UW-Madison Multicultural Reception
An intro to campus life
An intro to campus life
By Laura Salinger
Unfettered energy filled the Wisconsin Union Theater on Sept. 5 as a
large crowd gathered for one of UW-Madison’s most popular student
orientations: MCOR.
Students from diverse backgrounds gathered to kick off the school year
with unbridled enthusiasm that first week of school. The nearly packed theater
reverberated with laughter, stomping feet, and rousing applause as University
diversity leaders, and later a barrage of talented cultural performers, took to
the stage during the much-anticipated event.
The Multicultural Orientation Reception, better known as MCOR, aims to
bring students of color together and introduce them to campus life and
resources. Organized by the Multicultural Student Center (MSC), the event is
now in it’s 27th year and features an academic resource fair, multicultural
performances, a multicultural student organization fair, and a late-night dance
in Memorial Union’s Great Hall.
“MCOR is the catalyst for introducing and integrating students of color into
the University,” MSC Director Candace McDowell said. “It is a great beginning
to helping students find resources, meet new friends, and find their niche on
campus.”
Unfettered energy filled the Wisconsin Union Theater on Sept. 5 as a
large crowd gathered for one of UW-Madison’s most popular student
orientations: MCOR.
Students from diverse backgrounds gathered to kick off the school year
with unbridled enthusiasm that first week of school. The nearly packed theater
reverberated with laughter, stomping feet, and rousing applause as University
diversity leaders, and later a barrage of talented cultural performers, took to
the stage during the much-anticipated event.
The Multicultural Orientation Reception, better known as MCOR, aims to
bring students of color together and introduce them to campus life and
resources. Organized by the Multicultural Student Center (MSC), the event is
now in it’s 27th year and features an academic resource fair, multicultural
performances, a multicultural student organization fair, and a late-night dance
in Memorial Union’s Great Hall.
“MCOR is the catalyst for introducing and integrating students of color into
the University,” MSC Director Candace McDowell said. “It is a great beginning
to helping students find resources, meet new friends, and find their niche on
campus.”
“I am so excited to be part of trying to make this a more inclusive, excellent environment for each and everyone of you at UW-Madison. I come here only
with service in my heart.”
While MCOR strives to set the tone for a positive campus experience by creating a sense of community and connecting students of color with resources, it is
also a night to celebrate cultural diversity. A variety of performers took to the stage to showcase their talents and cultures.
Christina Bokas, a third-year law student and member of the Nanticoke Indian tribe, performed an intricate hoop dance utilizing up to 27 hoops. The crowd
cheered as Christina encircled her body with traditional hoops, only to unfold herself and reveal formations of flowers, an eagle, a butterfly, and the globe.
Performers from the First Wave Spoken Word and Urban Arts Learning Community took to the stage with powerful and reflective spoken word performances. This
cutting-edge multicultural artistic program for incoming students, now in its second year, was the first university program in the country centered on spoken word
and hip-hop culture.
Son Mudanza performed Son Jaracho music, a genre originating in the Veracruz region of Mexico. The group uses poetry, dance and music to express
political and social commentary, while promoting liberation, social change, and community. As they performed, a slideshow behind them revealed images of
social resistance, Mexican leaders, and members of Mexican social movements.
Other performances included African dance by the African Students Association (ASA), gospel music from the UW Gospel Choir, and the poetic and colorful
dance of Punjab, India performed by the UW Bhangra dance group.
Although MCOR is one of its most popular events, MSC works throughout the school year to create an inclusive environment for students of color at UW-
Madison by providing a number of programs and events. Now in its 20th year, MSC serves, on average, 113 students a day and houses ten multicultural student
organizations.
“On a very large campus like Madison, it is hard to find places to connect,” McDowell said. “MSC’s main purpose is to provide a comfortable environment
for students of color. Students view this as their home away from home.”
with service in my heart.”
While MCOR strives to set the tone for a positive campus experience by creating a sense of community and connecting students of color with resources, it is
also a night to celebrate cultural diversity. A variety of performers took to the stage to showcase their talents and cultures.
Christina Bokas, a third-year law student and member of the Nanticoke Indian tribe, performed an intricate hoop dance utilizing up to 27 hoops. The crowd
cheered as Christina encircled her body with traditional hoops, only to unfold herself and reveal formations of flowers, an eagle, a butterfly, and the globe.
Performers from the First Wave Spoken Word and Urban Arts Learning Community took to the stage with powerful and reflective spoken word performances. This
cutting-edge multicultural artistic program for incoming students, now in its second year, was the first university program in the country centered on spoken word
and hip-hop culture.
Son Mudanza performed Son Jaracho music, a genre originating in the Veracruz region of Mexico. The group uses poetry, dance and music to express
political and social commentary, while promoting liberation, social change, and community. As they performed, a slideshow behind them revealed images of
social resistance, Mexican leaders, and members of Mexican social movements.
Other performances included African dance by the African Students Association (ASA), gospel music from the UW Gospel Choir, and the poetic and colorful
dance of Punjab, India performed by the UW Bhangra dance group.
Although MCOR is one of its most popular events, MSC works throughout the school year to create an inclusive environment for students of color at UW-
Madison by providing a number of programs and events. Now in its 20th year, MSC serves, on average, 113 students a day and houses ten multicultural student
organizations.
“On a very large campus like Madison, it is hard to find places to connect,” McDowell said. “MSC’s main purpose is to provide a comfortable environment
for students of color. Students view this as their home away from home.”
| Performers from various ethnic student groups entertained the incoming freshmen, inviting them to join their respective groups on campus. |
This year’s MCOR theme — “Mind, Body and Soul:
Making Every Experience Count” — impressed upon
students their own role in creating a positive college
Making Every Experience Count” — impressed upon
students their own role in creating a positive college
experience. Damon Williams, recently named Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate, further
stressed this idea in his welcome remarks.
“This experience is going to test the fortitude of your mind, your body, and your soul,”
Williams told students. “This experience is about leadership development.”
As for his new role on campus in this newly expanded position, Williams — a recognized leader
in issues of inclusive excellence, strategic planning for diversity and academic engagement —
had this to say:
stressed this idea in his welcome remarks.
“This experience is going to test the fortitude of your mind, your body, and your soul,”
Williams told students. “This experience is about leadership development.”
As for his new role on campus in this newly expanded position, Williams — a recognized leader
in issues of inclusive excellence, strategic planning for diversity and academic engagement —
had this to say: