Mercer Multiversity

Africa Presentation & Mercer International Student Organizaiont (MISO) Awards Ceremony

2008-12-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

Sarah Kennedy, Mary Bita & Patricia Omsolola thrilled the crowd with their African dance.

Click post title for more photos, and see MISO's website for more information about their programs.

"Dancing Around the World" at Mercer

2008-11-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

Mercer International Student Organization hosted "Dancing Around the World" on Nov. 25th. Featured dance groups included the Emory Salsa Club, The Mexican American Student Alliance from Kennesaw State University, Nazeem Allayl Dancers of the Atlanta Belly Dance Troupe, ENVY Dance Team from University of West Georgia, Georgia Tech Salsa Club (seen above) and the Vietnamese Group from the Mercer English Language Institute.

Click post title for more photos. (Sorry about the sideways clips. We're still learning to take videos!)

Interfaith Art Exhibition

2008-11-25T12:04:00.001-08:00

'Red Canvas with Green Pattern'.

Picture by Asma Salim, a Muslim.

Click post title for more works of art.

Interreligious Harmony

2008-11-25T11:43:00.000-08:00

"The vision of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions is of a just, peaceful and sustainable world in which:

Religious and spiritual communities live in harmony and contribute to a better world from their riches of wisdom and compassion
Religious and cultural fears and hatreds are replaced with understanding and respect
People everywhere come to know and care for their neighbors
The richness of human and religious diversity is woven into the fabric of communal, civil, societal and global life
The world's most powerful and influential institutions move beyond narrow self-interest to realize common good
The Earth and all life are cherished, protected, healed and restored
All people commit to living out their highest values and aspirations.

The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions seeks to promote interreligious harmony, rather than unity. The problem with seeking unity among religions is the risk of loss of the unique and precious character of each individual religious and spiritual tradition; this understanding is key to our framework. Interreligious harmony, on the other hand, is an attainable and highly desirable goal. Such an approach respects, and is enriched by, the particularities of each tradition."

For more information about Interreligious Harmony and The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions" click post title.

Spooktacular 2008

2008-10-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the winners of Mercer International Student Organization's Costume Contest! Click post title to view more photos.

Halloween Around the World

2008-10-31T12:13:00.000-07:00

Halloween, one of the world's oldest holidays, is still celebrated today in several countries around the globe. Click on the post title for video clips and interesting information about Halloween around the world!

MISO's GLOBAL FIESTA NIGHT

2008-10-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

Click on post title for more photos!

Mercer's International Student Organization (MISO) has more exciting events planned for the fall. Check out their website for more details: http://www.mercer.edu/misoatl/

You Are Invited to an Exciting, Free Event..

2008-09-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

The 31st Annual International Students Welcome Reception

Sunday, October 12, 2008 4:00 PM

Concert by the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra

Woodruff Arts Center, Symphony Hall, 15th and Peachtree Streets

followed by a Reception at First Presbyterian Church

Fifield Hall, 16th and Peachtree Streets

Sponsored by the Atlanta Ministry with International Students (AMIS) and the Atlanta Area Kiwanis Clubs
Open to all International Students and the Metro Atlanta Community.

Click post title for more information.

World Suicide Prevention Day

2008-09-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

"World Suicide Prevention Day is held on September 10 each year as an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), and is co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 2008 theme is 'Think Globally. Plan Nationally. Act Locally.' This phrase, first used by the movement to save the environment, can equally well be applied to suicide prevention:

to develop global awareness of suicide as a major preventable cause of premature death,
to describe the political leadership and policy frameworks for suicide prevention provided by national suicide prevention strategies,
and to highlight the many practical prevention programmes that translate policy statements and research outcomes into activities at local, community levels."

Click post title for more information.

Mercer International Student Association (MISO)

2008-08-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Allen Jones, McAfee Student, promoted MISO to new students at the Sheffield Open yesterday.

Career Services Available to International Students

2008-08-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

Mercer University Career Services staff are available to assist International students as they prepare for various careers. Their Mercer Atlanta office is located in the Atlanta Conference Center, 3rd Floor, Suite 318. Appointments are also available on the Henry and Douglas campuses, and are free and confidential. Call 678-547-6023 to schedule an appointment now!

Click on the post title to visit their web site.

Interfaith Worship & Dialogue, August 3rd

2008-07-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

At Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Rd., Atlanta, GA 30345. Click on Post Title for more information.

Dinner at Yunsuk's

2008-06-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Pictures from Coffee Talk's dinner at Yunsuk's home. We also had fun playing Yout, a popular Korean game. Thanks Yunsuk for the great dinner and fun game.

Torah and Qur'an Placed in Mercer's Prayer Room

2008-06-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Presented to the Students, Faculty & Staff

of Mercer University Atlanta

in Celebration of National Interfaith Awareness Week

by Julie Cannon & Peter Junker.

For more information about NIAW, click on post title.

To read more about Religious Diversity

in the United States,

visit The Pluralism Project at

Harvard University's website:

http://www.pluralism.org/

Coffee Talk at Stone Mountain

2008-06-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

We made it to the top of the mountain, woowho!

Outing to Stone Mountain Park, June 6th

2008-05-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

Join Mercer folks from International Coffee Talk at Stone Mountain Park next Friday. A group is meeting at Mercer/Atlanta at 2:00 pm to drive out together. For more information, contact McAfee student extraordinare, Allen Jones, at allenjon@bellsouth.net Click on post title to view Stone Mountain Park's website!

China & Myanmar

2008-05-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

Let us continue to remember and pray for those in China and Myanmar suffering now, and the workers trying to offer help. Click post title for the latest news.

Greetings from Japan

2008-05-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Another former English Language Institue student, Nami, sends greetings to Mercer!

Greetings from South Korea

2008-05-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

Click on post title for more photos of former ELI student, Jin. We love hearing from our ELI friends all over the world!

Shake at the Lake

2008-05-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

It does require tickets to go to see the free show in Piedmont Park. You need to get tickets at 10 am on the day you plan to go. Vicky has 2 extra tickets for Friday (5-9-08). If you would like them, please e-mail her at yy.yu714@gmail.com.

2008-05-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

A free performance by Georgia Shakespear
at Piedmont Park, May 7-11, 7:30 pm

Carlo Goldoni's
The Servant of Two Masters

For information about getting a ticket, see
http://www.gashakespeare.org/shakeatthelake.asp

2008-05-02T15:11:00.000-07:00

International Coffee Talk...
For more information on International Coffee Talk this summer, please contact Allen Jones at allenjon@bellsouth.net. Thanks.

2008-05-02T14:13:00.001-07:00

International Coffee Talk Summer '08

Join us for coffee, tea, and lively conversation every Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00. We'll learn about our diverse cultures, play some fun word games, and meet some new friends. You can come and go as needed. It'll be like a relaxing afternoon English Tea, only more fun... and with a coffee option. Crumpet, please Jeeves...

Thursday 3:00 to 4:00

Room 217 Sheffield Building

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

2008-04-22T17:30:00.001-07:00

Click post title to see how Georgians are caring for the planet. How did you spend your Earth Day? Comment below.

Passover begins April 20th

2008-04-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

"Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses. Jews have celebrated Passover since about 1300 BC, following the rules laid down by God in Exodus 13." Pictured is a Passover Seder plate. Click post title for more.

Visit International Coffee Talk

2008-04-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

Join the group this Thursday, April 10th, from 3 - 4 pm in the Sheffield Student Center, room 217. Enjoy coffee, tea, snacks and good fellowship. Worried you won't know what to say? No problem. We'll break into small groups with conversation starter questions. Stop by for a cup of Yun Suk's tea even if you're not able to stay the whole hour!

Join Other Mercer Students at Emory University this Saturday!

2008-04-03T19:05:00.001-07:00

For more informaiton contact ELI student, Obad Jumaan, at atdefier_algabal@hotmail.com

Remebering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2008-04-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

Dr. King was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, 40 years ago tomorrow. He, and so many others, sacrificed their lives for freedom we cherish today. There is more to do. Let us continue his sacred work for peace. Click the post title to hear his "I Have a Dream" speech from 1963. For more information on Dr. King: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html

National Interfaith Awareness Week

2008-03-31T09:48:00.001-07:00

April 14-18, 2008. Click post title for more information. Post a comment below with your suggestions about how the Mercer community can participate. Here's some ideas to consider: http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~zearott/suggestions.html

Stress-Free Fun Day

2008-03-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

Bring your family and join other Mercer students, faculty & staff on the Mercer Quad Saturday, April 12th, 12:00-4:30pm.

Try out the Rock Wall, Inflatable Jousting, Obstacle Course, Games and more. This is a great opportunity to meet American & International students! Lunch provided.

Cultural Competency Conference, GA State University, Mar. 27 & 28

2008-03-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

Julie's taking off a few days this week while her stepson is in town and will be attending the Cultural Competency Conference at Georgia State University Thursday and Friday. For more information about the conference, click post title.

Happy Holidays!

2008-03-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

It's always a holiday somewhere. Click the post title to learn more about cultural and religious observances from various traditions. Here's a list of a few dates of note in March:

3/21
Good Friday - Christian
Purim - Jewish
Norouz (New Year) - Persian/Zoroastrian
Naw Ruz (New Year) - Baha'i
Magha Puja - Buddhist
3/22
Holi - Hindu
Hola Mohalla - Sikh
3/23
Easter - Christian
3/26
Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra) - Zoroastrian

An Evening with Elie Wiesel, GA State University, 3/27/08, 6-8pm

2008-03-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

Elie Wiesel is Professor of Humanities at Boston University, and University Professor in the Departments of Religion and Philosophy and the 1986 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Professor Wiesel was fifteen years old when he and his family were deported to Auschwitz. His mother and younger sister perished there; his two older sisters survived. Professor Wiesel and his father were later transported to Buchenwald, where his father died before the camp was liberated in 1945. Professor Wiesel has worked on behalf of oppressed people for much of his adult life. He is the evening speaker at Georgia State University's Cultural Competency Conference in Atlanta.
Click post title for more details. If you're interested in joining others from Mercer for this event, post a comment below.

Welcome to DeKalb, Georgia's Most Culturally Diverse County

2008-03-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

Named for Baron Johann DeKalb, a hero of the Revolutionary War (1775-83), DeKalb County was settled by new arrivals from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina on land allotments of 202.5 acres each. During the Civil War (1861-65) much of the Battle of Atlanta took place in DeKalb County, particularly along the railroad heading west toward Atlanta.

DeKalb County's population grew rapidly during the last half of the twentieth century... Originally mostly whites of Anglo-Saxon descent, its population has become racially and ethnically diverse. The county is home to a large number of middle-class African Americans and to several distinct African American communities, such as Shermantown and Scottdale. Clarkston is a site for refugee relocation, adding to the county's already established international flavor. The DeKalb Farmers Market, which opened in 1977, now covers 140,000 square feet and sells a variety of international produce. (Pictured above).

DeKalb is home to eight colleges and other postsecondary institutions: Agnes Scott College, Columbia Theological Seminary, DeKalb Technical College, DeVry University, Emory University, Georgia Perimeter College, Mercer University, and Oglethorpe University.

Click post title for more information. (Source: The New Georgia Encyclopedia). What's there to do in DeKalb? http://www.dcvb.org/

Baptists Dancing!

2008-03-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

Pictured, Libby & Loyd Allen, from McAfee School of Theology, dancing Cuban-style to the music of Cafe Mezclao Friday night. For more photos, click on the post title.

INTERNATIONAL COFFEE TALK

2008-02-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

We're on spring break, but will resume weekly meetings on Thursday, March 13, 3-4pm in 217 Sheffield Student Center. Come and go as needed.

Join International and American students & staff for stimulating conversation over coffee or tea. Learn about other cultures and make new friends. Step out of your comfort zone and have some fun - this is quality diversity experience right here at Mercer! For more information contact Julie at cannon_je@mercer.edu

Have you already been to an International Coffee Talk? Tell others about your experience--- Post a message here.

LIVE CUBAN MUSIC, Feb. 29, 7 PM

2008-02-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

The group, Cafe Mezclao, will present A LEAP YEAR CONCERT - el concierto del año bisiesto. Enjoy Cuban and Latin music, both traditional and contemporary, as well as light refreshments and works of local artists. A donation of $10 is requested, $5 for students. For more information: http://www.cafemezclao.com/

Wear your dancing shoes!

WHERE: Oakhurst Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 222 East Lake Dr., Decatur, GA 30030, only one block from the East Lake MARTA Station.
DIRECTIONS: http://www.oakhurstbaptist.org/obc/findus.htm

Respond by "Comments" below if you'd like to get a group to attend together.

Group from Mercer to Participate in Arab Film Festival Feb. 23

2008-02-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

Join us at the High Museum of Art's Rich Theater to see "AmericaEast." We'll meet outside the ticket office between 7:15 and 7:30 PM. Tickets are $4 for students, $5 general admission. (Pictured at right is Lebanese-American actor Tony Shaloub of "Monk" fame, who joins a talented Arab cast). For more information and directions:
http://www.high.org/experience/films/nowplaying.aspx
If you'd like to connect with others attending, contact ELI student Obad Jumaan at defier_algabal@hotmail.com or make a "Comment" below.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-02-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

The Asian Student Association, with the assistance of ELI students & Student Affairs, rang in the Lunar New Year with stlye. 40 International & American students and staff enjoyed a break from school and the opportunity to make some new friends. Thanks again to everyone who made this happen! More photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/julesandpetey/LunarNewYearParty020808?authkey=DnDsiza3W00

Lunar New Year's Party

2008-02-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

Food! Music! Fun! Don't miss our campus celebration of the lunar New Year (also known as "Chinese New Year.") ALL ARE WELCOME! Sponsored by your fellow Mercer students in the Asian Student Association and by the International Coffee Talk of the Mercer Counseling Center. Friday, February 8 at 7:00pm, in the Sheffield Student Center Lobby. For more information, contact Amy Winkle in Student Affairs at winkle_ac@mercer.edu or (678) 547-6814.
About the Year of the Rat: In ancient Chinese tradition, 12 animal "signs" represent different types of personalities. People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be neat, intelligent, shrewd, compassionate, charismatic, charming, ambitious, practical, industrious, honest, eloquent, versatile, familial, creative, hard-working, and organized.