South Dakota
School of Mines to host annual Cultural Expo
RAPID CITY, S.D. — This weekend, the School of Mines will host the annual Cultural Expo – a chance to learn more about different cultures around the world.
South Dakota Mines is preparing for the annual Cultural Expo, a popular event that highlights different cultures brought to Mines by international students.
The event has a long history at the university, organizers learned from a yearbook that the first expo at Mines was held in 1963.
“We had a large group of international students here at that time, and they wanted to do something to celebrate their home cultures, and so they all got together and cooked food and basically did the same things that we’re doing on Saturday,” said Suzi Aadland, Specialist at Ivanhoe International Center, School of Mines.
On Thursday, hundreds of K-12 students were invited for the student version of the expo and participated in educational activities, crafts and storytelling.
“I think it was fun and cool and very interesting,” said Micah, from Bethesda Lutheran School.
“In lots of places, there are really cool valleys and mountains, and there’s different cultures and festivals and foods,” added Kaydence, also from Bethesda Lutheran School.
The public is invited to attend the cultural expo on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Beck Ballroom in the Surbeck Center.
This year’s expo will bring unique perspectives from nine countries and dozens of international students. Students will bring their traditions and lifestyles, food, traditional music, events, dancing, and much more to the event.
“A lot of a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to travel around the world, but they want to learn about the world,” Aadland said. “And so this is a great place to come to the world in your backyard. And so come to the School of Mines, and you can learn about other cultures. You can see some of the things that they have. It’s just a great opportunity to learn a little bit, just a little bit about another culture.”
Doors will be open until 2 p.m. but Aadland said up to 600 people attend so it may be a good idea to arrive early to get seated to view the entertainment and enjoy the ethnic food sampling.
Jerry Steinley has lived in the Black Hills most of his life and calls Rapid City home. He received a degree in Journalism with a minor in Political Science from Metropolitan State University in Denver in 1994.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a former South Dakota governor, faced protests as she received an honorary doctorate at Dakota State University in Madison, as the school hosted its commencement ceremonies on Saturday.
Protesters showed up with signs to show their displeasure at the selection of Noem as this year’s commencement speaker. The secretary has been at the forefront of President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration agenda and mass deportation efforts.
“We don’t think that she is somebody that deserves any sort of honor from anybody,” protester Susan Wicks told Dakota News Now. “She’s currently right now violating the constitution, deporting people to foreign detainment centers without any due process.”
“I think that recently she’s shown herself to be a tool of the Trump administration and implementing policies that go against the Constitution of the United States,” fellow protester John Nelson told the outlet.
Wicks added that the university “didn’t listen to the town, the faculty or their students, and we think that’s abhorrent.”
At the Dakota State Fieldhouse, Noem received an honorary doctorate in public service. The school pointed to Noem’s work advocating for the university and its programs focusing on cybersecurity.
During the ceremony, Dakota State University President José-Marie Griffiths said that as South Dakota governor, Noem “was always ready to listen to our proposals, ask insightful questions to learn more about our plans, and was eager to move forward to support those initiatives.”
Some students chose not to participate in the ceremony. Max Lerchen, who graduated with a master’s in business administration, was one of those who took part after considering protesting as he disagreed with the selection of Noem “from the get-go.”
“This is a degree that I’ve worked hard for and many others have worked hard for,” Lerchen told Dakota News Now. “While I support the decision of those to not participate and I respect them for using their voices that way, I did not want to give Secretary Noem the power over me making decisions regarding my accomplishment and my day, and I’m very happy to see many others make that same choice as well.”
“I wanted to make sure I spent the day with my friends and my family, the people who supported me and make sure that I still celebrated regardless of the decision made,” he added.
Some students who chose to protest said they were locked out of campus buildings where they had stored their signs.
Lerchen, however, said he didn’t think it was intentional.
“A lot of our facilities around here, when they’re not in use, are locked. That’s not an uncommon thing,” he told Dakota News Now.
He added that the university “made a decision that I disagree with to select and honor Secretary Noem with a degree, but I do not think any of the actions by the university were meant to be malicious.”
Bill that would legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania stalls out in state senate
Augusta commissioners look at hiring arborist for tress downtown
Flood warnings issued across DC region as storms raise concerns
Cleveland Browns Insider Makes Stunning Revelation About Shedeur Sanders
Austin traffic increased after state workers returned to office, but travel speeds barely changed
-
Austin, TX4 days agoBest Austin Salads – 15 Food Places For Good Greens!
-
Education1 week agoIn Alabama Commencement Speech, Trump Mixes In the Political
-
Technology1 week agoBe careful what you read about an Elden Ring movie
-
Culture1 week agoPulitzer Prizes 2025: A Guide to the Winning Books and Finalists
-
World5 days agoThe Take: Can India and Pakistan avoid a fourth war over Kashmir?
-
Education1 week agoUniversity of Michigan President, Santa Ono, Set to Lead University of Florida
-
Technology5 days agoNetflix is removing Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
-
Politics1 week agoEPA chief Zeldin announces overhauls to bring agency back to Reagan-level staffing