Dowdy Multicultural Center

30th Annual Spring 2022 Kente Graduation Celebration
Thursday, May 12 | Celebration Time: 6 PM-7:30 PM | Doors Open at 5PM   |  Tickets Required for Entry
 
The Dowdy Multicultural Center is excited to coordinate the Kente Graduation Celebration, known affectionally by students and alumni as “Kente” which is an event that was created in the fall of 1992 to “honor and celebrate the achievements of multicultural students”. Kente has become a “true West Chester University tradition”.   
  
As the student body at West Chester University has grown in its cultural diversity, so has the event itself. Today, Kente is an event that affirms and celebrates the cultural identity of students who identify as Alaskan Native, Asian and Asian American, Black and African American, Caribbean American, Desi American, Latina/o/x, Native American, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and Multiracial.  
  
REGISTRATION LINK AND DEADLINE  
Registration link: check your email for the link. Only those that are anticipated to graduate and we have received information from the registrar will receive the email.
Deadline: Wednesday, April 6 at 11:30 p.m. E.S.T.   
No exceptions will be made. This deadline will allow the office to finalize orders and make the necessary arrangements for this large-scale event. We appreciate your cooperation.  
Submitting form: You must hit the “Submit” button on the bottom right-hand side of the form. If you have difficulty viewing the submit button, you may need to minimize your browser. It is recommended that you use a laptop or desktop to submit this form.  
More information: You will receive a confirmation within 4 business days after your registration.  Please be sure to check your email for this.  
 
STOLE OPTIONS  
During registration, you will be given the option to select from a variety of stoles. We will place an order for these stoles based on your selection and timely registration.  
 
DEDICATION/ EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION  
In the registration process you will have the opportunity to provide a dedication or expression of appreciation that will be included in the program. There is a 38-word limit. 
  
TICKETS  
Number of tickets:
Your registration includes a maximum of 6 reserved tickets for family members and friends to attend Kente in support of you. Please note that the maximum number of tickets is based on the number of anticipated graduates and the capacity of Hollinger Field House.  

Picking-up Reserved tickets:
Reserved tickets must be pick-up at Ram Card office/ SSI  Service Center on the Ground Floor of the Sykes Student Union (Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm) starting Friday, April 8 until Thursday, May 12 (no later than 2pm) . Ram card is required to pick up your tickets and must be picked up in-person.   
Additional tickets:
Tickets are now available for General Public and WCU Community (students, faculty, and staff) online: Link will be provided soon.

Live Stream will be available at www.wcupa.edu/commencement
 
KENTE STUDENT SPEAKER APPLICATION  
As a part of the Kente Graduation Celebration, one undergraduate, one graduate and/or doctoral speakers will be selected to speak.  
Deadline: Sunday, April 17  | Link: https://cglink.me/2f3/s66152  
The criteria for the speaker application is the following:  
-Must participate in Kente Graduation Celebration. 
-Students from all departments are invited to apply.  
-You must submit a draft of your speech.  
-The speech must remain under 5 minutes long.  
-Remarks should reflect an uplifting and inspiring message for peers. Keep in mind the diverse cultural/racial experiences of the graduates.  
-DMC staff may request changes to the speech.  
-You must meet with a DMC staff member to provide you with guidance and instructions for day of the celebration.  
-You must be at the ceremony no later than 45 minutes in advance and check-in with appropriate staff member.  
 
FAQ’S AND STAY UP TO DATE  
Email Communication: You will continue to receive emails through your wcupa.edu account as the primary source of communication. “Kente Graduation Celebration” will continue to be in the subject line. You may receive communication directly from one of the DMC Staff members (Secretary, Assistant Director, or Associate Director) or from the multicultural@wcupa.edu email.  
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s): tinyurl.com/DMCprograms  
DMC Kente Graduation Information Page: tinyurl.com/DMCprograms (Feel free to place a bookmark and check for updates.)   
Reach us: For questions that are not answered in the FAQ’s, you can contact our office at (610) 436-3273, or email us at multicultural@wcupa.edu   
Follow us: Instagram page: @dowdymc_wcu 
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s) 
 
Why are tickets required?  
The event is ticketed for the safety of all graduates and guests. The tickets are based on the number of anticipated graduates and the capacity of Hollinger Field House. This event has grown significantly and we want to assure that everyone is able to safely celebrate.  
  
Can I pick up my stole before the ceremony?  
No. Stoles will be presented at the celebration. You must be present at the celebration in order to receive the stole.  
 
What if I cannot participate and desire to receive a stole?  
In order to receive a stole, you must participate in the celebration. 
 
What time do I arrive? 
All graduates need to arrive at Hollinger Fieldhouse (Purple gym area), 150 University Ave, West Chester, PA  19383 no later than 4:30 p.m. to check-in, receive hood prep assistance if needed, and to line up for the celebration. We will begin the event promptly at 6:00 p.m.  
 
Where do I park?  
General Parking  
During the Kente Graduation Celebration, parking is free in the Sharpless Street Parking Garage (15 Sharpless St., West Chester, PA 19383) and the New Street Parking Garage (704 S. New St., West Chester, PA 19383). Students and their guests are strongly encouraged to park in the Sharpless Parking Garage first for easier access to Hollinger Field House.  
Accessible Parking  
Hollinger Accessible Parking - Guests with a university or state issued handicap placard can park on Church Street via Sharpless Street. You make a left off of High Street onto Sharpless Street and then another left onto Church Street.  There will be parking officers present to assist with this. If those spots are full, you can drop off at Church Street and University Avenue (as close to the building as possible) and then park in one of the garages.  
  
What do I wear? 
Please bring/wear your graduation gown and the purple and gold hood. You will not need your graduation cap.  Be sure to view the YouTube video to be familiar with the proper way to wear your hood. You can view this here: Commencement | How to Properly Wear Your Graduation Gown.  We have faculty and staff to assist with making sure you hood is worn correctly if needed.   
 
How do I order/what is the information about my cap and gown? 
You can find information about your cap and gown, diplomas, honor cords and other special regalia here: https://www.wcupa.edu/Commencement/student.aspx 
Cap, gowns, and hoods will NOT be available at the Kente Graduation Celebration.

Brothers of Excellence Luncheon 2022
Theme: Strength, Power, and Brotherhood
Saturday, February 26 | 12pm-2:30pm | Sykes Student Union- Ballroom

Join us in-person to connect and learn with other Men of Color! 
*Men of Color includes men who identify as Asian American, Black or African American, Desi American, Indigenous, Latinx, Mixed heritage, Native American, and Pacific Islander 

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Registration 
RSVP on RamConnect (link below) by Thursday, February 24

RSVP
https://cglink.me/2f3/r1530017

WCU Affiliated - Free
Non-WCU participants - Free

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Conference Schedule 
Networking Session
Lunch & Big Brother Panel
Keynote Speaker
Prizes

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Conference Mission   
The Brothers of Excellence Conference will provide college Men of Color with the knowledge and community connections to:  

• Identify a social issue that impacts Men of Color.  
• Explore their civic leadership roles in connection with their multiple identities.   
• Recognize resources and individuals to create a sense of community of support on campus. 

Theme: Strength, Power, and Brotherhood
This year's theme, “Strength, Power and Brotherhood” will focus on the importance of unity amongst the community of Men of Color.  
 
For this year's theme, the conference will embrace these concepts: 
It's about strength, it's about power 
We stay together, we don't turn our back against one another 
Put in the work, put in the time, use your mind 
Education, affirmation, if you want to bring attention 
Reach out it's not a burden 

For questions email multicultural@wcupa.edu 

2021 Calendar of Events

Native American Heritage Month Social Justice Education Conversation Series

Mondays, November 1st, 8th, and 15th  |  1:15 PM – 2:15 PM  |  DMC (Sykes 003)

 

November 1st Topic: Environmental Justice

November 8th Topic: Violence against Native American & Indigenous women

November 15th Topic: Decolonizing Thanksgiving

 

Register on RamConnect

 

Smithsonian American Indian Museum / Native American Heritage Month Livestream Tour

Saturday, November 6th  |  11:00 AM - 12:30 PM  |  Virtual (Register for Link)

Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/SAIMTour (Minimum Donation of $1 Required)

 

Native American Heritage Month Speaker Event:

The Lenape Peoples: Past, Present, and Future presented by Daniel StrongWalker Thomas and Katelyn Lucas

Wednesday, November 17th  |  6:00 PM  |  Zoom (Register for Zoom Link)

Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/NAHMSpeak21   

Katelyn and Daniel will present an overview of the history of the Lenape (a.k.a. Delaware) peoples, and discuss the state of the multiple federally recognized Lenape sovereign Nations today whose homelands encompass eastern PA, NJ, DE and parts of NY. Their presentation will focus on the impacts of settler colonial violence, land grabs, broken treaties and other key historical events which resulted in centuries of forced removals of the Lenape people. Daniel will define and discuss the ongoing issue of  corporations posing as indigenous nations, and how it’s impacts on Lenape Nations today. Katelyn will also touch on her work as a Tribal Historic Preservation Assistant for Delaware Nation, overviewing topics such as museum ethics, land acknowledgements, and efforts of reconciliation. 

 

Celebrate! with Wampanoag Nation Singers & Dancers presented by John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Saturday, November 20th  |  11:30 AM – 12:30 PM  |  Virtual (Register for Link)

Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/celebrateNAHM

 

Indigenous Activism Inside and Outside the Academy: Perspectives from a WCU Alum
Women & Gender Studies Department & the Dowdy Multicultural Center Presents:

Tuesday, November 23rd | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Zoom Meeting ID: 938 0727 9718
Password: Activism

Please join us for a discussion with WCU Women's and Gender Studies alum and Indigenous rights activist, Kelsey Rose Kahsonnanowro Diabo. In this Q&A style discussion, Kelsey will share her reflections on the lived realities of what social justice work can look like, both from her time as a student and now as an alum. Indigenous activism has had a critical role intersecting in all facets other life, ranging from academics to athleticism, and Kelsey will reflect on her time at WCU, offering perspectives on continuing justice-centered work after graduating.

 

Native American Heritage Month Lunch & Learn

Tuesday, November 30th  |  12:30 PM – 1 :30 PM  |  Only 15 Slots. Register for Location.

Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/NAHMLunchLearn

 

2022 Calendar of Events TBD

2021 Calendar of Events
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Narratives Conversation Series

Wednesdays, April 7, 14 and 21 

Time: 3:30 PM

Register here: http://cglink.me/2f3/r922101

 

Join us for a conversation series to celebrate APIDA Heritage Month. We will view and discuss short videos on the diverse APIDA community narratives.

 

Cultural Heritage Month Speaker Series: APIDA Heritage Month featuring Kristina Wong and Dr. Simran Jeet Singh

Date: Wednesday, April 14

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Register here: http://cglink.me/2f3/r1054022 

 

This discussion will highlight the rich diverse and history of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities in the U.S. Speakers will also so connect racial justice movements across the APIDA communities and specifically discuss the ongoing racism that is impacting Asian, Pacific Islander and Asian American communities because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

APIDA Heritage Month Trivia

Tuesday, April 20 at 6 PM

Register Here: http://cglink.me/r1063080

Join us for some trivia fun while learning about Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage and history. The top 3 winners will win Amazon gift cards!