An impressive array of Asian culture was on display as St. Louis University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Among the wonderful mosaic of organizations participating in the celebration in the D’Angelo Center Ballroom on the St. John’s Queens, NY, were students representing alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc.; Association of Chinese Students and Scholars; Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.; Filipino-Americans Reaching All; and the Vietnamese Student Association.
In East Asian astrology, 2023 is designated as the year of the Rabbit. The rabbit symbolizes grace, elegance and beauty. It is one of the 12 luckiest animals for both wealth and career. The year 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
Ching-Wen Rosa Yen ’03GEd, ’12G, Director of International Student Development and Multicultural Affairs, has coordinated the annual event for the past two decades. Looking out the panoramic windows as the evening sun set over the New York City skyline, she beamed with cultural pride as she noted, “Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse urban areas in the world, and St. John’s is a microcosm of diversity. We celebrate the Lunar New Year and much more here tonight.”
While a long line of students waited to register for the event, others took calligraphy lessons, bought raffle tickets and mingled in anticipation of the lively party that featured Asian food, a traditional lion dance, cultural performances by a professional dance team and St. John’s Asian Student Organizations. The dinner menu included authentic Chinese, Filipino, Korean and Vietnamese cuisine; bubble tea; and Asian pastries.
Elmhurst, NY, native Lauren Phu, a senior studying Communication Arts and a member of Kappa Phi Lambda, a sorority with an Asian interest, was one of the student speakers at the event. “We all gather for a Lunar New Year dinner like you would in a traditional Asian family,” she explained. “This event serves to bring more awareness and appreciation for Asian culture on campus. St. John’s is right in Queens’ backyard, and it’s such a multicultural place. I am proud to be a part of the cultural experience here.”
Originally from Madrid, Spain, Ignacio Prieto is a Business Analytics major and a Student Coordinator for Project AIM, a peer mentoring program that promotes student success by supporting student engagement, community building, personal development, and retention first and second. – international students. “This event depicts the international community here in St. John’s sharing and celebrating their cultures,” he said. “It’s great to see so many students supporting each other.”
Joel Stephen of Trinidad and Tobago, a junior studying Management in the Peter J. Tobin College of Business, agreed, saying, “The Lunar New Year Dinner is a grand celebration and a proud St. John’s tradition that features a fusion of Asian culture.”
