Troy University will focus attention on the importance of international education next week with a series of events and activities highlighted by the dedication of the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park and International Arts Center on the Troy Campus on Nov. 4.
Known as Alabama’s International University, TROY serves nearly 1,200 international students, is home to Alabama’s only Confucius Institute with a statewide mission and has a growing study abroad program that annually provides students with opportunities to immerse themselves in other cultures around the world.
“The week-long series of events provides Troy University an opportunity to share its unique international initiatives with faculty, students, staff and the general community,” said Darlene Schmurr-Stewart, dean of international student services. “We want to bring a special focus to global concerns, campus cross-cultural talents and resources, study abroad opportunities and international academic opportunities.”
The new Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park includes several prominent art installations, including “Violata Pax Colombe,” by internationally acclaimed artist Nall and 200 replica terracotta warriors created by artist Hou Bao Zhu, representing the famous excavations in Xi’an, China. The park also includes the new International Arts Center, located inside the renovated former Stewart Hall. The dedication ceremony and concert will be held in the park’s amphitheater at 4 p.m., Nov. 4.
Another highlight of International Education Week on the Troy Campus is the annual International Student Cultural Organization’s annual festival, which will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, in the Trojan Center Ballrooms. The event features international cuisine and performances by TROY’s international students. Tickets are $10 for ISCO members, $12 for students and $15 for non-students, and are available through the International Office, located on the ground floor of Hawkins Hall.
The week’s activities will also include a basketball exhibition game featuring a traveling international women’s team at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in Trojan Arena.
Other activities during the week include: an international soccer tournament at 10 a.m., Sunday on the Band Practice Field; a presentation on “Internationals in the American Workplace” at 10 a.m. on Monday in room 202 of Bibb Graves Hall; Troy Rotary Club’s International Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Sartain Hall; the presentation “Polish, Hungarian and Suez Crises of 1956: 60 Years On” at 1 p.m. on Tuesday in the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor; an International Bazaar at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday on the Social Quad; a cricket demonstration at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Troy Rec Center; and, the annual Parade of Flags featuring students from each country represented at the University during pre-game festivities on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Troy University will focus attention on the importance of international education next week with a series of events and activities highlighted by the dedication of the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park and International Arts Center on the Troy Campus on Nov. 4.
