Multicultural Student Association Highlights African Culture at OSU-Okmulgee

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

(Okmulgee) – A luncheon which featured African food, music and traditional African attire was attended by many community members, educators and students as a welcome for incoming international students at Oklahoma State University – Okmulgee this week.  The “Taste of Africa” luncheon, sponsored by the Multicultural Student Association at OSU-Okmulgee, helped raise awareness of African culture and to foster understanding and interaction among the campus and the community.  

Dr. Thomas Kipkurgat, international & multicultural coordinator for OSU-Okmulgee, says this event helped people gain a richer understanding of African culture.  “I was impressed with the great response from the Okmulgee community, OSU-Stillwater, African vendors from Tulsa, College of Muscogee Nation and several businesses from Tulsa.  The OSU-Okmulgee staff, students and faculty enjoyed traditional African attire modeled by guests, which was quite remarkable.”  Kipkurgat is a Kenya native and former NCAA track and field champion who came to the U.S. in 1995 to enter college on an athletic scholarship from Abilene Christian University.

Several guests from OSU – Stillwater were in attendance, including Professor Al Shabazz, the Director of African Studies, and Patrick Saisi, the Assistant Director of African Studies.  The owners of the Ebute Metta Tropical market and the El Shadai International grocery store in Tulsa lined the sidewalk, selling African food and clothing.  Attendees were treated to a demonstration of the African Djembe drum by Yawnie Knox-Jones of Tulsa.   

The unique tastes on the African menu included Chicken Piri-piri (with peanut sauce), Jollof Rice, Foo-Foo Soup and fried Plantains (African bananas). The meal was prepared by OSU-Okmulgee Culinary Arts students under the direction of Talking Drum restaurant owner Monday Thomas.  A Culinary Arts graduate of OSU-Okmulgee, Thomas emigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria where he was senior Sous Chef for several major hotels.  

Jennifer Jackson, Culinary Arts student from Wagoner, says she helped prepare many of the dishes for the event, and says the food was much spicier than American food.  “We used a lot of crushed red pepper and bell peppers for today’s meal -- I tasted the food and it’s really good. In learning how to cook African food, it was neat to have guest chef Monday Thomas come in to our class.  He’s executive chef at the Talking Drum restaurant and gave us insight into what we can do with an African-themed meal.”  

The guest speaker was Dr. Mike Boit, an Olympic runner and bronze medal winner and a professor at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science.  He talked about his native country, Kenya, and how promoting sports is a way to teach children the value of education.  “For talented athletes, we encourage them to pursue their education.  We need to enhance the international interaction and open an incentive program to get more Kenyan students here.”

Speaking on the broader issue of multiculturalism in our modern world, Dr. Bob Klabenes, President of OSU-Okmulgee, says the world is changing, and globalization and international education are becoming more important.  “We have to figure out a way to have peace in this world and to support one another.  This is why it makes it so important to work with Kenya and other countries as we move forward.  We have to work with everybody around the world.”  

If you’re interested in learning more about OSU-Okmulgee’s International Affairs program, visit the web site at www.osu-okmulgee.edu/admissions/international/

Oklahoma State University - Okmulgee is known for its hands-on technical education, world-class equipment and active partnerships with industry.  Degree programs are developed according to emerging educational and labor market needs.  Seventeen programs of study lead to Associate in Applied Science degrees, three programs of study lead to Associate in Science transfer degrees, and three programs lead to Bachelor of Technology degrees - Information Assurance and Forensics, Instrumentation Engineering Technology and Civil Engineering Technology.  Through frequent advisory board meetings, corporate partners make significant contributions to curriculum, faculty improvement, equipment acquisition, internship experiences for students and employment opportunities for graduates.  OSU-Okmulgee also promotes economic development among small Oklahoma firms by providing training and assistance with technology deployment, financing, bidding and purchasing procedures.

For more information call 918.293.4678 or 1.800.722.4471. Information also is available online at www.osu-okmulgee.edu .