The world and its many cultures visited Moorpark College on Tuesday as the 20th anniversary of Multicultural Day gave way to a blending of foreign customs, art, music, dance, food and many more events that allowed students to become part of a tighter human culture.
“Multicultural Day is a learning experience for everyone,” said chair and co-founder Professor Ranford Hopkins. “It’s coming from many different areas, [and] every aspect of culture is covered.”
Moorpark College’s year long theme of “service” was integrated into the event as some open stands accepted donations for charities, one of which was to help the people of Haiti recover from their recent earthquake.
“Service is an important part of bringing cultures together,” said Hopkins. “When we support each other, we are supporting our own humanity.”
The festival began at 8:30 a.m. and consumed most of the campus as events and activities were located within classrooms, lecture halls and in open areas outside. As in past years, the entire day had been labeled an “alternative day of instruction” with many professors canceling classes or providing extra credit for student involvement.
“It’s an alternative day of learning amongst other cultures,” said Hopkins. “I do think that in a college experience, the broader the experience the better.”
Many students agreed that the weather had enhanced their experience, as the low winds and sunny conditions allowed students to move freely throughout the day.
“The weather could not be any better,” said Kelly Grayson, a 19-year-old psychology major. “It’s been horrible all week. I think we all got really lucky that it could be so perfect today.”
As students and faculty made the most of their day attending lectures and performances, the common consensus of the intended learning experience became an evident success. Even veteran students would agree of the day’s accomplishment.
“This is my fourth year attending Multicultural Day and I don’t think it’s ever been this fun,” said Elise Murray, a 24-year-old biology major. “That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the other ones, but it just feels different this time. I think everyone just seems more involved which gives some sort of pride to all us students.”
Being the 20th anniversary of Multicultural Day at Moorpark College, the campus has seen the world. Hopkins has been involved for all 20 years and still looks to improve the program.
“Our overall goal remains the same every year,” said Hopkins. “However, we are always looking to improve and to enrich the students’ experience as they are being exposed to various cultures. I expect Moorpark College, with the help of students and faculty, to have another 20 years of unifying the world’s culture.”
For a closer look at Multicultural Day, look for the Multicultural Day Coverage section at https://www.moorparkreporter.com/news/moorpark
