March 6, 2023

President Chiang visits cultural centers

President Chiang at Black Cultural Center President Mung Chiang visits the Black Cultural Center on Feb. 21. (Photo provided) Download image

As part of regular visits with student, faculty and staff organizations, Purdue President Mung Chiang visited the Black Cultural Center on Feb. 21 and the Native American Educational and Cultural Center on March 2, taking part in tours and learning about the activities of each center and its community. In each of these and future visits, Chiang participates in roundtable discussion with undergraduate and graduate students in each center.

The BCC was established in 1969 and offers a wealth of programs and services for the entire campus community, nurturing and presenting the rich heritage of the African American experience through art, history and cultural understanding. The layout of the current facility, which opened in 1999 at 1100 Third St., is patterned after a traditional African extended family village, with a mix of round and rectangular shapes. The BCC hosts student performing arts ensembles in dance drama, choral music and creative writing. Anne Marie Edwards, a Purdue alum, was named director of the BCC in October 2022. Edwards is highly regarded as a cultural historian, podcaster, educator and student advocate. She is an active member of the Association of Black Culture Centers, National Council for Black Studies and NASPA.

President Chiang at the Native American Educational and Cultural Center President Mung Chiang visits the Native American Educational and Cultural Center on March 2. (Photo provided) Download image

The NAECC, located at 903 Fifth St., opened in 2007 and was the first cultural center in the state of Indiana dedicated to supporting Indigenous students. The NAECC is instrumental in nurturing student learning and success while providing educational opportunities for the campus community to learn about Indigenous cultures. Felica Ahasteen-Bryant is director of the NAECC. She has worked in the field of education for over 20 years with an emphasis in student engagement and leadership, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and recruitment and retention of students. Ahasteen-Bryant received the American Indian Science and Engineering Society Chapter Advisor of the Year award in 2013 and was named the Outstanding Advisor of the Year from the Purdue Office of the Dean of Students in 2015.

“Everywhere I go and everyone I meet underlines that Purdue University is the most remarkable land-grant institution in this country,” Chiang said. “We have so many brilliant young minds, and we have many dedicated staff members, such as colleagues in the BCC and the NAECC, who are committed to supporting the very best in each and every Boilermaker.”

Chiang will continue visiting with many student-facing facilities throughout the spring semester, including the other cultural centers on campus, residence halls, HTM annual dinner, all intercollegiate athletic teams, Greek organizations, Purdue music organizations, bands and orchestras, and other student organizations.


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