FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 4, 2008

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

Faculty establish two Chinese culture, scholarship organizations 

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Two new faculty-oriented groups intended to boost multicultural environment/appreciation and promote   mutual understanding and respect among individuals with diverse backgrounds were recently formed at Slippery Rock University.

            “The Chinese Culture Association of Slippery Rock University primarily consists of SRU faculty, their family members and SRU students who are related to, or interested in, Chinese culture,” said Wenhao Liu, assistant professor of physical education and president of the culture group. 

            Other culture group board members are: Vice presidents, Jialing Wang, assistant professor of geography, geology and the environment, and Wei Bian, assistant professor of physical education; webmaster and treasurer, Hongbo Zhou, assistant professor of computer science; and coordinator, Xianfeng Chen, assistant professor of geography, geology and the environment.

            “The second organization, the Modern China Center of Slippery Rock University, will focus on academic or research oriented areas. Its mission is to connect faculty, staff and students across the University who share scholarly interests and research on China, promote and coordinate research programs regarding China, and increase academic exchange among Chinese and American scholars,” Liu said. 

            The officers group are: Directors, Wang; associate directors, Hong Zhang, an international student from Urumgi, Xinjiang, China, and Hong Zhuang, a faculty exchange member in SRU’s department of modern languages and cultures; and consultants, Jeffrey Forrest, professor of mathematics, and Kimberly Forrest, professor of health and safety.

            The organizations will jointly sponsor a 2008 Chinese New Year Celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Slippery Rock Newman Center. The event will feature a New Year-related speech, Tai Chi, singing, paper cutout and other Chinese culture related activities and games with small prizes. Chinese finger foods will be served. The public is invited.   

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.

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