Celebrating Cultural Diversity

Students and faculty can play a major role in celebrating and accepting diversity at Lyndon State College, according to psychology professor Lori Werdenschlag.

"Just because the Northeast Kingdom does not have a lot of diversity does not mean that Lyndon can't appreciate it," said Werdenschlag, founder of the Cultural Festival at LSC.

"Many other college campuses around the country offer a variety of cultural experiences.  Just because Lyndon is small doesn't mean we can't offer the same things that other universities provide," she said.

The 16th annual Cultural Festival will be held from March 6 to the 18 here on the LSC Campus and is a great way for students and faculty to celebrate diversity and enjoy what different cultures have to offer. 

Many different student and faculty groups from around campus and even surrounding high schools will hold supporting events or activities for people to take advantage of. 

Students from LSC and St. Johnsbury Academy's ESL programs will be holding the fifth annual "Kidz World" which invites young children from around the area to come and experience other cultures through games, snacks, activities and interactive displays. 

Janet Bennion, professor of anthropology will present "The Celts of France: Myth, Music and Culture" on March 14 at 3 p.m.  This presentation will focus on two Gaulois settlements that gave rise to stories about the Legend of Arthur and the Cathar heresy: Brittany and the Languedoc culture of Midi-Pyrenees.  Food and music will be sampled during the presentation. 

During the St. Patrick's Day Concert on March 15 beginning at noon "Wearing o' the Green" will be encouraged.  This concert features a wide range of Celtic music, both vocal and instrumental put on by Professor Emeritus Ralph Aldrich.  The concert can be seen in the Alexander Twilight Theater. 

That same evening at 7 p.m. in the Alexander Twilight Theater, Vermont's own 40th Army Band will perform. The band, made up of members of Vermont's Army National Guard, will perform selections from John Williams, Johann Strauss and Clare Grundman. 

All the events during the Cultural Festival are free to attend, and open to the public, so are not limited to just student and faculty of LSC. 

Werdenschlag has been working hard to bring this festival to the LSC campus since its creation, and believes that with continued presence, it can truly make a difference.

"While many faculty, staff and administrators already appreciate the cultural activities, it's students who I'm really targeting with many of these events.  I want students to get excited about trying new things.  If students discover how worthwhile it is to try something cultural once while in college, then they're more likely to try it again. And when they graduate from college, they will discover they have so many more options of things to see and do when they're looking for entertainment."