18th Annual International Festival - October 2021
Rediscovering the World
The International Festival has in-person and virtual events this year, using Microsoft Teams. Everyone with a Walters State email address may become a member of a Teams event. Others should email Eileen.Bowers@ws.edu at least two hours in advance of an event.
Admission is free to all events. Look for changes on Walters State's website and social media channels as well as the links provided.
A yellow ticket credit survey will be available for students at the end of virtual events. Actual yellow tickets will be distributed at the end of in-person events.
Morristown Campus | October 2021
Free Admission - Entrada Gratis
Public Welcome - Abierto al Público
Monday October 4, 2021
- Gallery Talk with Michael Giles
12:30-1:30 PM| Morristown Campus Library, Catron Gallery.
Michael Giles is a Venezuelan-American artist working primarily in painting and drawing. The collection of paintings and drawings span his exploration of abstraction during the previous six years.
Monday October 4, 2021
- Cultural Diversity Discussion with Dr. Omid Fotuhi
4-5PM | Morristown Campus, TECH 150.
Why is it so hard to talk about race? Learn more in this introduction to bias.
Link:
Dr Omi Fothi
Tuesday October 5
- Indigenous Peoples Day (otherwise known as Columbus Day)
N/A|
Instagram
Every other Tuesday, Rick Stowe, student activities coordinator, posts trivia questions in the story on the @ws_student_activities Instagram. The questions on this day will be centered around Indigenous Peoples Day. Each week correct answers are logged and the top Trivia Master of the semester earns a prize. Join in as much as you can.
Link:Walters State Student Activities Instagram
Thursday October 7
- TnCIS/Study Abroad Information Session
1:30-2:30 PM| Virtual An information session discussing study abroad and travel scholarship opportunities at Walters State with Dr. Erika Stevens, associate professor of Spanish.
Study Abroad with Dr. Erika Stevens
Thursday October 14
- Mi Cultura
11:15 AM-12:15PM| Virtual RHiTA students will share their Hispanic culture.
Mi Cultura
Tuesday October 19
- Israel - A Tour of the Holy Land
1:50PM-3PM| In-Person and VirtuaClaiborne County Campus, Rooms 075 and 206.
Marlin Curnutt, director of student success at the Claiborne County Campus, fulfilled a lifetime goal by traveling to Israel in early 2020. He will share his experiences and photos from this adventure..
Israel
Wednesday October 20
- This Talk is Literally Going Viral
2PM-3PM| In-Person and Virtual Claiborne County Campus, Rooms 075, 080, 206.
Dr. Sam O'Dell, instructor of biology, will discuss the history of vaccines in the United States beginning with George Washington's mass inoculation of soldiers against small pox during the Revolutionary War to the present-day vaccines for COVID-19.
Viral
Thursday October 21
- Teaching & Traveling The World
3:30 PM| Virtual
Why would someone with no classroom teaching experience move to a foreign country she's never visited to be a teacher? Walters State alumna Rachel Pritchard will share her experiences in South Korea.
Teaching
Monday October 25
- Cultural Views of the afterlife
4:15-530 PM|
Join a discussion of the cultural views of the afterlife with the philosophy department's Bible Discussion Group. This group is open to everyone regardless of religious beliefs and includes students, faculty and staff. Its purpose is to explore the Bible from a variety of philosophical, literary, theological and historical perspectives. This is hosted by Kenneth Hill, assistant professor of English.
Afterlife
Tuesday October 26
- TnCIS/Study Abroad Information Session
11AM-12PM| Virtual
Explore the possibility of taking a college course in a foreign country.
TnCIS
Tuesday October 26
- Skinny Beats African Drum Performance
12:45PM-1:45PM|
2-3PM African drumming workshop with Billy Zanski
In-person Morristown Campus Quad
Billy Zanski, owner of Skinny Beats Sound Shop in Asheville, North Carolina, returns to the International Festival with a performance and workshop on Djembe drums. The goblet drum is played with bare hands and originated in West Africa. The name comes from the saying "Anke dje', anke be'" which translates to "everyone gather together in peace," defining the drum s purpose. Drums will be available to try at the workshop immediately following the performance. In case of inclement weather, activities will be moved to the Student Services Building Lyceum.
For updates
Wednesday October 27
- Understanding Judaism
11:30 AM-12:30PM| Virtual
For updates
- Common Ground Open Mic with Robin Ringer-LaPointe
3:30-4:30PM| In-person and Virtual
Morristown Campus, Student Services Building, Lyceum Cafe.
Join Robin Ringer-LaPointe, associate professor of speech, in "Rediscovering the World" Students are invited to sing a song, deliver a speech, tell a story, share a poem, perform a monologue that encapsulates the essence of this theme. We encourage participants to especially think about how the theme relates culturally. Contact robin.ringer@ws.edu for more information.
Common Ground
Sevier County Campus | October 2021
Free Admission - Entrada Gratis
Public Welcome - Abierto al Público
Monday October 4, 2021
- Cultural Diversity Discussion with Dr. Omid Fotuhi
4-5PM | Morristown Campus, TECH 150.
Why is it so hard to talk about race? Learn more in this introduction to bias.
Link:
Dr Omi Fothi
Tuesday October 5
- Indigenous Peoples Day (otherwise known as Columbus Day)
N/A|
Instagram
Every other Tuesday, Rick Stowe, student activities coordinator, posts trivia questions in the story on the @ws_student_activities Instagram. The questions on this day will be centered around Indigenous Peoples Day. Each week correct answers are logged and the top Trivia Master of the semester earns a prize. Join in as much as you can.
Link:Walters State Student Activities Instagram
Thursday October 7
- TnCIS/Study Abroad Information Session
1:30-2:30 PM| Virtual An information session discussing study abroad and travel scholarship opportunities at Walters State with Dr. Erika Stevens, associate professor of Spanish.
Study Abroad with Dr. Erika Stevens
Thursday October 14
- Mi Cultura
11:15 AM-12:15PM| Virtual RHiTA students will share their Hispanic culture.
Mi Cultura
Thursday October 14
- South America Presentation
4:30 PM| In-Person, Sevier County Campus CAPE 153
South America
Tuesday October 19
- Israel - A Tour of the Holy Land
1:50PM-3PM| In-Person and VirtuaClaiborne County Campus, Rooms 075 and 206.
Marlin Curnutt, director of student success at the Claiborne County Campus, fulfilled a lifetime goal by traveling to Israel in early 2020. He will share his experiences and photos from this adventure..
Israel
Wednesday October 20
- This Talk is Literally Going Viral
2PM-3PM| In-Person and Virtual Claiborne County Campus, Rooms 075, 080, 206.
Dr. Sam O'Dell, instructor of biology, will discuss the history of vaccines in the United States beginning with George Washington's mass inoculation of soldiers against small pox during the Revolutionary War to the present-day vaccines for COVID-19.
Viral
Thursday October 21
- Teaching & Traveling The World
3:30 PM| Virtual
Why would someone with no classroom teaching experience move to a foreign country she's never visited to be a teacher? Walters State alumna Rachel Pritchard will share her experiences in South Korea.
Teaching
Monday October 25
- A Global Community
12 -1:15 PM|
Sevier County CAPE Patio, In-Person Open-mic forum for students.
Rugby Anyone?
4-5 PM|
Sevier County Campus Front Lawn
In-Person - Learn the history and basic rules of Rugby, learn some basic skills and play a game.
Monday October 25
- Cultural Views of the afterlife
4:15-530 PM|
Join a discussion of the cultural views of the afterlife with the philosophy department's Bible Discussion Group. This group is open to everyone regardless of religious beliefs and includes students, faculty and staff. Its purpose is to explore the Bible from a variety of philosophical, literary, theological and historical perspectives. This is hosted by Kenneth Hill, assistant professor of English.
Afterlife
Tuesday October 26
- TnCIS/Study Abroad Information Session
11AM-12PM| Virtual
Explore the possibility of taking a college course in a foreign country.
TnCIS
Tuesday October 26
- International Pumpkins: In-person, Sevier County Campus CAPE Patio
4:15-5:15 PM| Virtual
Pumpkins
Wednesday October 27
- Understanding Judaism
11:30 AM-12:30PM| Virtual
For updates
- Common Ground Open Mic with Robin Ringer-LaPointe
3:30-4:30PM| In-person and Virtual
Morristown Campus, Student Services Building, Lyceum Cafe.
Join Robin Ringer-LaPointe, associate professor of speech, in "Rediscovering the World" Students are invited to sing a song, deliver a speech, tell a story, share a poem, perform a monologue that encapsulates the essence of this theme. We encourage participants to especially think about how the theme relates culturally. Contact robin.ringer@ws.edu for more information.
Common Ground
- A Global Community
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM| In-Person, Sevier County Campus Courtyard
Guided Discussion on Global Culture and Inclusion.
For updates
Thursday October 28:
- International Trivia
2:15 - 3:15 PM|
In-Person, Sevier County Campus, CAPE Dining Room
Trivia
- Knoxville Pipes & Drums
5:30 PM|
In-Person, Sevier County Campus Courtyard
Updates
Niswonger Campus | October 2021
Free Admission - Entrada Gratis
Public Welcome - Abierto al Público
Monday October 4, 2021
- Cultural Diversity Discussion with Dr. Omid Fotuhi
4-5PM | Morristown Campus, TECH 150.
Why is it so hard to talk about race? Learn more in this introduction to bias.
Link:
Dr Omi Fothi
Tuesday October 5
- Indigenous Peoples Day (otherwise known as Columbus Day)
N/A|
Instagram
Every other Tuesday, Rick Stowe, student activities coordinator, posts trivia questions in the story on the @ws_student_activities Instagram. The questions on this day will be centered around Indigenous Peoples Day. Each week correct answers are logged and the top Trivia Master of the semester earns a prize. Join in as much as you can.
Link:Walters State Student Activities Instagram
Thursday October 7
- TnCIS/Study Abroad Information Session
1:30-2:30 PM| Virtual An information session discussing study abroad and travel scholarship opportunities at Walters State with Dr. Erika Stevens, associate professor of Spanish.
Study Abroad with Dr. Erika Stevens
Thursday October 14
- Mi Cultura
11:15 AM-12:15PM| Virtual RHiTA students will share their Hispanic culture.
Mi Cultura
Tuesday October 19
- Israel - A Tour of the Holy Land
1:50PM-3PM| In-Person and VirtuaClaiborne County Campus, Rooms 075 and 206.
Marlin Curnutt, director of student success at the Claiborne County Campus, fulfilled a lifetime goal by traveling to Israel in early 2020. He will share his experiences and photos from this adventure..
Israel
Wednesday October 20
- This Talk is Literally Going Viral
2PM-3PM| In-Person and Virtual Claiborne County Campus, Rooms 075, 080, 206.
Dr. Sam O'Dell, instructor of biology, will discuss the history of vaccines in the United States beginning with George Washington's mass inoculation of soldiers against small pox during the Revolutionary War to the present-day vaccines for COVID-19.
Viral
Thursday October 21
- Teaching & Traveling The World
3:30 PM| Virtual
Why would someone with no classroom teaching experience move to a foreign country she's never visited to be a teacher? Walters State alumna Rachel Pritchard will share her experiences in South Korea.
Teaching
Monday October 25
- Cultural Views of the afterlife
4:15-530 PM|
Join a discussion of the cultural views of the afterlife with the philosophy department's Bible Discussion Group. This group is open to everyone regardless of religious beliefs and includes students, faculty and staff. Its purpose is to explore the Bible from a variety of philosophical, literary, theological and historical perspectives. This is hosted by Kenneth Hill, assistant professor of English.
Afterlife
Tuesday October 26
- TnCIS/Study Abroad Information Session
11AM-12PM| Virtual
Explore the possibility of taking a college course in a foreign country.
TnCIS
Wednesday October 27
- Understanding Judaism
11:30 AM-12:30PM| Virtual
For updates
- Common Ground Open Mic with Robin Ringer-LaPointe
3:30-4:30PM| In-person and Virtual
Morristown Campus, Student Services Building, Lyceum Cafe.
Join Robin Ringer-LaPointe, associate professor of speech, in "Rediscovering the World" Students are invited to sing a song, deliver a speech, tell a story, share a poem, perform a monologue that encapsulates the essence of this theme. We encourage participants to especially think about how the theme relates culturally. Contact robin.ringer@ws.edu for more information.
Common Ground
Claiborne County Campus | October 2021
Free Admission - Entrada Gratis
Public Welcome - Abierto al Público
Monday October 4, 2021
- Cultural Diversity Discussion with Dr. Omid Fotuhi
4-5PM | Morristown Campus, TECH 150.
Why is it so hard to talk about race? Learn more in this introduction to bias.
Link:
Dr Omi Fothi
Tuesday October 5
- Indigenous Peoples Day (otherwise known as Columbus Day)
N/A|
Instagram
Every other Tuesday, Rick Stowe, student activities coordinator, posts trivia questions in the story on the @ws_student_activities Instagram. The questions on this day will be centered around Indigenous Peoples Day. Each week correct answers are logged and the top Trivia Master of the semester earns a prize. Join in as much as you can.
Link:Walters State Student Activities Instagram
Thursday October 7
- TnCIS/Study Abroad Information Session
1:30-2:30 PM| Virtual An information session discussing study abroad and travel scholarship opportunities at Walters State with Dr. Erika Stevens, associate professor of Spanish.
Study Abroad with Dr. Erika Stevens
Thursday October 14
- Mi Cultura
11:15 AM-12:15PM| Virtual RHiTA students will share their Hispanic culture.
Mi Cultura
Tuesday October 19
- Israel - A Tour of the Holy Land
1:50PM-3PM| In-Person and VirtuaClaiborne County Campus, Rooms 075 and 206.
Marlin Curnutt, director of student success at the Claiborne County Campus, fulfilled a lifetime goal by traveling to Israel in early 2020. He will share his experiences and photos from this adventure..
Israel
Wednesday October 20
- This Talk is Literally Going Viral
2PM-3PM| In-Person and Virtua Claiborne County Campus, Rooms 075, 080, 206.
Dr. Sam O'Dell, instructor of biology, will discuss the history of vaccines in the United States beginning with George Washington's mass inoculation of soldiers against small pox during the Revolutionary War to the present-day vaccines for COVID-19.
Viral
Thursday October 21
- Teaching & Traveling The World
3:30 PM| Virtual
Why would someone with no classroom teaching experience move to a foreign country she's never visited to be a teacher? Walters State alumna Rachel Pritchard will share her experiences in South Korea.
Teaching
Monday October 25
- Cultural Views of the afterlife
4:15-530 PM|
Join a discussion of the cultural views of the afterlife with the philosophy department's Bible Discussion Group. This group is open to everyone regardless of religious beliefs and includes students, faculty and staff. Its purpose is to explore the Bible from a variety of philosophical, literary, theological and historical perspectives. This is hosted by Kenneth Hill, assistant professor of English.
Afterlife
Tuesday October 26
- TnCIS/Study Abroad Information Session
11AM-12PM| Virtual
Explore the possibility of taking a college course in a foreign country.
TnCIS
Wednesday October 27
- Understanding Judaism
11:30 AM-12:30PM| Virtual
For updates
- Common Ground Open Mic with Robin Ringer-LaPointe
3:30-4:30PM| In-person and Virtual
Morristown Campus, Student Services Building, Lyceum Cafe.
Join Robin Ringer-LaPointe, associate professor of speech, in "Rediscovering the World" Students are invited to sing a song, deliver a speech, tell a story, share a poem, perform a monologue that encapsulates the essence of this theme. We encourage participants to especially think about how the theme relates culturally. Contact robin.ringer@ws.edu for more information.
Common Ground
Common Ground Open Mic with Robin Ringer LaPointe
Claiborne County Campus Organizers: Regina Shacklefordand Marlin Curnutt
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.
