In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting a series of events in April in collaboration with students, faculty and staff across campus.
The month-long celebration begins on April 1, with the kickoff event on Thursday, April 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in 500 Hall of Languages. Attendees will enjoy food, meet and mingle with students, faculty and staff, learn about the month’s events, view and discuss the documentary film “Vincent Who?,” and participate in the unveiling of this year’s Anti-Asian Hate Crime Exhibit.
AAPI Heritage Month consists of programs and signature events that educates all members of the Syracuse University community about the histories, cultural diversity, contributions and often-underreported challenges of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Recognized nationally in May, Syracuse University honors the month in April to celebrate while the campus community is still together.
This year’s planning committee chose “Reclaim the Past, Reframe the Future” as the theme for the month.
“This year’s theme focuses on remembering and acknowledging the past, while also looking ahead and building solidarity within the AAPI community and with other marginalized communities,” says Huey Hsiao, associate director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and chair of the AAPI Heritage Month planning committee. “As the fastest growing racial group in the U.S., we also hope that our calendar of events educates the campus community about the unique challenges, aspirations and successes of the AAPI community.”
A highlight of AAPI Heritage Month each year is the commemorative lecture, and this year will not disappoint. Anish Shroff ’04, ESPN studio host, anchor and play-by-play commentator for college sports will be speaking on April 13 at 6 p.m. in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons (114 Bird Library) about “Ethnic Identity and the Power of Being Undefined. Shroff earned a B.S. in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University. The free event is co-sponsored by the Office of Program Development and is open to the public.
Other highlights for this year’s heritage month celebration include:
For full details, access the AAPI Heritage Month events calendar, designed by planning committee members Jenna Koyama ’18 and Sudan Zhang ’18, on the Office of Multicultural Affairs website. Hard copies are available for pickup in Suite 105 in the Schine Student Center.
Follow AAPI Heritage Month events and updates using the hashtag #CuseAAPIHM. For more information on AAPI Heritage Month events, contact Huey Hsiao at huhsiao@syr.edu or 315.443.9676.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.
