Campus News

GC international students focus of JCLS

Event spotlighted 22 Garrett College students representing 12 nations

Tawana Mirira stirs Nyama, a stew from his native Zimbabwe, at last Wednesday’s “An Evening Abroad” in the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. The Joan Crawford Lecture Series event spotlighted Garrett College’s 22 international students.

All Joan Crawford Lecture Series presentations are informative.

Garrett College's latest JCLS was also quite tasty.

November's JCLS, which took place last Wednesday night in the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College, spotlighted GC's 22 international students. As part of the event, attendees were able to sample foods from the 12 countries represented in this year's international student group.

The PAC conference center was filled for the event, which was jointly coordinated by Director of Admissions and Recruitment Melissa Wass, Director of Institutional Compliance Shelley Menear, and Director of Human Resources Janis Bush. It built on an initial "Evening Abroad" event last spring.

"Events like this provide a platform for cultural exchange, allowing our students from different parts of the world to share their traditions, languages, food and perspectives with other members of our campus and the community," said Wass, who manages the admissions and onboarding of international students for the College.

Irish and Zimbabwean (Nyama) stews, Croquetas Espanolas, Austrian wiener schnitzel, and Australian meat pies were all on the menu. Attendees with a "sweet tooth" could try brigadeiro (Brazilian chocolate truffles) and Canadian butter tarts, with English tea to drink.

GFWC Civic Club of Oakland, the Oakland Rotary, and Deep Creek Baptist Church all financially supported the event as part of a Garrett College Foundation initiative. Local residents Vianne Bell and Karen Lauer, and Pittsburgh resident Linda Galiffa also played key roles in supporting the event.

Each student's table had a placard with a map of their nation along with "fun facts" about their home country. Just a sampling of those "fun facts" include:

• Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined.
• Halloween originated in Ireland.
• King Henry III had a pet polar bear he received from the King of Norway.
• Spanish is the world's second-most-spoken native language.
• Venezuela's culture is a blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous cultures.
• Zimbabwe has 16 languages.

Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president, said GC's international students "enrich our campus community as well as the community at large."

Midcap said the College's international student program – started decades ago under then-President Dr. Stephen Herman – became nearly non-existent during COVID.

"We've worked hard to rebuild our international program," said Midcap, crediting Wass and the College's intercollegiate athletics department with leading the effort. "We had 10 international students last spring, we have 22 this fall, and we expect to continue to grow the program next year."

"My favorite part of the evening was witnessing the meaningful interactions between our students and the community," said Wass. "It reaffirms what I already knew – this is an exceptional group of students, and seeing the joy they experience in sharing their cultures was truly heartwarming."

As part of the event, Garrett College women's soccer head coach Brandon Jackson served as "tour guide". He went from table to table interviewing the students, focusing on the challenges and rewards of being an international student.

Liberian Musulyn Pinney said leaving behind "families and loved ones" was initially "terrifying," but "has taught us a valuable lesson."

"These moments make us stronger," said Pinney, who is in her second year at the College. "I'm grateful for my decision to come here. I've made friendships that will last a lifetime."

Zimbabwean Tawana Mirira, said "he enjoyed the teachers and the classes," but there were some challenges in the transition.

"The thing I had to get used to was the snow," acknowledged Mirira.

Ring Kuol, of South Sudan, agreed.

"I definitely miss the heat," he said.

While Victoria Kovazh provided wiener schnitzel, she said that wasn't her favorite Austrian food.

"My Dad's company makes chocolate," said Kovazh, who works in her father's shop. "I don't care about the money – I just want the free chocolate."

The Joan Crawford Lecture Series honors dynamic educator Joan R. Crawford, who died in 2010 after serving the Garrett College community for 30 years in a variety of faculty and staff roles. JCLS presentations are offered free of charge, and the public and community members are invited to attend.

For more information, contact Stephanie Miller at stephanie.miller@garrettcollege.edu.