A word from the organizers...
The organizers of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2003 Celebration would like to thank everyone for their support.
We do hope to continue the celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on an annual basis at Boston College, but we can not do it without you. Please get involved.
If you are interested in serving on this committee, have questions, and/or if you have ideas for events, please contact Siu Ming Luie at 617-552-4803 or s.luie@bc.edu.
Thank you.
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Top (from left): Gloria Lee'03, Elaine Wong, Bottom (from left): Siu Ming Luie, Inés Maturana |
Boston College welcomed its first celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 2003. On April 2, over 30 members of the BC community attended the opening reception and a panel discussion at the Hovey House. Attendees enjoyed food representing various Asian ethnic cuisines. Moreover, they enjoyed each other’s company and learning from each other.
The evening began with opening remarks by Gloria Lee, ’03, representative of Asian Caucus. In her remarks, Gloria expressed her deep appreciation and joy in knowing that Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated before her departure from Boston College. She thanked all organizers and attendees for their support.
Following the opening remarks, Siu Ming Luie from the Office of AHANA Student Programs, began her introductions of the panelists. The panel discussion, titled “Pathway to Success: an Asian American Perspective,” was presented by Ms. Elaine Wong, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at Brandeis University, Mr. Long Nguyen, co-founder and Executive Director of Viet-AID, and Mr. David Tai-Wai Chang, chairman of the Steering Committee at the Asian American Civic Association and retired Sr. Vice President of R&D at Atmospheric and Environmental Research Inc.
The panelists started off with brief self-introductions. Panelists then shared their experience as Asian Americans living in the US. They talked about their turning points in life which led to their choice in profession and career. They discussed the importance of knowing their roots in order to fully appreciate and understand who they are.
Elaine candidly revealed that she did not find herself until she took a course at Stanford University about Asian American history in the US. Prior to enrolling in this course, Elaine had thought that only African-Americans had been oppressed: she did not know about the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act or Japanese-Americans Internment Camps during World War II. Long openly admitted that it took him some time, since his arrival in America as a refugee, to expand his horizons to see how issues of all groups are interrelated. Furthermore, in order to understand himself and his existence in the US, he must understand the culture and issues of others. David agrees with their points. He then added, as advice to all, “There are many opportunities in the US. Find them. Don’t let stereotypes dictate who you should be or what you should do. You can challenge the system.”
The evening closed after a Q&A session mediated by Tracy Pascua and Inés Maturana. Joy Yamamura from the Center for International Partnerships and Programs presented our panelists with a gift and again thanked them and all attendees for their participation and sharing in this celebration.
Pictures from the Opening Reception and Panel Discussion on April 2, 2003 in the Hovey House Library.
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Top: Guests help themselves to foods representing different Asian ethnic cuisines during the reception. |
Top: Panelist David Chang speaks with OASP Associate Director Inés Maturana and Terric Foong '04 during the reception. |
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| Top: Gloria Lee '03 representing Asian Caucus gives her opening remarks. | Top: Guests listen attentively as speakers share information about their experience during the panel discussion, "Pathway to Success: an Asian American perspective." |
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| Top: Panelist Elaine Wong of Brandeis University. | Top: Panelist Long Nguyen of Viet-AID. |
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| Top: Panelist David Chang of Asian American Civic Association. |
Top: Joy Yamamura of CIPP gives her closing remarks. |
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2003 Celebration
Schedule of Events
April 2 to April 29
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2003 Celebration is sponsored by the Office of AHANA Student Programs, Career Center, Center for International Partnerships and Programs, Asian Caucus: CSA, SEASA, KSA, PSBC, VNSA, TSA, JCBC, and SASA.
Wed., April 2, 6:00PM, Hovey House Library
Opening Reception to commemorate BC’s first celebration of Asian American Heritage Month. Hosted by the Office of AHANA Student Programs, Career Center, CIPP, et al.
Wed., April 2, 6:30PM, Hovey House Library
Pathway to Success: An Asian American Perspective - a panel of Asian American professionals share their experience and insights as Asian Americans living in America working in their respective fields. Hosted by the Office of AHANA Student Programs, Career Center, CIPP.
Thurs., April 3, 7:00PM, Merkert 127
Film feature: “Game of their Lives”, an amazing documentary made by a British man named Daniel Gordon on the 1966 World Cup in which North Korea made the quarter finals. Hosted by the Korean Students’ Association.
Fri., April 5, 6:30pm, Cabaret Room
South East Asian Students’ Association, Vietnamese Students’ Association, and the Thai Students’ Association are holding their Annual Culture Show!
Thurs., April 10, 7:00PM, Cabaret Room
True Colors Night: Open mic night for individuals to recite or listen to poetry, listen to musical performances, and the distribution for this year’s addition of True Colors- BC’s Asian American Art Literary Magazine. Hosted by the Asian Caucus.
Sat., April 12, 8:00PM, Tremont Hotel
Boston Korean Intercollegiate Council is its first formal, “Tomorrow’s Hope” Benefit/Gala. Culture & Fashion Show, art exhibition by North Korean refugees, afterparty in the Hotel to follow! Tickets $25. Contact Sunny Lee at leehr@bc.edu. Proceeds go to the Eugene Bell Foundation for North Korea.
Fri., April 18
The nationwide release of “Better Luck Tomorrow”, the first all Asian American produced and cast film, bought by MTV. Watch it and show your Asian American support!
Wed., April 23, 7:00PM, Higgins 300
A forum on Asian Americans in the media, along with the video making of “Better Luck Tomorrow.” Hosted by the Chinese Students’ Association and Asian Caucus.
Tues., April 29, 7:00PM, Heights Room
The 2nd Annual Asian American Scholarship Banquet. A night of transition between the old and new officers of each Asian culture club, the recognition of the Scholarship winner, and the closing to the Asian American Heritage Month. Hosted by the Asian Caucus.