Syracuse University’s International Thanksgiving Dinner to be held on Nov. 23

Syracuse University’s International Thanksgiving Dinner to be held on Nov. 23November 13, 2008Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Many 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 29th annual International Thanksgiving Celebration, to be held Sunday, Nov. 23, in Goldstein Auditorium in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. More than 400 international students, scholars and their families are expected to attend the 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; Cornelius B. Murphy Jr., president of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and the Rev. Tomi Jacobs, Protestant chaplain at Hendricks Chapel. Regina Jones, programs coordinator in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, will offer a Native American Thanksgiving address.

Members of adult dance groups from St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church in DeWitt will provide entertainment.

Donors for this year’s celebration include Benchmark Marketing, Byrne Dairy, Johnson Paper, Lomac and May, Maines, Paul de Lima Coffee, Plainville Turkey, Samir’s Import and Sysco Foods the Slutzker Center for International Services, Spectrum Foods, Stroehmann’s-Weston Bakeries, the SU Bookstore, SU Food Services, Syracuse Banana, U.S. Foodservice, Westcott Florist and West Side Foods.