Tradition continues with international banquet
The community will gather together Wednesday for a night of food and entertainment at this year’s International Banquet.
“The banquet is beautiful,” said Negar Davis, director of the International Students and Scholars Office. “Students, campus staff and members of the community all come together to put this [banquet] on.”
Davis said the banquet has been a tradition at Utah State University for more than 10 years. The banquet’s theme this year is “Different Faces, Same Smile,” portraying the idea that all people are one people.
The evening will include ethnic food served buffet style from 12 countries, Davis said. Much of the food will be prepared by international students attending Utah State University. Participants at the banquet are encouraged to try all of the different kinds of foods, but are also welcome to pick and choose.
The banquet also includes dancers and performers from Africa, Asia and South America. This year, for the first time, Polynesian dancers will participate in the program, Davis said. All of the performers are from USU groups and organizations.
“Every year is so different. The students are different, the talents are different and each banquet is special,” Davis said.
The production of this banquet is dependent upon the efforts of many offices, contributors and volunteers, Davis said. The evening is sponsored by the International Student Council and months of workhave gone into planning this event. There are many details involved in such a production and many committees have worked hard to make the International Banquet a success, Davis said. This has been a community project that would not have been possible without the help of all those involved, she said.
“The banquet is for everybody, both students and those in the community,” Davis said. “We have many talented performers and anyone wishing to be involved is welcome.”
The International Banquet will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom. Tickets will be sold at the TSC Ticket Office or at the USU Ticket Office. Tickets are limited, are expected to sell out and will not be sold at the door.