COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 11, 2004) – Tennessee Tech University’s 34th annual Friendship International banquet is set for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Roaden University Center’s Multipurpose Room.

Sponsored by the International Student Affairs Office and the International Community Hospitality Association, the potluck dinner is an annual event that celebrates the ethnic diversity on campus and in the community.

“One of the purposes of ICHA is to encourage the development of relationships among international students and members of the university and community, and the annual banquet is one of the ways the organization does that,” said Brian Mylrea, director of International Student Affairs.

The organization is made up of community volunteers who are interested in the welfare of international students and represent professions such as university faculty, lawyers, doctors, biologists, engineers, bankers, businesspersons and homemakers.

“They bring a wide variety of knowledge, skills and experience to ICHA,” Mylrea said.

At this year’s banquet, Cameron Powers and Kristina Sophia will present “Baghdad and Beyond: Building Bridges with Music.” It will focus on recent musical ambassador work they’ve completed in Arab nations such as Iraq, Jordan, West Bank, Egypt and Syria.

The two have performed popular Arabian songs with many people in the streets, public places and homes of those nations, and they’ve scheduled two other local appearances for Friday, Feb. 20 — one at 11 a.m. in the Wattenbarger Auditorium of the Bryan Fine Arts Building and the other at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 20 N. Dixie Ave. For more information, visit their web site at www.musicalmissions.com.

“The banquet is open to anyone interested in learning more about what TTU’s host family association has to offer,” said Mylrea.

Each guest is asked to bring a dish to serve about 12 people. Beverages and paper products will be provided.

For more information, call International Student Affairs at 931/372-3634.

--Tracey LeFevre
This information posted 18 February 2004