About

Walters State's International Festival began in 2004, organized by student Betsy Hurst and supported by Sarah Risdahl, an advisor and (now retired) associate professor of advanced and developmental education, English. Betsy wanted to share her Costa Rican culture and learn about the backgrounds of other students. The second festival was organized by the International Club and new club sponsor Michelle Mitrik, associate professor of Spanish. The festival has grown over the years from a one-day event on the Morristown campus, to a week-long event on all four campuses.

In October 2020, the festival took place in a virtual format and expanded to the entire month. Going forward, the festival will combine virtual presentations with live events on all campuses. Speakers and a variety of talent, including local and nationally-known individuals and groups, will present throughout the month of October. The festival is free and open to the community with attendance of over one-thousand people each year.

Global Connections and the International Fee, a student-led initiative, fund the festival and organizes international programming throughout the year to better prepare students to participate in the global economy.

For more information, contact Eileen Bowers.