Celebration of Diversity and Success at St. Francis College

Everyday, the campus of St. Francis College reflects the amazing diversity of the city it calls home. To celebrate the coming together of people from dozens of countries and countless cultures, the College hosted its annual multicultural interchange, Community Day, April 13, where members of the college community shared aspects of their cultures with and among each other.

Community Day begins with an inclusive mass reflecting the diverse community; all forms of spirituality are celebrated and respected in this "religious" celebration. This year's mass was celebrated by Father Caleb Buchanan. Immediately following the service there was a brief welcoming by both college administrators and student leaders. Finally, students from around the globe performed songs, dances and other forms of artistic expression from their country and/or culture of origin.

In 2008, members of the Latin American Society performed a swing dance, the Arab American Society performed a traditional bellydance and alumni Antonevia Ocho-Coultes and Jamie Weatherhead and current student Jamaal Womack performed songs from the heart. The SFC Dance team also presented a four part performance titled "The Community of Dance." Following the mass and performances, a multicultural dinner was served with foods from around the world.

St. Francis College is proud to have been named the 6th most diverse liberal arts college in the country by U.S.News & World Report. Even more important, the achievement gap between white, African-Americans and Hispanics that is chronic in so many colleges has been successfully bridged at St. Francis College.* St. Francis College is listed as one of the Four-Year Colleges and Universities With Small or Nonexistent Black/White Six-Year Graduation Rate Gaps for 2006, the latest year where data is available.** We attribute this to a holistic approach that is aimed at all our students and starts before they even begin to take classes here.

Community Day is sponsored by The Institute for International and Cross-Cultural Psychology, the Office of the President, the Office of Student Activities and the SGA

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City's five boroughs and beyond.
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St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
www.sfc.edu