Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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National Theme: Advancing Leaders through Innovation

In June 1978, Representative Frank Horton of New York introduced a resolution proposing that the President should “proclaim a week, which is to include the seventh and tenth of the month, during the first ten days in May of 1979 as ‘Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.’” After that presidents passed annual proclamations for "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week" until 1990 when Congress passed a law which expanded the observance to a month for 1990. Then in 1992, Congress passed another law which annually designated May as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month." Because of the abundance of activities surrounding Commencement, Rider University celebrates "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month" in April, with a variety of traditional cultural events to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. 

Schedule of Events

Monday, April 8

Exploring AAPI Cuisine
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Daly Dining Hall – Teaching Kitchen 
Bring your appetite as we explore different foods within the AAPI culture. We will be learning how to make three different foods from three different cultures and combining them to make one tasty dish!
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion–CDI)

Thursday, April 11 

Hangul 101
Noon
CDI Large Meeting Room
To celebrate AAPI month, we will be learning the basics of the writing system of the Korean language called Hangul! Bring your pen and paper with you to practice with our very own Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Heeyoung Kim! We hope to see you there. 
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion–CDI)

Boba Night
6:30 p.m.
Cavalla Room
Join Asian American Student Association for Boba Night where students can come together to play games to win bubble tea.
(Asian American Student Association–AASA)

Monday, April 15

Take a Sip
1:30 p.m.
Cranberry's Dining Hall
Think you know your AAPI countries? Come test your knowledge and take a Ramune Soda (a traditional Japanese drink) with you, while supplies last! 
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion) 

Wednesday, April 17

Pulse of Asia: A Dance and Culture Extravaganza
6 p.m. 
Cavalla Room 
It is a celebration of AAPI month, a party to celebrate your remarkable achievements of this semester! A professional dance performance will be there, and many spectacular students/faculties shows will be there! Please RSVP here.
(Faculty/Staff Asian Affinity Group and Center for Diversity and Inclusion)

Thursday, April 18

Asian Community Conversations with Professors 
5 p.m.
Rue Auditorium 
Bring your friends and join the conversation as students and professors talk about their experiences being in the Asian community. 
(Asian American Student Organization)

Thursday, April 23

AAPI Pop Culture Galore!
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CDI Large Meeting Room
Join us in the celebration of AAPI Month to engage in discussing and recognizing the significance of Asian Pop Culture! Indulge in conversation, exciting trivia, and other fulfilling activities!
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion–CDI)

Other Events

Tuesday, April 16 

Pre-Commencement: A Rite of Passage 
Graduate Pregather: 5:30 p.m. in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Ceremony: 7 p.m. Cavalla Room
Dessert Reception: 8:30 p.m. 
The mission of this pre-commencement ceremony is to celebrate the accomplishments of undergraduate and graduate students of color at Rider University including: Black/African Americans, Chicanx/Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and Multi-Ethnic, who have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree. This event recognizes their achievement through resolute persistence, hard work, and dedication to the advancement of an enriched educational experience at Rider University.
(Center for Diversity and Inclusion)

Thursday, April 18

Kente Graduation Ceremony
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
BLC Cavalla Room 
This will be Black Student Union’s third Kente Graduation, which is a ceremony practiced in the United States, typically by African American students graduating from high school or college, where participants are presented with a Kente stole to be worn over their gown during the graduation ceremony. The Kente cloth tradition itself holds broader value to people of African descent living outside of the continent, displayed in honor of their ancestral heritage or as a symbol of overcoming their struggles.
(Black Student Union–BSU; Center for Diversity and Inclusion–CDI)