VALDOSTA — Thursday afternoon, more than 100 Valdosta State University students migrated to the main campus’ Palms Quad for the university’s sixth annual Diversity Fair. The fair was the last of five events for the university’s Diversity Week, which kicked off Sunday.

Sponsored by Valdosta State’s Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Affairs, the fair featured close to 40 organizations from the university and Valdosta communities, including Las Banderas Mexican Restaurant, the U.S. Army, the university’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Publix Super Markets, the university’s Society for International Students, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta.

“This is the largest turnout we have ever had,” said Maggie Viverette, acting assistant to the office’s president.

Viverette said she hopes the fair accomplished two goals — educating students about what the area and university have to offer and opening the lines of communication between different groups or individuals.

Erika Harrell, a freshman accounting major from Eastman, said interest and intrigue brought her to the event.

“I am interested in seeing what’s going on,” she said early in the day. “This event is very helpful to students, especially those of us who are not from this area. I have learned a lot about the area in a short amount of time.”

Fellow freshman and friend Hannah Pope echoed her sentiments.

“This is a great idea,” said the biology major as she looked around. “This gives us something to do. Plus, it gives us an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the area.”

Throughout Diversity Week, members of the Valdosta State family and public were exposed to a variety of activities — a performance by the Edgar Dorantes’ Latin Jazz Band, a speak-out on gender and race issues, a performance by the Sabor Latino Latin Dance Team, and an open mic night — designed to celebrate people’s differences.

The goal of the week was “to allow participants an opportunity to learn from each other, to learn of various cultures.”

Through education and learning, Viverette said, a lot of stereotypes can be eliminated thus moving people in the direction of tolerance which then moves them towards the ultimate goal of appreciation of each other as individuals.

For information, please call 333-5463.



To contact reporter Jessica Pope, please call 244-3400, ext. 255.