In the third week of spring quarter 2025, Associated Students of Walla Walla University hosted the second annual Multicultural Fair in the Winter Educational Complex. This fair, hosted by ASWWU Diversity and WWU Office of Diversity and Inclusion, is one of the many ways WWU celebrates and honors the diversity of students that make up the WWU community.
Students, faculty and community members were invited to participate in the event by wearing clothing that represented their cultural backgrounds while enjoying food served by various clubs and individuals on campus. Once the food had been served, guests were invited to participate in a flag march ceremony. Anyone who wished could grab one of the many flags lining the walls of the gym and join the parade.
After the flag march, the audience enjoyed cultural performances including a Mexican folklore dance, a hula and a Fawn Tian — a Thai Candle Dance where a performer holds lit candles and gracefully moves around lit candles on the ground, twisting their arms and wrists while keeping the candles upright.
Andres Anaya, senior product design major and ASWWU Diversity and Wellness officer, developed the idea for this event during his freshman year. What began as a small thought turned into a beloved event, and Anaya believes WWU is the perfect place for it.
“Global traditions and cultures are what make up the fabric of the diverse student body WWU has, and it’s beautiful to see how WWU is a place that not only invites global cultures, but also supports and embraces them,” said Anaya.
Abel Biruk, Black Student Christian Forum president, was part of the team that helped plan and set up the gym for the fair. Biruk felt especially proud of this year's event, bringing members of his own family to WWU to serve Ethiopian food for attendees to enjoy.
Both Anaya and Biruk see this event growing into something much bigger. Anaya said, “I hope these last two years have laid the foundation for an annual Multicultural Fair that this community can look forward to every single year. I would love to come back and see this event continuing at its fullest potential.”
To read more about the start of the Multicultural Fair, check out this story.
Thai Candlelight dance, also known as Fawn Tian.
