‘Culture Fest: Reloaded’ celebrates vibrant campus community  

The second annual Culture Fest – themed “Culture Fest: Reloaded” – invited all Augusta University students to immerse themselves in a vibrant celebration of AU’s campus community on Saturday, March 29. Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement, this year’s event drew an impressive 551 registered attendees and marked a significant milestone for this growing tradition. 

The first Culture Fest took place in Fall 2023 and was intentionally scheduled early in the semester to foster connections and increase awareness of student organizations. While the second event was initially planned for Fall 2024, it was postponed to Spring 2025 due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. 

“Culture Fest is a day festival that brings attention to our identity-based student organizations on campus, along with creating a community where students can get together and foster a sense of belonging,” said Tori Johnson, MSE coordinator.  

According to Johnson, the event is accessible and popular among students as they can attend alongside friends and experience new cultures together. On the Health Sciences Field, students explored international food, danced along to performances and participated in interactive booths with tooth gems and henna. Of the student organizations in attendance, some included LAMBDA, National Council of Negro Women, CaribSA, Black Women in Medicine, Jewish Student Association, Indian Cultural Exchange and MESA.  

The first 300 students received a free T-shirt, with stickers and friendship bracelets also available. This year’s “Culture Fest: Reloaded” T-shirt featured the Augusta downtown skyline on the front and AU organizations with their corresponding first-ever meeting date on the back. 

“We are an increasingly global society, and a part of college is being aware of that but also feeling comfortable in your own interactions,” said Shareen Clement, EdD, director of MSE. “Culture Fest is a great example of how students can engage in a very low-risk but highly rewarding environment.” 

Overall, the Culture Fest event aims to increase student awareness of campus resources and the specific offices that create a sense of belonging on campus. If a student is aware of their resources, they are able to seek them out later in the semester, said Clement. 

Several organizations used the event to grow membership numbers. Ananya Bagur, a third-year kinesiology major and AU Sharkara member, explained that the Bollywood dance fusion team aims to express, share and inform on Indian culture. 

“We tabled at Culture Fest to spread the word that we exist on campus and that we would love for people to join,” said Bagur. “Everyone is welcome, and we’re just here to have fun!” 

Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. also spread the word of their Latina-based but not Latina-exclusive sorority, which promotes cultural awareness, academic excellence and leadership and sisterhood. 

“At the end of the day, we want everyone to embrace culture,” said Ellie Azotea, an SIA founder. “This is Culture Fest, and we want everyone to embrace not only the Latina culture but others, as well.” 

MSE will continue to celebrate cultural heritage with the APIDA Night Market on April 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Health Sciences Field on the Health Sciences Campus. The night market will showcase Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American communities ahead of APIDA Heritage Month, which is officially celebrated in May.