The sounds of stomping and singing made the PMAC pound with energy Wednesday night.
Harambee, which means “coming together” in Swahili, was sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the African-American Cultural Center and the Union Program Council.
The annual program was held in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. It is organized every fall to welcome new and returning students to campus, said Curtis Parker, coordinator of cross-cultural affairs for the OMA.
“It also gives student organizations a chance to show off and the University to shine,” Parker said.
The event’s keynote speaker was Ericka Dunlap, 2004 Miss America. Dunlap was the sixth black Miss America.
Dunlap spoke about her role as one of the few black Miss Americas.
Despite continued racial tensions throughout the nation, progress is being made to eradicate racism, she said.
“There is something right that is going on in our country,” Dunlap said. “Things are changing, and things are moving forward.”
Many young people struggle with acceptance. A willingness to accept others is the most important part of life, Dunlap said.
“The important thing that makes diversity work is an open mind, and a ready attitude, to be able to accept different cultures, to accept different people,” Dunlap said.
Action must be taken to address and change issues affecting students, Dunlap said.
“You’ll never change what you tolerate,” she said.
Dunlap warned students in attendance to take advantage of their education and think about how their actions will affect future generations.
“This is not time for you to waste,” she said. “This is not just time for you to have fun.”
Katrice Albert, vice provost for Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach, stressed the importance of racial harmony among students.
“In your own way, no matter how big or small, do your own part to support racial understanding,” Albert said.
Also included in the program were dance performances by the African Student Organization and the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Dance Ensemble. National Pan-Hellenic Council Unity Step Program performed a step show. Dancers in the Step Program wore shirts with their fraternity and sorority letters.
Between performances, members of black fraternities and sororities stood up and danced choreographed routines to music.
Freshman Theodore Williams III was awarded the Rising Star Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who show academic promise and leadership capabilities.
Some students were impressed by the events.
“The culture of the whole thing was great,” said Whitley McCoy, political science sophomore. “It was great to see everyone come together.”
—-Contact Nanci Velez at [email protected]