderful opportunity for our international students,” says Tavares. “They experience a family-style traditional American meal and conversation that gives them an ideal way to learn about this tradition. It is an honor to co-host this event with Dr. Chen.”

With questions or for more information, contact Kelley Champa at 315.443.4439 or kachampa@syr.edu.