Students Ready for Step Afrika! and Cultural Connect Welcome Week Activities

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University students will immerse themselves in a variety of campus activities next week as they observe Cultural Connect Welcome Week 2014.

The week of special activities is presented by the Multicultural Center, the International Program, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Black Students Association.

Highlights of the week include Step Afrika! on Tuesday, Fall Explosion on Wednesday, the Best Steppers show on Thursday, and the NHPC party on Friday.

Step Afrika!

Step Afrika!, a professional African-American dance company that demonstrates the art of stepping, will perform at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Riceland Hall in Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr.  The group's presentation, co-sponsored by the Student Activities Board and the Multicultural Center, is free to the public.

"It's really exciting that Step Afrika! will be on campus," commented Dakota Galban of Searcy, a business administration major who is event organizer and SAB issues and awareness director.  "I know it's been a long time coming to get them here. It's going to be a great performance by a world renowned dance team."

The Washington, D.C.,-based group promotes " . . . an appreciation for stepping and its use as an educational, motivational and healthy tool for young people."

"I’m really excited about seeing Step Afrika! during Cultural Connect Welcome Week," added Faunia Unnold of Jonesboro, a Multicultural Center ambassador and world languages major.  "I heard they have a lot of talent and have toured all over the world."

Fall Explosion

The "Fall Explosion" will be Wednesday, Sept. 10, starting at 5:30 p.m. on the Heritage Plaza lawn on the east side of the Reng Student Union.  This event features a minority and international student organization fair and performances.

"I’m looking forward to everyone coming together to learn about each other and other cultures outside of their own," said Adeeja Anderson of Little Rock, also a Multicultural Center ambassador and creative media production major.

NPHC Best Steppers

The National Pan-Hellenic Council Best Steppers show will start at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Nettleton Performing Arts Center.  NPHC members will compete for the title of "best steppers on the yard."  Advance pre-sale tickets are $7 and include admission into both the show and party; admission is $5 at the door.  Members of NPHC organizations have pre-sale tickets available. 

The Cultural Connect Welcome Week will conclude Friday, Sept. 12, with the NPHC party, open to all current Arkansas State University students, from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. at the Military Science Building (Armory).  Without a pre-sale ticket, the cost of party admission is $5 at the door.

Interested individuals may obtain more details about Cultural Connect Welcome Week by contacting the Multicultural Center in the Reng Student Union, (870) 680-4052, or astatemc@astate.edu.

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