Syracuse University’s international students to experience first taste of American Thanksgiving tradition on Nov. 19

Syracuse University’s international students to experience first taste of American Thanksgiving tradition on Nov. 19November 06, 2006Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Some of Syracuse University’s international students and scholars will get their first taste of traditional Thanksgiving fare — including turkey and pumpkin pie — during SU’s 27th Annual International Thanksgiving Celebration, to be held Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium. More than 500 international students, scholars 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 and scholars to the American Thanksgiving tradition. The meal is served family style, and members of the University and Syracuse communities are involved as table hosts, keeping the conversation lively and answering questions about the celebration.

The Rev. Thomas V. Wolfe, dean of Hendricks Chapel, and Patricia A. Burak, director of the Slutzker Center, will serve as co-hosts. Greetings will be offered by SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor; Cornelius B. Murphy Jr., president of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and Divya Kurup, president of the Association of International Students at SU (AISSU). Regina Jones, programs coordinator in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, will offer a Native American Thanksgiving address.

“Thomas Friedman’s 2005 bestseller, ‘The World is Flat,’ states that ‘cultures are not wired into our human DNA. They are a product of the context — geography, educational level, leadership and historical experience — of any society.’ It is through events such as our International Thanksgiving Celebration that our international students and scholars, and their families, become ‘wired into’ our culture,” says Burak. “The hosts share traditions and personal stories, information and a holiday experience, which stays with them forever. Chancellor Cantor and President Murphy demonstrate the value of culture to the leadership of our institutions. What a wonderful way to further flatten the world and enjoy the common ground we share.”

The South Asian Student Association will provide entertainment.

Donors to this year’s event include Benchmark Marketing; Empire State Venture Corp.; the Islamic Society of Central New York; Johnson Paper; Maines; Paul deLima Coffee; Plainville Turkey Farms; Samir’s Imports; the Slutzker Center; Spectrum Foods; Stroehmann Bakeries; SU Bookstore; SU Food Services; Syracuse Banana; Sysco Foods; Upstate Farms; U.S. Foodservice; Westcott Florist; and West Side Foods.