Purdue's Black Cultural Center holds Boilerfest to welcome students

Boilerfest is a casual, interactive program that introduces first-year students to the Black Cultural Center. New this year will be a presentation about the Black Cultural Center by the four performing arts ensembles. Several campus leaders and student organization representatives will be present to answer questions. Additionally, representatives from several campus departments will be present to show incoming students the variety of support services that are available.

"Incoming freshmen can be overwhelmed with activities and extracurricular opportunities at Purdue, and we want them to know we're available to help them make sense of all the choices they have," said Black Cultural Center director Renee Thomas. "Joining a BCC performing arts ensemble is a way of adding balance, creativity and perspective to their education."

The Black Cultural Center's arts ensembles perform throughout the academic year and include the choral Black Voices of Inspiration, the writing group Haraka Writers, the Jahari Dance Troupe and the student theatrical company, the New Directional Players.

Boilerfest is free and open to the public.

Established at Purdue in 1969, the Black Cultural Center is nationally recognized and acknowledged by the Association of Black Culture Centers as one of the best centers of its kind. Thomas said the center helps students gain a greater understanding of African-American heritage and supports and enhances cultural diversity on campus and in the community.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3092, rathomas@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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