Thursday, August 17, 2006
We are always excited to have their programs included in Hawk Week because they are very important to the University and they help promote diversity on campus.
A disc jockey blasted tunes Tuesday on Wescoe Beach while students handed out free drinks and prizes. Then on Wednesday, a gospel choir and a step-dancing exhibition from members of the National Panhellenic Council brought out members of the University of Kansas multicultural community, which was in full force.
About 300 students showed up each day for the HAWK Link block party on Tuesday and Take Over The Beach on Wednesday, which were provided by the HAWK Link program and coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The events were designed to welcome incoming freshman to the University during Hawk Week.
HAWK Link is an academic retention program geared toward assisting new multicultural students during their first year at the University. More than 320 students have signed up for membership in the HAWK Link program at orientations during the summer, while more were expected to sign up during the two events.
Juan Izaguirre, HAWK Link program director, said the program was founded in 1998 to help keep multicultural students coming back to the University after their freshman years. Izaguirre said that most recently HAWK Link added a sophomore transition program, which would ease sophomores into their junior and senior years.
Photo by Whitney Kimball
KANSAN
From left: Jackie Love Olathe senior, Gina Gay, Leawood junior and Cydney Gaines, Bellevue, Neb. junior dance to the tunes at "Take Over the Beach," Wednesday night on Wescoe Beach. The annual event put on by HawkLink included booths from clubs and organizations, games, prizes, and live entertainment.
HAWK Link attracted multicultural student organizations to publicize events and issues at Take Over The Beach. Those that showed up included the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Black Student Union, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, NPHC and others.
Amanda Ostgulen, New Student Orientation special projects assistant and Lenexa senior, said the Office of Multicultural Affairs has supported the HAWK Link program for many years to help ease the transition for first year multicultural students.
“These events are very important to the Hawk Week schedule,” Ostgulen said. “We are always excited to have their programs included in Hawk Week because they are very important to the University and they help promote diversity on campus.”
Ostgulen said the events were also useful as a social transition for new and returning students.
Jonathan Lathan, Omaha, Neb., freshman, used the block party on Tuesday night as such. Lathan attended the block party after he finished moving into his residence hall and said the event was meaningful to him as a new out-of-state student.
“This is a good chance to meet new people,” Lathan said. “I didn’t know anyone coming here when I got here, but then I met a new group of people.”
Kansan staff writer Courtney Hagen can be contacted at chagen@kansan.com.
—Edited by Travis Robinett
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