Tennessee State University News October 12, 2012 New Multicultural Center Celebrates Global Awareness, TSU Student, Faculty Diversity Calling it a welcoming place for students from all over the world, TSU President Portia Holmes Shields today dedicated a multicultural center on the main campus of the University. The 4,738-square-foot facility, located in Goodwill Manor, originally the residence of the first President of TSU, was planned and designed by the University's Facilities Management Department. It took about three months from design to completion, at a cost of approximately $58,000 provided by Title III. Artifacts, reading materials and items representing different cultures and traditions of the world were donated by the President, staff and students of the University, according to Dr. Jewell Winn, TSU's Chief Diversity Officer. The Center, which occupies the two main floors of the building, also includes reading, training and display areas, as well as offices. Upon entering the Center visitors are immediately welcomed to a display of flags representing nations of the world, and clocks showing the various times of the day in other parts of the world. "This Center provides an opportunity for students from different parts of the world and cultures to engage each other as a way of sharing ideas and learning about their different practices and traditions," Dr. Shields said, as she cut the ribbon to the University's first facility solely dedicated to TSU's cultural diversity. The dedication included cultural performances and dances, with special appearance by the visiting high-energy group Explosión Negra, with their Afro-Colombian music blended with hip-hop and dancehall. Explosión Negra, from Medellin, Columbia, is visiting TSU as part of a week-long tour, sponsored by the Office of Diversity and International Affairs, Music Department, the Department of Languages, Literature and Philosophy, and Department of History, Geography and Political Science. Also performing was the very colorful Destellou Colturales of Nashville, Tenn., with their blend of music and dances representing different traditions in Mexico. "This center celebrates the great diversity of our student and faculty population," Shields said, adding that TSU, with students from 33 different countries, was one of the most diverse of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) schools. "This also enhances our effort toward globalization and exposing our students to more study-abroad opportunities as they get to know more about the outside world," Shields said. In closing, Dr. Winn thanked the administrators, faculty, students and staff "for supporting our effort" in bringing the Center to fruition. "Now our students have a place they can call 'my second home,'" Dr. Winn said. Joining TSU administrators, faculty and staff at the dedication was Wendy Thompson, TBR Vice Chancellor for Access and Diversity. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.