The Newsletter for Hamline University’s                                            

Center for Multicultural and International Student Affairs                          

Volume: X

Edition: I

Editor:

Jennifer Fairbanks

INSIDE THIS EDITION 

MISA Student Workers

2

Hispanic Heritage Month

3

Upcoming Events

4

Spotlights 5-6

Night at the Theatre

7

MISA Calendar

8

 

“Supporting, 

Strengthening and 

Empowering          

Our Community”          

since 1970. 

Student Of Color Retreat 2007

T he 2007 Stu-dent of Color Retreat was a

great success and a wonderful way to be-gin the new school year. Thirty-four stu-dents of color ranging from first years to seniors spent a week-end at Camp Courage in Maple Lake engag-ing in lively conversa-tions and community building activities. The weekend began with discussions and

reflections on self identity and then as the weekend progressed, we started to look at our multiple communities. By the end of the re-treat, new found friendships were formed and old friendships were strengthened.

As a senior and this being my fourth and last retreat, it was a fabulous way to renew my en-ergy to keep it going for one last year here at Ham-line. I

am amazed and charmed by all of the underclassmen that I have had the pleasure of meeting thus far. I hope that the connections that were made that weekend will be able to continue to grow and transform over the next few years. I am sad to know that this was my last retreat but the memories were great and friendships will continue to evolve.

-Ho Nguyen

Students strike a pose for the traditional SOC Retreat group photo. 

Clarence, Brittany, and Zach.  

Jesada, Elizabeth, Ho, Pa, Annie,  Mary, Jamie, Stacy, and AB.  

AGNES NYAMWANGE,

Graduate Student

Hometown: Kenya

Major: Masters of Art in Management

Hobbies: Chatting, swimming, watching movies, reading novels, and traveling.

Future Plans: To be able to lead and make a difference in the community that I live in and to be able to stand out positively.

MISA Office Student Workers

PARIS RICHARDSON,

class of 2010

Hometown: Kankakee, IL

Major: International Journalism, Pre-law

Hobbies: Playing the X Box 360, writ-ing, ESPN, track, PRIDE, and campus life.

Future Plans: The Olympics, Sports Commentator, explore the world, coach and recruit for track.

LOREN ALFARO,

class of 2010

Hometown: Arlington, MN

Major: Global Studies and English

Hobbies: Reading and writing

Future Plans: Travel to Japan; do something to help people from other countries.

HO NGUYEN, class of 2008

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Major: Political Science and Sociology

Hobbies: Writing, movies, books, being with friend, tutoring kids, traveling, music, and arts.

Future Plans: To enroll in a public policy or social work gradu-ate program; finding a full-time job in community organization, and traveling more.

AFA ALIZADA,

class of 2008

Hometown: Baku, Azerbaijan

Major: Political Science

Hobbies: Reading, biking, dancing, going on long walks.

Future Plans: Go to graduate school and get my Master's in International Relations or International Economic Develop-ment.

PAGE 2

JENNIFER FAIRBANKS,

class of 2009

Hometown: Coon Rapids, MN

Major: Mass Communications (Journalism)

Hobbies: Writing, drawing, graphics.

Future Plans: To work for a newspaper or magazine company, and move to New York City and be successful. Travel around.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2007

PAGE 3

Here at Hamline, the Hispanic and Latino Organization (HALO) puts on events every year during the month of September. The theme for this year’s month was “Building Community.” HALO President Jonathan England said, “It was inspired by the overall need for community. Commu-nity within Hamline, the state, the nation, and within the world.” Effective team work and communication as well as a lot of time and hard work went into planning this month’s events. The purpose of the events that HALO planned “was to first create an environment through which a community could be established,” England said. The events were also meant to share the Hispanic and Latino culture with the Hamline community. The overall turn out for the events was said to be better than expected. The first event HALO put on had about 50 people, and Open Mic Night drew the same number of attendees. Open Mic Night had 12 people perform. There was one spoken word piece about cultural experiences and some musical performances reflecting self expression. England feels the events were successful in what the organization was trying to accomplish for the month: “Especially the kick-off event, the HALO BBQ. We had many people there cross culturally,” England said. “It was a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. And there was plenty of conversation to go around.” The general direction England would like to see HALO head towards is one of self-identification. In addition to the new members of HALO this year, next year Hamline students have a lot to look forward to during Hispanic Heritage Month. When asked about what students should expect for next year, England said, “Take history. Take His-panic Heritage Month 2007. And take everyone that came before it—and multiply it by ten.”

HISTORY The U.S. Congress in September of 1968 authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The celebration later became expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration, being held from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The day of Sept. 15th was chosen as the start for the commemoration because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries. Those countries are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18 respectively. Today, there are currently 13 states with at least half a million Hispanic residents, with New Mexico having its total population as the highest in Hispanic residents at 43%.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2007 Events:

9/15: Kick-Off Event

9/19: HHM Jeopardy

9/20: This Is My Story

9/25: HHM Discussions

10/3: Open Mic Night

Transitions in the MISA Office Cherish Hagen-Swanson was the Coordinator for Interna-tional Student Programs at the MISA Office. She recently joined the MISA staff in the spring semester of 2007. Cher-ish, who was born and raised in Minnesota, had worked at the MN State University in Mankato before coming to Ham-

line. Earlier this semester she decided to return there as Assistant Director. While MISA was sad to see her go, they wish her the best in the future.

PAGE 4

PAMOJA AFRICAN NIGHT: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2

5:30pm-6:30pm: Enjoy delicacies from all over the continent and diaspora at Bush Students Center

6:30pm-7pm: Vendor Exhibition at Sundin Music Hall (African wear, art and merchandise)

7pm-9pm: Cultural Ensemble show case West Africa/East Africa/Southern Africa and Egyptian culture

9pm-12am: After Party with renowned DJ from downtown Minneapolis at Bush Student's Center Ballroom

Sponsored by Hamline African Student Association (HASA)

Hmong Heritage Month Events (November):

HSA Open House

Tuesday, October 23rd 6:00pm, Law/Grad 106

HSA Spooky Halloween Night

Tuesday, October 30th 6:30pm, Manor Main Lounge

HSA Keynote Speaker: Ka Vang

Thursday, November 1st 7:00pm, GLC 100E

HSA Game Night

Tuesday, November 6th 6:00pm, Klas Center Ballroom

HSA Art Festival

Thursday, November 8th 7:00pm, Student Center HUB

HSA New Year Celebration Saturday, November 17th

1:00pm, Klas Center

Multicultural and International Student Careers Dinner

The CDC and MISA Offices invite you

to attend a DINNER DISCUSSION

with MULTICULTURAL & INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI

to learn about their career paths, tips for success in college and how to prepare for life after Hamline!

Register by Wednesday, October 31st, 2006 at the CDC in Drew Science 113 or call 651-523-2302 to sign up.

This event is open to Students of Color and International Students only

Wednesday, November 7th,

Upcoming Events

Student Spotlights

PAGE 5

What year are you? 

David: I am a third year student.

Kristofer: Freshman.

Alexa: First Year. What’s your nationality? 

David: German.

Kristofer: African American.

Alexa: Multi-racial, Caribbean & Ethiopian. Where are you from? 

David: I am an exchange student from the University of Trier.

Kristofer: Maryland.

  Alexa: Minnesota. What is your major and why? 

David: My major is Communication Studies, because I am interested in journalism, global communication, media reception, etc.

Kristofer: Undecided.

Alexa: Pre-Med. I am an aspiring Neurologist. What are you planning to do with that major and why? 

David: Maybe become a journalist? Because I don’t give up easily, like researching about a topic, like to write and work with people.

Alexa: Neurology. I have a strong fascination with the brain. Call me a geek, but I can appreciate the strength and the complexity of the organ. What kinds of jobs have you had?  Have you done any volunteer work in the past? 

David: I did several internships at online media companies in Germany and am currently working voluntarily for online magazines.

Kristofer: I’ve been a bagger as far as pay job go, but other then that most of my work has been community related.

Alexa: I have worked in jobs pertaining to movies. I’ve also been an assistant since I was in the 5th grade. I volunteered with Big Sister/ Little Sister in High School.

What are your hobbies? 

David: Mixing, Basketball, go to events, party, traveling, music, writing…

Kristofer: Hanging out with my friends, anime, and a little working out every now an then.

Alexa:  Screenplay writing, drawing, & dancing. Are you involved with anything here on the Hamline campus? Or do you plan to become involved in the future? 

David: At the moment, I am not involved in anything, but probably I will get involved in the future.

Kristofer: I am one of the first year reps.

Alexa: Not yet! I’m going to try for another job, not that I don’t truly appreciate Carlos’s good word for me. Chemistry is taking up my life! I want to get a job and also participate in MISA!

Are you enjoying Hamline so far? 

David: Of course, I do! I had a fun time so far and looking forward to even more good experience.

Kristofer: I love this campus and even though I have my moments I’m thank full for being here.

Alexa: Yes I am. I feel pretty comfortable. Although at times, feel a little ‘caged’. Why did you choose Hamline? 

David: To be perfectly honest, because Trier has an exchange program and it is an opportunity to study in the USA.

Kristofer: Hamline was the only university to keep working with me and for the time they spent on me I am truly thankful.

Alexa: I liked the classes available, as well as the help. The campus was the final propaganda

HHH igh school students often need a guided path to follow for getting into college. Just like Hamline college students follow the crosswalk across the street to the Admissions House, the recruitment staff for

the University is constantly crossing a similar pathway to get to different cul-tures and high school students. Michelle Garay may be one of the newer faces here at Hamline herself but she certainly is doing her part to bring in even more new faces to the campus. In mid-October, Michelle Garay will have been here at Hamline Uni-versity for a full year. She is the Assistant Director of Admission and the Co-ordinator of Multicultural Recruitment for the CLA. Before coming to Ham-line she was the Latino recruiter for the U of M. “I focused on the recruit-

ment and retention of Latino students, one specific cultural group,” Garay said. As an Undergraduate, she did a lot of studying abroad—including going down to Tuscan, Arizona to be around other Latino people. When asked how she got into her field, she explained that it was sort of by chance. After she graduated from the U of M, she got a call to see if she wanted to be the Chi-cano-Latino recruiter. Although she says she didn’t know what that meant at first, she was glad to be able to work with Latinos. The opportunity to be the Assistant Director of Admission also came to Garay by chance. When volunteer-ing for the American Red Cross, she met Stephanie Harris who works at Hamline. They were both volunteers and af-ter talking discovered they also both worked with college students. Garay said, “She asked if I knew anyone who would be interested in being Hamline’s Assistant Director of Admissions and I said...well I would.” Garay viewed coming to Hamline as a great oppor-tunity to take on more responsibility. Here she’d be work-ing with students of all backgrounds. She was looking for a challenge though, and something different. The Christian environment is something she admires. She says that religion is treated with respect here and welcomed. Since Hamline is small and private, they expect people to build relations. The small campus she says also has helped her to meet more people here than at her previous job. “It’s a community environment here…Academic wise-I would come to Hamline University. They prepare you for the real world. Professors give out their home phone numbers for accessibility,” said Garay. What does she like best about Hamline? The students. She feels the hopes, dreams, and energy of the students helps her. Garay deals with a lot of St. Paul public school students and first generation students of color. Knowing how hard it can be for some students to find their way to college, she said they need someone to be mentored from. Garay says with this job she can really connect to urban students. She explained how amazing it is to watch a student with obstacles make it to orientation. The ones that are really appreciative of getting to college make her job worthwhile. Michelle Garay’s goal once was to write travel books. Or to become a travel critic and let people know what to ex-pect from places and the best opportunities out there. In a way, she says she’s achieved that since her current job at Hamline allows her to bridges cultures. She also, for many high school students needing direction, is their bridge college.

PAGE 6

Michelle GarayMichelle GarayMichelle Garay Assistant Director/

Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment

Staff Spotlight

Like Bowling? Like Bowling? Like Bowling? Pizza? Fun?Pizza? Fun?Pizza? Fun?

Come to the MISA Midday Bowl and Come to the MISA Midday Bowl and

enjoy a break from your busy day enjoy a break from your busy day

during Convo hour. during Convo hour.

There will be free pizza and bowling! There will be free pizza and bowling!

⇒ When:  Thursday November 1st

⇒ Time: 11:20am—12:40pm (Convo hour)

⇒ Where:  Meet at the MISA house at 11:20am, free

transportation to Midway Bowling will be pro-

vided.

For a FREE student ticket and reserva-tion for the reception, please contact the

MISA Office to RSVP (Only 1 ticket per person):

Phone: 651-523-2423 E-mail: multicultural@gw.hamline.edu

H amline University Theater this year presents a 1904 play titled The Cherry Orchard.  This was Russian play‐wright Anton Chekhov’s last play and was intended as a comedy but after his death, it was directed as a tragedy. The play tells the story of an aristocratic Russian woman and her family losing their estate contain‐ing a large and well‐known cherry orchard. The family has opportunities to save the estate but the family leaves to the sound of the cherry orchard being cut down. 

The Cherry OrchardThe Cherry OrchardThe Cherry Orchard

JOIN MISA FOR A

NIGHT AT THE

THEATRE (bring Kleenex!)

Friday November 9th Reception begins at the MISA house at 6:00pm Play begins at 7:30pm at

the Ann Simley Theater

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

MISA CALENDER 2007

1 MISA Midday Midway Bowling Meet at MISA, 1475 Hewitt 11:20 –12:50 PM

2 HASA's African Night Sundin Music Hall 7:00pm

6 HM Hmong Scrabble Klas Center Ballroom 6:00pm

6 HM Craft and Culture Night Student Center Ballroom 7:00pm

7 Career Development Dinner Law/Grad 106 5:30pm

8 This is My Story: Hmong Community Members

GLC 100E 11:30pm

9 MISA Night at the Theatre 1475 Hewitt (MISA) 6: 30pm

17 Hmong New Year Celebration Klas Center Ballroom 1:00pm-4:00pm,

28 Safe Zone Follow-Up Session: Trans-gender Issues

TBA 3:00pm

30 MISA Karaoke Night Student Center Hub 6:30pm

NOVEMBER

Multicultural and International Student Affairs  

Hamline University

1536 Hewitt Ave. #107 Saint Paul, MN 55104 651-523-2423 (phone)

651-523-2608 (fax)

“Supporting, Strengthening and Empowering Our Community”