The University’s 37th Annual International Thanksgiving Celebration is November 18

International freshmen and members of the academic community will come together for Syracuse University’s 37th Annual International Thanksgiving Celebration on Thursday, November 18. About 500 members of the university community are expected to participate in the annual tradition this year. The celebration is sponsored by Chancellor’s House and the Center for International Services.

Started by the University in the 1980s by the late Reverend TE Koshy, the celebration aims to introduce new international students to the American Thanksgiving experience. Last year’s dinner took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic; this year’s attendees will gather in the Goldstein Auditorium of the Schine Student Center for the celebration, as tradition has been in previous years.

Students garnish the pumpkin pie with whipped cream during the 2019 International Thanksgiving Celebration.

The meal, provided by Food Services, is served in a family style and will include traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Table hosts (faculty, staff, and community members) will engage in conversation with attendees and answer questions about Thanksgiving history and traditions.

“The International Thanksgiving Dinner was a meaningful and enriching experience for the Syracuse University community,” said Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, who will co-host the celebration with the director of the Center for International Services. Juan Tavares. “As a former international student myself, I can appreciate the opportunity for new international students to experience an American tradition by sharing a truly American vacation in a welcoming and supportive environment.”

“I have fond memories of my first Thanksgiving dinner when I was invited to Chicago to visit my friend’s parents,” Tavares says. “The wonderful experience was not so much about the food as it was about the reasons to celebrate, to count the blessings on us, to share with the family and to learn the initial reasons that brought the settlers and indigenous people together as they shared generously. their fruitful harvest. The 37-year tradition of the League in organizing this dinner testifies to our commitment to bring together people of different cultures and to share kindly a meal and fellowship.

Invitations to the celebration were sent to international first year students. For questions or more information, contact Kelley Champa at 315.443.4439 or [email protected].