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²ÝݮӰÊÓ Hosts First Chicago Cultural Expo

Traditional African drumming was among the performances at the Chicago Cultural Expo.

Event draws students, faculty, and staff to learn about Chicago's diverse cultures

CHICAGO (September 25, 2012) — ²ÝݮӰÊÓ hosted the first-ever September 21, which featured exhibitors from about 20 members of the . The Alliance, representing 30 international communities throughout Chicago, promotes cultural understanding and provides resources for government, museums, libraries, universities, businesses, and other educational and cultural institutions.

The expo is a continuation of the University's relationship with the Chicago Cultural Alliance, said , ²ÝݮӰÊÓ provost, speaking on behalf of , University president. The expo fits with the University's , especially its continuing emphasis on being a "purposefully multicultural" institution that celebrates global cultures and lives out the reconciling mandate of the Christian gospel, Jones said. "We look forward to people from throughout the Chicago community visiting ²ÝݮӰÊÓ," he added.

"We are excited to do this with ²ÝݮӰÊÓ as a partner organization," said , Alliance executive director. Of the 20 "core members" represented at the expo, "each tells an important story about Chicago's cultural communities," she said.

A steady stream of students, faculty and staff conversed with exhibitors in the ²ÝݮӰÊÓ Gymnasium, said , dean of the and executive director of the University's . Attendees learned about exhibitors' native countries, their cultural contributions to the people of Chicago, internships, service-learning opportunities, study visits, and research possibilities. Expo performances included traditional African and Japanese Taiko drumming, Chinese strings music, German pop rock, and Indian and Cambodian dancers.

²ÝݮӰÊÓ is an Alliance partner organization and expo sponsor.

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