Weeklong celebration to embrace all types of diversity

Purdue faculty and staff are invited to visit and participate in a student-run diversity project, Purdue 360: All Perspectives, April 1-5 at Memorial Mall.

The project, new this year, is a week of activities celebrating diversity in its many forms -- from ethnicity to philanthropy interests. The events will conclude with Purdue's Got Talent, a talent show featuring the unique individuals found on Purdue's campus.

Purdue 360 is a platform created by Vincent Zhang, a senior studying industrial engineering and mathematics with statistics, and is the product of collaboration with Purdue Student Government, Purdue Student Union Board, Residence Hall Association and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. The program is designed to help faculty, staff and students recognize that diversity can extend to include the special interests that make every person unique.

Each day of the week features a different type of diversity and will involve displays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial Mall. Food samples will be available in Purdue Memorial Union and dining courts. France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center will host handball and cricket tournaments, as well as international cooking demonstrations throughout the week.

In addition to the daily activities, Purdue 360 is hosting two invited speakers. Tommie Smith, former Olympic runner, will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 1 in Lilly Hall, Room G106. Smith is best known for performing the black power salute during his medal celebration at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Former neo-Nazi TJ Leyden will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 4 in Rawls Hall, Room 1086. Leyden, once a leader in the neo-Nazi movement, now presents a message on overcoming hatred and fighting against hate groups.

The week's main events and themes are:

* Monday: The "Global Village" at Memorial Mall will host displays from international groups. Puerto Rican food will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ford Dining Court.

* Tuesday: "Religion Awareness" will feature campus religious groups at Memorial Mall. A Greek lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Windsor Dining Court, while Indian Masala and Lemongrass will be providing free food samples in Purdue Memorial Union.

* Wednesday: "Benefit the Society" day at Memorial Mall will host service, philanthropy, academic, and special interests groups demonstrating their passions and how they work to better society. Irish lunch items will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Earhart Dining Court. Indian Masala in Purdue Memorial Union will offer food samples.

* Thursday: "Sports" day at Memorial Mall will showcase different sports groups available for faculty, staff and students at Purdue. Mexican food will be provided from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hillenbrand Dining Court.

* Friday: "Entertainment" day at Memorial Mall will include cultural performances of entertainment in other countries as well as street games from other countries and cultures. Brazilian food samples will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wiley Dining Court.

Purdue's Got Talent will wrap up the weeklong celebration. The event is a showcase of the abilities of different cultures and nationalities. Tickets for the show are $2, and will be for sale at Memorial Mall throughout the week.  The talent show begins at 7:30 p.m. April 5 at Córdova Recreational Sports Center.

Faculty may also request tickets to Purdue's Got Talent at https://purdue.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1ADFgTRdJLhTniB.

To learn more about Purdue 360, visit http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~pu360.