University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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fter diligently rehears- ing for weeks, members of UAAO perform funky moves on stage at the Power Center. This mod- ern multi-cultural dance served as the finale for the Generation Asian Pacific American Show. photo courtesy of Rahul Shah photo courtesy of Rahul Shah 2 efore entering the Midwest Asian American Student Union confer- ence, students wait in line for registration. The MAASU conference en- abled Asian American students from all over the country to unite and to discuss important cul- tural issues. photo courtesy of Rahul Shah PROMOTEASIANCULTURE United Asian American Organizations (UAAO) was a committee comprised of 21 separate Asian Pacific American (APA) organizations on cam- pus, which served to provide structure and a means of communication within the Asian Ameri- can community at the University. One of the members of UAAO, the Alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority, was established at the University in 1995 and continued to grow. Nidhi Jajoo, a senior communications major and mem- ber of the sorority commented, K D Phi promotes scholarship, leadership, and community service within the University and throughout Detroit. As the only national Asian Pacific American so- rority on campus, this year a special emphasis was placed on community service. Lambda Phi Epsi- lon, the only national Asian American fraternity at the University, was committed to service projects this year, as well. On October 30, the Chinese Student Associa- tion coordinated their first ever Dragonfest, which was a market of Chinese cultural events including ethnic dances, raffles, and prizes. We really want to emphasize diversity in the organization. Dragonfest is for everyone, not just Chinese stu- dents, and its purpose is to educate and promote Chinese culture, said sophomore vice president Jenny Chen. This year was unique for the Viet- namese Student Association, as well, in light of the first ever Midwest Vietnamese Students Con- ference which was held in Ann Arbor in March. The Indian American Student Association (IASA) held their annual Cultural Show the first weekend in November at Hill Auditorium. The Cultural Show, which consisted of numerous eth- nic dances, some skits, and even a fashion show, was so popular that tickets sold out in just a few days. IASA held other events throughout the year, including the second annual Gandhi Day of Service. IASA president and political science and economics major Ankim Shah commented, This year the Gandhi Day of Service was open to the public and the idea was to make it more of a campus event rather than just an IASA event. UAAO annual events and programs this year included the APA 101 Mentorship Program, Gen- eration APA Cultural Show, APA Heritage Month, and the Yuri Kochiyama Awards class for APA high school students. President Rahul Shah said, UAAO strives to create a unified Asian Pacific American community through activism, pride, and awareness. by Cathy Schulze Organizations 34 1

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sian American Association photo courtesy of McGrath Studios Front Row: Li-Yung Chang, Connie Cheung, Roger Toguchi, Richard Wong, Ada Mok, Teresa Kuo, Tak-Sze Wong ilipino American Student Association Virginia Hiltz Front Row: Diana Capul, Lynn Chen, Maria De Leon, Eleanor De Leon, Jennifer Llanto, Connie Cheung Row 2: Jeanette Cruz, Sydney Moy, Donna Cortes, Annalisa Ambrosio, Jillian Etcubanez, Mara Luna Row 3: Chris Lum, Alvin Borlaza, Ariel Ponce, Michael Antiporta, Paolo Aquino, Robert Casten, Jason Aragones, Evert Tan I nited Asian American Organization photo courtesy of McGrath Studios Front Row: Andrew Suh, Stephen Tan, Erick Moy, Suzan Song, Suki Kuang, Michelle Su, Keslie Hui Row 2: Rahul Shah, Phaythoune Chothmounethinh, Ada Mok, Nam Tran, Jane Yang, Kim Pham, Rupal Patel, Kahala Ogata Row 3: Dina Patel, Ronnie Rhoe, Mara Luna, Sejal Patel, Nidhi Jajoo, Asheesh Gupta, Heh Shin Kwak, Moua Lee, Maria De Leon Row 4: Henry Kuo, Roger Toguchi, Ha-Hoa Dang, Mu-Fan Mabel Huang, Charles Wang, Qi-Jenny Chen, Vikram Sarma, Ankim Shah, Eddie Song, Ed Cho, Khoa Nguyen y omen of the Korean Student Association dis- play their heritage as they perform a traditional Ko- rean fan dance. KSA was among the many groups that participated in the Generation Asian Pacific American Cultural Show. I hai Students Association Heather Caddell Front Row: Isriya Nitithanprapas, Benita Chang, Piradee Talvanna, Srivitta Kengskool, Amy Kule, Pamela Wong Row 2: Chotirat Komaradat, Phaythoune Chothmounethinh, Ittichot Damrongraktam, Isra Wongsarnpigoon, Patrick Supanwanid, Taweewat Srisumrid, Petaja Downyok, Khamtanh Vannouvong 340 UAAO

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( hris Wilson, Aric Mutchnick, Brian Goodman, and Mindy Raf perform the Greek Chorusact for The Comedy Company ' s sketch on stage. The Comedy Company encouraged audience participation and once they received cues from the audience, they improvised the next act. . photo courtesy of Jill Kleiman [ he Comedy Company cast takes a few seconds to take a picture backstage before their first performance. The group was always goofing off an d having fun, even if they were not performing. Sponsoring a Variety of The University Activities Center (UAC) was located on the fourth floor of the Michigan Union and was the largest student-run organization in the University. The University Activities Center had fifteen different committees and served as the umbrella organization for many important University organizations. Kelly Karpinski, the president and official spokesperson for the UAC, said, The goal of the University Activities Center is to serve each student on campus. We gear towards all different kinds of students. The activities sponsored by the UAC included the Amazin ' Blue a cappella group, which recorded CDs and toured the country. UAC also sponsored Comedy Night, which included a University-style Saturday Night Live that was written and directed by students. The Michigan Pops Orchestra was also sponsored by UAC and was the only student-run, student-directed orchestra in Ann Arbor. Voices magazine was a UAC publication that served to keep students informed about upcoming activities. UAC also sponsored MUSKET, a student-produced musical theatre group that staged two productions at the Power Center. For the student searching for laughs, UAC also sponsored Laughtrack, a stand up comedy group, and The Rude Mechanicals, which presented a Shakespeare play in the fall and a contemporary play in the spring. For the serious academic, UAC sponsored the Michigan Academic Competition, which held trivia quiz competi- tions for University and high school students. The UAC also sponsored seasonal events that most University students remembered and recognized, including mini-courses, the State Street Poetry Project, and Michigras, the University ' s ever-popular version of Mardi-Gras. The UAC provided many fun and exciting events for University students and the broad range of activities it offered ensured that all types of students could participate. Without the UAC, the University would not have had the same festive atmosphere and would not have provided as many educational and recreational activities. In addition to providing opportunities for students, the UAC also offered fun and fulfilling jobs to Ann Arbor residents. University Activity Center secretary Mary Kisor said, It ' s a great place to work. I love the students, they ' re wonderful! by Karen McQuade 342 University Activities Center A photo courtesy of Charles Wang member of the Lion Dance Troupe sits on the ground and shows off the exotic cos- tume at the Dragon Fest ' 98. After hours of dancing at the cultural festival in the heavy costume, this member needed some time to relax before the next performance.