University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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PHOTOS | Adams Pryor DESIGN | Taylor Little STORY | Troy-Ann Mott 26 AUTUMN

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PHOTOS | Meleah Perez DESIGN | Fitz Grant STORY | Mellie Grant As students look back on the holidays, some may think dbout about Thanksgiving or Christmas, but others reminisce about the UofA’s celebration of Diwali. In its 48th year. Friends of India celebrated Diwali at the Fayetteville High School auditorium on Nov. 21, 2015. Diwali, or the festival of lights, celebrates light overcoming darkness, said Jayesh Trivedi, a Diwali attendee. The event, equipped with dancers and performances, was free to all students, Trivedi said. Around 500 people came to celebrate Diwali, including some from diverse corners of India, as well as people from the surrounding area, he said. Trivedi said when he lived at home, the first day of Diwali meant lighting diyas. Diyas are oil lamps, usually made from clay, used as lighting for special occasions, namely Diwali. Trivedi said people celebrate by feasting, lighting firecrackers and visiting each other’s houses. Nations around the world, including Malaysia, India and Fiji, celebrate Diwali across multiple religions. Diwali is significant to different religions and geographic areas in different ways. According to the National Geographic website, it commemorates Lord Rama’s return to the kingdom after the 14 years of exile. Others celebrate Diwali as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, according to the website. Another story behind Diwali is when Lord Vishnu sent the demon, King Bali, to rule the underworld, according to the site. Despite the differences in how people perceive Diwali, a single thread that runs through each story is that good trumps evil. The second day of Diwali was for being social, gathering Friends of India will plan for Diwali celebrations in a t houses and lighting fireworks, Trivedi said. more years to come with hopes of getting more people involved for international students, Trivedi said. While there is a religious story associated with Diwali, DIWALI CELEBRATION 25

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ane B. Gearhart, wife of former University of Arkansas c ancellor, David Gearhart, was honored on Friday, Oct. 23 as e Llnivers itys Full Circle Campus Food Pantry was renamed 10 reco gnition of her commitment to tackling food insecurity. e campus food pantry was established by the Volunteer ction Center in 2011 as a student-run emergency food assistance program that distributes food and toiletries to members ol the UA community. In 2012, the food pantry was o f °- ed as a finalist for the White House Campus Champions ange Challenge, a program introduced by President arack Obama with the intention of inspiring individuals to 6 ln volved in their communities. P Urai § the dedication for the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle no Pantry, Chris Wyrick, Vice Chancellor for University . ancern ent, described the dedication as a “wonderful way ionor one of the loveliest and big-hearted people.” Full r 0m ' n UeZ ’ s u fi en an d chair of the Jane B. Gearhart ircle Campus Food Pantry Committee, also spoke about § ie food pantry as a way to serve her community and m ake a tangible impact. iscussion of starting a food pantry began in 2010 and opened our doors in February 2011,” Dominguez said. “We Now 6 0n serv ing twelve students in the first month, w we serve over three hundred individuals per week.” The Full Circle Food Pantry was the first campus food pantry established in the SEC. Approximately 400 UA employees received wages below the poverty line, and 8,600 students were receiving need-based financial aid. The food pantry sought to solve this by providing food assistance to students, staff, and faculty twice a week while also promoting nutrition and unity. Gearhart first learned about the food pantry during a meeting in October of 2010 when students were speaking of the need for an on-campus food resource. She recalled how students and staff members spoke of buying boxed foods with their own money in order to discretely feed those across campus who did not have the funds for something to eat. “That set the tone for the entire pantry program—one of compassion, dignity, and character,” Gearhart said. And while the food pantry is student-run, it could not have come to fruition without the help and support of Gearhart. “Jane is truly the champion,” said Claire Allison, Program Coordinator for the Center for Community Engagement. “When students wanted to start the pantry, Jane took that idea and ran with it and provided the actual space that the pantry is in. She has continually helped us to clear roadblocks and find friends to make this program a success.” 27