Auburn recognizes, celebrates Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Though it is nationally recognized in May 2022, Auburn will host an early celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander, or API, Heritage Month and honor the history, culture and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans while the campus community is still engaged for the spring semester.

Throughout American history, those with API heritage have contributed to making a more diverse and vibrant American society. This month serves as a reminder of these achievements and a time to reflect on how society can continue to break down the barriers these individuals face in America.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated every May to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the U.S. on May 7, 1842, and the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was primarily built by Chinese immigrants. This year at Auburn, there are several events leading up to the month for students and other members of the Auburn Community to celebrate and learn more about API culture in America.

April 2

K-Pop Party
5-8 p.m. | Telfair B. Peet Theatre
Hosted by the Korea Center and King Sejong Institute

April 12

Brown Bag Lunch Series on Taiwan: Guest Speaker: Dr. Jason Chang
12:30-2 p.m. | Melton Student Center Room 2222/2223
Hosted by the Office of International Programs

April 14

Brown Bag Lunch Series on Taiwan: Guest Speaker: Kai-jing Liu
12:30-2 p.m. | Melton Student Center Room 2222/2223
Hosted by the Office of International Programs

April 15

Korean Arts & Crafts Classes: Calligraphy
3:30-4:30 p.m. | Korea Center 244 Foy Hall
Hosted by the Korea Center and King Sejong Institute

April 19

Exploring Asian American and Pacific Islander Month in the Cross Cultural Center for Excellence
All day | 2103 Melton Student Center
Hosted by the Cross-Cultural Center for Excellence

April 30 

Korea Fest
9 a.m.-4 p.m.| Kiesel Park
Hosted by Auburn City Fest

If anyone is interested in joining a relevant student group or want to learn more about API heritage, they can visit the Cross-Cultural Center for Excellence.

To learn more about Auburn’s events and initiatives from this past year, along with information on Auburn’s commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive campus community and other notes of cultural recognition, please visit the Office of Inclusion and Diversity’s website, Instagram page and Auburn’s DEI landing page, or sign up for the OID newsletter.