North Park University Hosts First Chicago Cultural Expo

Traditional African drumming was among the performances at the Chicago Cultural Expo.

Event draws students, faculty, and staff to learn about Chicago's diverse cultures

CHICAGO (September 25, 2012) — North Park University hosted the first-ever Chicago Cultural Expo September 21, which featured exhibitors from about 20 members of the Chicago Cultural Alliance. The Alliance, representing 30 international communities throughout Chicago, promotes cultural understanding and provides resources for government, museums, libraries, universities, businesses, and other educational and cultural institutions.

The expo is a continuation of the University's relationship with the Chicago Cultural Alliance, said Dr. Joseph Jones, North Park University provost, speaking on behalf of Dr. David Parkyn, University president. The expo fits with the University's mission and core values, especially its continuing emphasis on being a "purposefully multicultural" institution that celebrates global cultures and lives out the reconciling mandate of the Christian gospel, Jones said. "We look forward to people from throughout the Chicago community visiting North Park," he added.

"We are excited to do this with North Park University as a partner organization," said Rebeccah A. Sanders, Alliance executive director. Of the 20 "core members" represented at the expo, "each tells an important story about Chicago's cultural communities," she said.

A steady stream of students, faculty and staff conversed with exhibitors in the North Park University Gymnasium, said Dr. Charles Peterson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and executive director of the University's Center for Scandinavian Studies. Attendees learned about exhibitors' native countries, their cultural contributions to the people of Chicago, internships, service-learning opportunities, study visits, and research possibilities. Expo performances included traditional African and Japanese Taiko drumming, Chinese strings music, German pop rock, and Indian and Cambodian dancers.

North Park University is an Alliance partner organization and expo sponsor.

Use @npunews to follow North Park University News on Twitter. For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, via email or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more about North Park University.