VSU Hosts 40th Annual International Dinner April 23

VALDOSTA – The Society for International Students at Valdosta State University will present its 40^th annual international dinner — Déjà vu— at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, in the Student Union Ballrooms.

Tickets are on sale now at the Center for International Programs, 204 Georgia Ave., and cost $15 for current VSU students with a valid identification card, as well as area high school students; $10 for children area elementary and middle school students; and $25 for VSU faculty and staff and other adults from the surrounding communities. Children under the age of 5 will be admitted free of charge.

Déjà vu is an opportunity for VSU’s international students to share part of their culture with the people of South Georgia. The celebration of cultural diversity will begin with appetizers, side dishes, entrees, and desserts prepared by students from Puerto Rico, Belize, Mexico, Ghana, Colombia, Morocco, Russia, and Saudi Arabia under the supervision of Chartwells, or V-State Dining. The meal will be served buffet style.

Throughout the evening, guests will have an opportunity to participate in a silent auction featuring items donated by some of VSU’s international students. There will be singing, dancing, and musical performances and a fashion show featuring attire traditionally worn around the world. Entertainment will be provided by VSU and Valdosta area students.

The featured speaker is Daniel Marzban, who founded the Society for International Students (SIS) as a freshman at Valdosta State in March 1969.

He currently works as an associate broker for Coldwell Banker in Beverly Hills, Calif., and will attend the international dinner with his two children, David Ari, 27, and Christina Joy, 24.

“It is hard for me to describe the measure of joy, excitement, fulfillment, and pride I have in those who have kept and carried on the legacy after I left Valdosta State College some 36 years ago,” he said. “I can hardly wait to visit Valdosta State University on the 40^th anniversary of the international dinner with my two children … and for them to see the alma mater of their dad and the ongoing legacy after 40 years.”

VSU has more than 400 international students from more than 60 countries on campus this semester. More than half of those countries — Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Honduras, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Belgium, El Salvador, Spain, South Korea, Turkmenistan, Russia, Bahamas, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, Philippines, Denmark, Japan, China, Mexico, and Paraguay — will be represented at the dinner.

Contact Danielle Bacud, international student advisor with the Center for International Programs, at (229) 333-7410 or cdbacud@valdosta.edu for more information.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/international-programs/

http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/international-programs/student-information/international-dinner.php

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.