April 09, 2024
La Roche University’s GLOBE Fest to Celebrate Cultural Diversity April 18
PITTSBURGH, April 9, 2024 – A student-organized event at La Roche University will explore culture through fashion, music, food and crafts on Thursday, April 18.
GLOBE Fest will kick off with a preshow offering food, activities and crafts at 5:30 p.m., and the main event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Kerr Fitness & Sports Center at La Roche’s campus in the North Hills. The event will highlight music, dance and fashions from around the world, including the Middle East, Asia, Africa and India, performed by members of the La Roche community.
“The aspect I love most about organizing and hosting GLOBE Fest is that a strong community forms in the process,” said GLOBE President Samuella Sesay, a junior majoring in biology at La Roche. “It warms my heart to work with the team to put things in place, and to see students come together and support each other with an eagerness to share their culture. Friendships are built that last a lifetime!”
Sponsored by GLOBE (Globalization for La Roche University, One Beat on Earth) and the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the event is free and open to the public.
Students who organize the event are responsible for coordinating models, performers and crew members, promoting the event, collecting outfits and donations, setting up the venue and arranging rehearsals.
“From organizing the event to singing, dancing, modeling and emceeing the show, I get to see a different side of students that I don’t see during our usual interactions around campus,” said Sarah White, chief diversity officer and executive director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “I love that so many students are willing to share their talents, customs, cultures and identities with the campus community in celebration of global diversity.”
GLOBE is an organization committed to highlighting and celebrating the cultures and traditions of members of the La Roche community. GLOBE provides opportunity for cross-cultural dialogue and global topic exploration through educational and social programming and service. The organization serves as a place where international and domestic students can share their experiences, express their concerns and find a sense of belonging. The student organization was founded at La Roche in 2000 and began hosting an annual fashion show in 2001.
The Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is committed to creating and sustaining a welcoming and inclusive environment that embraces diversity and encourages dialogue across differences to increase individual intercultural competence. The office is responsible for overseeing the development of a strategic diversity and inclusion plan that draws upon partnerships with various University departments to address areas of education, training, advocacy and policy.
The Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion also engages and supports students through transformative experiences that enhance student learning, positively impact retention, and promote peace and justice in a constantly changing global society.
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About La Roche University: A private liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 68 undergraduate programs of study, seven master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, nursing, and health and medical sciences as well as interior architecture & design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for women and men enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.