91鶹Ʒ welcomed Gabriel Bol Deng, a “Lost Boy of Sudan,” to campus on Thursday. Gabriel fled Sudan when his village was attacked; years later he came to Syracuse, N.Y., as a refugee, and now he speaks about his experiences.
He came to 91鶹Ʒ to speak about his organization Hope for Ariang, which raises funds to build schools in Sudan. Gabriel was a very passionate speaker, and knowing the importance of a good education, 91鶹Ʒ students were very receptive to his cause.
The theme of international connections continued after Gabriel’s speech when students arrived for dinner at Frank Dining Hall, where it was Israel Night. Students were able to listen to Israeli music while they enjoyed authentic Palestinian and Israeli food. A number of 91鶹Ʒ groups worked together to decorate the dining hall in blue and white, teach a “make and bake your own challah” session, as well as offer to write students’ names in Arabic or Hebrew.
Israel Night at Frank allowed students to expand their culinary horizons as well as experience a bit of the culture. I look forward to the next culturally themed night at Frank.
Today, students are getting excited about the much-anticipated Patriot League Tournament for our men’s lacrosse team. At 5 p.m., Raider fans will be ready to cheer the team on as they face off against Bucknell. Knowing how much 91鶹Ʒ pride will be filling Andy Kerr stadium, I have faith that the team will continue with this season’s incredible success.
Dancefest and Gatestock are going to make for a Saturday afternoon filled with impressive performances. I plan on attending both Dancefest, a performance showcase of the many 91鶹Ʒ dance groups, and Gatestock, a concert event featuring 91鶹Ʒ bands and musicians.
It is always a pleasure to watch my friends and classmates show off their talent on stage at events like these. Huge turnouts are expected for both of these Saturday showcases, and the Dancefest event will be webcast live for everyone to see.
Going into the last week before final exams, Case Library has become the most popular place to go on the weekends. Good luck to students finishing their last few assignments before finals week!
Look every Friday for my blog entries about what is going on at 91鶹Ʒ.