August 14, 2008

Black Cultural Center's Boilerfest to welcome students

The casual, interactive program introduces first-year students to the Black Cultural Center. The BCC Performing Arts Ensembles, which include the Black Voices of Inspiration choir, Jahari Dance Troupe, New Directional Players theatrical company and Haraka Writers, will present an artistic showcase. The Black Thought Collective, a dialogue-centered and service-learning group sponsored by the BCC, will be launched at Boilerfest.

Several campus leaders and student representatives will be present to answer questions. Officials from several campus departments also will talk to incoming students about the variety of existing support services.

"We want incoming first-year students to know we're available to help them achieve academic and personal success at Purdue," 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."

To celebrate the fall research tour to New Orleans, Boilerfest will feature a Mardi Gras theme with food and music representing the city's culture. The BCC's fall semester theme is "What the waters washed away: The impact of Hurricane Katrina on the retention of African-American art and culture."

Boilerfest is free and open to the public. For information, call the BCC at (765) 494-3092.

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: Greg McClure, (765) 494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Source: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu

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

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