LETTERS: THANKS FOR INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND

To the editor:

I want to thank the people who supported the recent International Weekend at Southeast Missouri State University. International Night, held Nov. 14, was a beautiful experience. An estimated 320 people attended the evening's events and enjoyed free samplings of food from Algeria, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Holland, India, Japan, Kenya and Sweden. At the same time, they enjoyed entertainment in the form of a dance from the Brittany region of France, light Indian classical-popular music and a fashion show of traditional dress from around the world.

All of this was free and open to the public. We have to thank Student Government and Southeast What's on Weekends as well as the School of Continuing Education and the College of Science and Technology for their financial support for the program. Moreover, we need to thank Franklin Elementary School and Central High School for notifying their faculty and encouraging their students to attend the events. We must express appreciation to the staff of the University Center for its kind cooperation in helping with all the arrangements and providing sound. Also, Sodexho Dining Service deserves thanks for providing chafing dishes, ice and serving utensils.

But all would have been in vain if it were not for the hard work of the students who planned all aspects of the event, shopped for hard-to-get ingredients, spent time cooking for hundreds of people each and provided beautiful displays and entertainment -- all out of the kindness of their hearts. These students are not compensated in any way for this effort except by the gratitude of the people who get to experience something of their cultures. The regulars on the International Student Activities Council planning committee -- Swathi Raghavan, president; Nadege Leberriais, treasurer; Andrea Minke, budget; Dorothy Phukan, educational connections and entertainment; Margaret Hyams, food preparation; and Melanie Rusk, publicity -- are to be congratulated for this success.

Not to be forgotten are the other events: the World Beat Party and the Global Soccer Tournament. These events respectively rounded out the exciting International weekend. In particular, the organizers of the Global Soccer Tournament, Karine Provot and Thierry Vivier, should be recognized for the smooth and fun way in which the tournament was carried out.

All this was done while at the same time ISAC was spearheading a drive to collect items for the survivors of Hurricane Mitch in Central America. The students went way above the call of duty and collected many items, and for that we owe a debt of thanks to those who opened up their hearts and gave so generously. Melanie Rusk, Swathi Raghavan, Dorothy Phukan and Claudia Flores staffed the collection table in the University Center and helped educate visitors to the center about the devastation in Central America.

I hops those who attended International Weekend events enjoyed them and will continue to support international students and their activities at Southeast. They will have the opportunity to do just that during International Festival scheduled for April 10-17. Watcher for further announcements with more complete details, but just to entice, so far the week includes the annual International Carnival as well as an international commerce panel discussion, a presentation on connecting with international and federal agencies, "The Politics of First and Second Languages" guest speaker Dr. Kim Brown of Portland State University, International Student Regional Day Celebrations (Africa Day, Asia and Oceania Day, Europe Day and Day of the Americas) and many other events. I hope we can count on seeing you there.

Thank you, Cape Girardeau, for being an internationally minded city.

GEORGE ERIC DORDONI, Assistant Director

Learning Enrichment Center

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau