Purdue’s Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center to celebrate heritage month

The Purdue Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center (AAARCC) will be celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month during the month of May.

AAPI Heritage Month originated in 1992 when then New York congressmen Frank Hortin introduced the bill calling for the month of May to receive the designation. May was selected for two reasons: First, to commemorate the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to the U.S. on May 7, 1843; second, to honor the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which upward of 20,000 Chinese workers helped to construct. The month pays tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched the United States history and are instrumental in its future success.

“AAARCC first and foremost reflects Purdue University’s commitment in acknowledging the lived experiences of the Asian American and Asian communities on campus, and the commitment to weave these important histories into academic teaching and learning, cultural work, and advocacy,” says Pam Sari, director of AAARCC. “Through the center’s programming, we hope Purdue students, faculty, staff can clearly see how their histories and voices matter, that they can find their place and home both at the AAARCC and the larger Purdue campus.”

To celebrate the month, AAARCC will be sharing stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander Boilermakers to highlight their early and ongoing positive impact on the campus community and beyond.

Read more on the AAARCC stories page.