University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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nor 3n [ obruaiN 2005 more thd ,200 people cele rated cultures r o u n h e ' o r I d I Global II 1 t 11 r e light at [ o r t o n uditorium. This rogram was a true ?lebration of diversity at UNA. The erformers were from different coun- ies and a variety of cultural back- rounds. The program commenced with pening remarks by UNA President illiam Cale Jr., who said he appreci- :ed the initiative of bringing diversi- ' to campus. Then, for the first time I the history of the Shoals area, the )ur mayors of the Quad Cities gath- ■ed together to light the ceremonial mp. The performances included a Prabhat, Shabdam, Garba and Dandiya, African-American dance, gospel hip-hop, poetry readings, acoustic bluegrass, Celtic and Irish tunes, the UNA Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Mexican, Bulgarian, Canadian, Spanish and Japanese song and dance, a Shimauta, piano perfor- mance, Korean art and folk music, praise dancing by First Missionary Baptist Church and Car Wash by the fourth graders of Riverhill School. The attire of the performers was tra- ditional as well as captivating. Worid Cagri Bagcioglu, director of International Student Services, gave the International Alumni of the Year Award to Ahmed Sabbarini for his excellent academic achievement in MBA. The Shoals Diversity Council recog- nized John Humes for his out- standing community service. According to Dr. Santanu Borah, program coordinator and founder of Global Cultural Night, it is the only program in Shoals area in which people from all over the world come together to per- form on one common platform. This type of event should con- tinue every year, said Tracy Andrews from Tuscumbia. We know about ballet, tap and jazz, but this blend of presentation is something very unique and out- standing. The sponsors for this event were International Student Services, Shoals India and South Asian Association, Shoals Diversity Council, Shoals Friends of WQPR, Office of University Council, Sodexho Campus Services and University Program Council. The celebration continued with food and more entertainment at the GUC Performance Center. — Isha Acharya PURE ELEGANCE. American bal- lerinas show their paces on stage in the GCN performance. 15

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wm ' ■ immPtt»«m STEPPIN ' STONES. Two young members of the Steppin ' Stones Praise Team (above) perform a dance. CHOP IT LIKE IT ' S HOT. Junya Matsuno (right) represents Japan with an authentic cultural dance. • ! V i CULTURAL PERFORMANCE. Raina Sarmah (above) performs for the Global Culture Night audi- ence. In most cultures around the world, dance is a large part of heritage that is passed down through the generations. THE REAL THING. Hydjeren Rahimi ' s authentic clothing and dance (right) fascinate the crowd. Traditional dresses are usually hand-made and bejeweled. They are usually made of highly expen- sive fabrics that represent their special use.

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ve Ensler ' s play Tlie Vagina Monologues was -(presented in 2005 for the first time at UNA. The Monologues were performed Feb. 16-17 I in the GUC Performance Center. The play was sponsored by Panhellenic and UNA Women ' s Studies in coordination with the V- Day College Campaign. V-Day is a global movement, created by Ensler and inspired by The Vagina Monologues, to stop violence against women and girls. The move- ment aids anti-violence organizations throughout the world. The local beneficiary for the UNA per- formance was Rape Response of Florence. The cast for The Vagina Monologues included I Katie Smith, Mary Katherine Rowe, Shana ;-fS Crumbough, Sharla Beth Ayers, Grace Simpson, Christine Fink, Rebekah Smith, Kathy Connolly, Leslie Burch, Jessica Cabler, Rhonda Newman, Nancy Atkinson, Shenique Monique Milton, Bliss Bowman, Candace Herron, Judith Rausch, Heidi