Multicultural Student Center to host annual celebration

On Friday, Sept. 2, the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Multicultural Student Center will sponsor the 30th annual Multicultural Orientation Reception celebration to showcase the multicultural experience with a variety of performances, an academic and multicultural student organization resource fair, reception and dance.

Free and open to the public, the events will be held from 5:30-10 p.m. in the Wisconsin Union Theater and Great Hall of Memorial Union and from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Overture Center for the Arts.

The events are designed to foster a welcoming community by bringing together new and continuing students of color and providing resources all to enhance university community connections.

Additionally, the reception will introduce students to a host of academic, support and cultural resources that are available at UW–Madison.

The sponsor of the events, the Multicultural Student Center, has been committed to providing academic and cultural resources and co-curricular activities that are essential in supporting the holistic development of students of color as they strive toward the achievement of educational goals.

Scheduled events include:

• 5:30-6 p.m., Academic and Support Resource Fair, Union Theater Lobby. Students will receive information about academic and support services available on campus and meet staff members representing a variety of resources.
• 6:30-8:30 p.m., Multicultural Performance Showcase, Wisconsin Union Theater. This is an evening of performances, cultural dances and music reflective of various cultural traditions and experiences. Scheduled performances include University Gospel Choir, Filipino Student Association, Rhythm Per Second, African Students Association, UW School of Bhangra and a featured performance by First Wave scholar Danez Smith.
• 8:30-10 p.m., Reception and Multicultural Student Organization Fair, Great Hall. Students will have opportunities for meeting new and continuing students, socializing and networking with faculty and staff while being introduced to a number of multicultural student organizations and enjoying food catered by the Wisconsin Union.
• 10 p.m.-1 a.m., The Throwback Dance, Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St. Students are invited to dance the night away to hits from the 1980s and 1990s. Era attire is encouraged. DJ K.I.S.S. will provide music for the evening. Co-sponsored by the Center for the First-Year Experience, the dance is also an integral part of the Night at the Overture welcome event for new students.

Bus transport will be available between the Union and the Overture Center at 10-10:15 p.m. Following the dance, bus transport will go only to the lakeshore area. SafeWalk escorts will be available before and after the dance.