University’s International Thanksgiving Dinner to be held Nov. 22

Some of Syracuse University’s international students will be treated to their first taste of traditional Thanksgiving fare, such as turkey and pumpkin pie, during SU’s 30th annual International Thanksgiving Celebration, to be held Sunday, Nov. 22, in Goldstein Auditorium in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center.

More than 400 international students and their families are expected to attend the invitation-only dinner, which will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The annual feast is sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, the Division of Student Affairs and the Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services. Turkey and the trimmings–such as dressing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce–are part of the dinner, which is designed to introduce newly arrived international students to the American Thanksgiving tradition. The meal is served family style, and members of the University and greater Syracuse communities are involved as table hosts, keeping conversation lively and answering questions about the celebration.

The Rev. Kelly Sprinkle, interim dean of Hendricks Chapel, and Patricia A. Burak, director of the Slutzker Center, serve as co-hosts. Greetings will be offered by SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor and Cornelius B. Murphy Jr., president of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Members of SU’s Groovestand a cappella group will perform “Song of Peace” before the meal. Entertainment after the meal will be provided by La Familia de la Salsa and the SU Brazilian Ensemble.

Donors for this year’s celebration include: Benchmark Marketing, Bimbo Bakeries, Byrne Dairy, Johnson Paper Co., Imam Ahmed Kobeisy, Maines Paper and Food Service, Mid-State Food Brokers, Dr. Mark Paciorek, Paul deLima Co., Renzi Foodservice, Samir’s Import Foods, Spectrum Food Services, Syracuse Banana Co., SU Bookstore, Sysco Co. U.S. Foodservice, West Side Foods and Westcott Florist.