U of A International Culture Team Recognizes Members in Awards Ceremony

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The University of Arkansas International Culture Team held their annual awards and recognition Celebration on April 23 at the Millar Lodge at the Mount Sequoia Retreat Center, where international students were recognized for their work during the school year.

"It was a special night honoring and recognizing 50 undergraduate and graduate students from 28 countries," said Cynthia Smith, organizer for the International Culture Team and assistant director for outreach for the U of A office of International Students and Scholars. "These dynamic members helped bring the world to the campus and community this school year through cultural presentations, demonstrations, and performances."

Members of the team made over 500 presentations in school festivals, at campus events and in the Northwest Arkansas community. Indonesia was named Country of the Year in recognition of the commitment, enthusiasm and leadership of Indonesian students during this academic year.

The following is the list of recipients of special awards and scholarships given out at the event:

• ICT Outstanding Member Scholarship Awardee: Eva Stephani Caroline
• ICT Outstanding New Member Scholarship: Luciana Rojas Iriarte
• ICT Spirit Award: Firuze Soltani
• Arkansas Traveler Award by the Governor: Abigeal Omolewu, Abril Nina, Ali Meesum, Alvaro Medina, Anatolii Nezgoduk, Andi Asnayanti, Andrea Sierra Mejia, Arineeta Deb, Astrid Gonzalez Moreno, Chengyue Pan, Chuan Yaw Lim, Daphine Akot, Dodi Zain, Dorcas Akorlor, Duru Erkan, Elaine Batista, Elisangela Pereira De Brito, Elizabeth Gamboa, Eva Stephani Caroline, Firuze Soltani, Francia Ravelombola, Gamuchirai Kamwenje, Hyejung Jung, Iana Ruheta Wase, JiWon Yu, Julio Morales Lara, Kisa Matsubara, Luciana Rojas Iriarte, Maggie McLemore, Maria Fernanda Mayorga Echeverria, Maria Jose Omodeo, Mark Michaelis, Motolani Matthew, Nasser Alnasser, Nghi Ngo, Obed Johnson, Ryan Moh, Sandra Decaigny, Shantal Sarmiento, Shemsa Ndahiro Iribagiza, Shivani Merchant, Shu Wen Yeong, Suellen Ayala, Sullany Ayala Rojas, Trang Do, Tucker Onishi, Ugochi Isu, Vitali Maldonado, Walkiris Mejia Ortega
• ICT Scholarship Awardees: Firuze Soltani, Nghi (Sally) Ngo, Astrid Gonzalez Moreno, Shivani Merchant, Trang Do, Julio Morales Lara, Maria Fernanda Mayorga Echeverria, Daphine Akot, Andrea Sierra, Elisangela Pereira de Brito, Arineeta Deb, Uyen Thi My Ho, Vitali Maldonado, Dorcas Akorlor, Francia Ravelombola

Two members, Uyen Thi My Ho and Alfredo Perez Ramirez, received the ICT Training Completion Certificate, along with 30 others who were previously recognized. Caitleen Petit and Adedolapo Ogungbire received the International Culture Team Award for presenting once per semester. In total, over 150 presenters participated on the team this academic year.

About the International Culture Team: The International Culture Team is a group of international students, scholars and friends who are eager to share about their cultures through presentations, cooking, displays, clothing, and performances. The International Culture Team's goal is to bring the world to our campus and community and develop a community that seeks to learn from each other. If you would like members of this team to visit your classroom, present at a university or community event, contact Cynthia Smith at ict@uark.edu or 479-575-6665