At Illinois State, we are proud of our diverse student body. Every day, Redbirds grow by meeting and learning about new people, places, and cultures!
Illinois State has plenty of events to help get you immersed in diversity. Here are just a few of the ways Illinois State will inspire you to cross social borders and expand your worldview:
INTERNATIONAL FAIR
Go around the world in just one day, without even stepping off campus! The International Fair at Illinois State brings students and the community together to celebrate cultures of the world with food, cultural wares, and live entertainment.
CULTURAL DINNERS
How would you like to have dinner with film and TV stars like America Ferrera, Kal Penn, or Rosario Dawson? Meet journalists Laura Ling and Don Lemon?
A student poses with CNN anchor Don Lemon at a recent Cultural Dinner.
The Illinois State Cultural Dinner series is a prime example of what we mean of how a large university can feel small. You can join University Housing Services for a fantastic meal and presentation from leaders representing the Latino, Indian, Black, Asian, LGBTQ, Native American and other communities. This is the perfect chance to get closer than you thought possible to inspirational figures as they share their life experiences, bring light to cultural issues, offer advice, and answer your questions.
The food, prepared by award-winning Campus Dining Services chefs, is sure to be delicious as well!
A performer at ISU Pride’s charity Drag Show.
PRIDE DRAG SHOW
Every year Illinois State’s LGBT student organization PRIDE puts on a charity Drag Show featuring student and professional performers. This event was an instant hit with the Redbird community when it first debuted 16 years ago. Now you can see some of the most talented drag performers in Illinois while supporting local LGBT organizations with 100 percent of ticket sales.
“Very few universities offer large-scale LGBT-themed events, and we’re fortunate to have Illinois State be so supportive of LGBT culture,” said Mary Patterson, a member of ISU PRIDE.
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
Each year FLAME (Feminist-Led Movement to Empower) leads the Illinois State campus in a march to Take Back the Night for victims of sexual assault and violence.
The event begins with a rally, followed by a march around the town as students speak out against sexual and domestic violence. The night concludes with a candlelight vigil, followed by a chance for participants to share their stories in a safe, gender-neutral environment.
Contact the STATEside editor at rmdenha@IllinoisState.edu.
