APA Heritage Month arose out of a long, overdue

need to honor the contributions and achieve-

ments of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander

ancestry. Before there was a month dedicated

to celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage,

there was Asian Pacific American Heritage Week,

which began in 1978. Representatives Frank

Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of

California introduced the legislation for Asian

Pacific American Week in 1977. Senators Daniel

Iouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced similar

legislation in the Senate in 1977. In 1990, Presi-

dent George Bush signed a proclamation for the

first Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. In

1992, legislation for the month became a law

and now every May is Asian Pacific American

Heritage Month. Asian Pacific Americans current-

ly account for 4 percent of the nation’s overall

popoulation. They have experienced profound

changes in size, ethnic composition, and social

class origin since the first Filipino settlers arrived

in the late 1500s.

WE ARE

Asian Pacific Heritage Month

The Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) is a

student organization that serves as a voice for

the Asian Pacific American (APA) student popula-

tion at George Mason University. APAC consists

of enthusiastic Mason students from diverse

backgrounds and cultures who work together to

promote APA perspectives and heritage year-

round and to show that the participation of APAs

is essential to the growth of the Mason commu-

nity. APAC works to foster positive change now

and in the future on the Mason campus. Involve-

ment on your part will fuel the fire APAC needs

to develop into a strong organization. For more

information, call 703-993-2700.

ODPS serves students, cultural organizations,

and the Mason community by promoting an

environment that fosters and values human

understanding and diversity. The goal of ODPS

is to provide a campus environment where di-

versity is valued, appreciated, and celebrated. In

addition, the office is devoted to increasing the

awareness and knowledge of issues important

to community harmony. For more information,

visit the ODPS website at http://odps.gmu.edu.

APAC

ODPS

The Prelude: APA Heritage Month

Kick-off – Check the Mike

7:00 – 11:00 p.m., SUB I Patriot Lounge

At its core, art is the purest form of resistance.

“Check the Mike” and hear the voices of under-

represented individuals through poetry, music,

and the raw power of self-expression. Whether

coming to perform or to listen, the culminating

event of APA Heritage month invites all to come

out and not only witness, but experience the

phenomenon of “spoken word.”

Sponsored by the Asian Pacific American

Coalition (APAC).

THURSAPRIL 1

WEEK ONE

Filipino Cultural Night

7:30 p.m., Harris Theatre

The biggest cultural event presented by the

Filipino Cultural Association at GMU each year,

the evening features Filipino American culture,

history of the Philippines, dialogue about issues,

and folk and modern dances.

Sponsored by the Filipino Cultural

Association (FCA).

SATAPRIL 3

Chinatown International Week Program

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Chesapeake Residential Area

This university-wide event features Chinese

culture and the Confucius Institute and seeks to

engage both international and local students.

There will be Chinese food, games, demonstra-

tions, and prizes!

Sponsored by Housing & Residence Life, Confu-

cius Institute, Center for Asia-Pacific Economic

Cooperation, ODPS, and Student Activities.

Japanese Play – “Urashima Taro”

6:30 p.m., Johnson Center Dewbery Hall (North)

A Japanese tale about a fisherman who rescues

a troubled turtle and is rewarded for his benevo-

lent act with an invitation to the Dragon King’s

palace under the sea.

Sponsored by Dr. Sufumi So, Department of

Modern and Classical Languages.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Lunch

– diversity of Asian foods and music

11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Southside Dining Hall

Mason Money or Meal Plan

Sponsored by Mason Dining Services

MONAPRIL 5

FRIAPRIL 9

WEEK TWO

Cultural Dance Showcase

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Harris Theater

Event features Hawaii, Asian Indian, Chinese Taiji,

Mongolia Dance, Vietnamese Dance, Bolivian

Dance, Guzheng, and Korean dance perfor-

mances.

Sponsored by the Office of Diversity Programs &

Services (ODPS), and New World Bilingual

Institute (NWBI)

Vietnamese Cultural Night

6:00 p.m., Lee High School Spring Field

VSA has put together many great acts, skits, per-

formances and dances that will capture Vietnam-

ese culture showing how the past has influences

our lives today. It will be an exciting adventure

and a true learning experience for all.

Sponsored by the Vietnamese Student Associa-

tion (VSA)

“Asian Americans Can Jump”: 3-on-3 Men and

Women’s Basketball Tournament

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mason RAC

For registration, contact:

Lillian Nguyen at lnguyef@gmu.edu

Sponsored by the ODPS

SATAPRIL 10

SUNAPRIL 11

Discussion Forum, “Introduction to Buddhism”

3:30 – 5:00 p.m., Johnson Center 3rd

Floor Meeting Room G

How does an eastern philosophy see the roots of

individual happiness and social issues?

Sponsored by Value Creation Society

Chinese Karaoke Night

7:00pm, SUB II Meeting Room 5, 6, 7

The Chinese Student Scholar Association brings

you the popular Karaoke on campus! Thousands

of Chinese songs (Mandarin and Cantonese) you

can choose or bring your own favorites. Show

your singing talent and enjoy an evening of

culture and entertainment.

www.gmu.edu/org/China

FRIAPRIL 16

WEEK THREE

Walk America/March for Babies

9:00 a.m. (Registration), 10:00 a.m. (Start),

Reston Town Center

Every year all around the country March for

Babies organizes a Walk to raise money for

premature babies and babies with birth defects.

The money goes to research for treatment and

preventative care for these infants. We invite

everyone to participate, donate as little as a dol-

lar, or walk for the cause. For more information

please contact:

Aara Canlas (acanlas1@gmu.edu)

Mason Hsu (mhsu1@gmu.edu)

SUNAPRIL 18

Provost Tea (invitation only)

4:00p.m.

Provost Peter Stearns will facilitate this discus-

sion with Asian and Asian American students.

The focus is on Asian and Asian American stu-

dent affairs at Mason.

Sponsored by the Provost’s Office,

University Life, and ODPS.

APA Student Game Room Social

6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.

SUB I Game Room

It’s Game Room Night! Take time out from your

studies and educational APA Heritage Month

events to relax, meet new people, and have fun.

Sponsored by the Asian Pacific American

Coalition (APAC)

WEDAPRIL 21

THURSAPRIL 22

WEEK FOUR

APAHM Conference

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Enterprise Hall

Through a collection of workshops that coin-

cide with this year’s theme of “The Crossroads”,

APA organizations come together to share with

students the similarities and differences among

various Asian cultures as well as issues Asian

and Asian American students currently face.

The conference encourages the education and

involvement of students in gaining a deeper ap-

preciation for other cultures and their own.

Sponsored by Asian Pacific American

Coalition (APAC)

Pakistan Students Association (PSA)

Annual Spring Formal

7:30p.m. – 11:00p.m., JC, Dewberry Hall

This event will feature talents of Pakistani men,

and there will be a Mr. PSA Pageant. Election

results will be announced for the new President

and Vice President.

Sponsored by Pakistan Students Association

SATMAY 1

APAHM Fest

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Mason Concert Hall

A musically diverse event that celebrates Asian

and Asian American artists from aross the nation.

For more information go to:

www.apahmfest.com

FRIMAY 7

WEEK FIVE

APA Senior Banquet

7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The annual APA Senior Banquet is in honor of

the academic achievements of our graduating

senior class. All are welcome to celebrate this

milestone over dinner and a showcase of cul-

tural student performances.

Sponsored by the Asian Pacific American

Coalition (APAC).

For more information go to:

www. facebook.com/GMU-APAHM

SATMAY 8

ODPS.GMU.EDUVisit:

for event updates, location changes and to see more information.

PRESENTED BY

Shaoxian Yu

Kris CelesteChris SungaTamara Day

Vincent Lacsamana, Executive ChairIvy Te, Vice ChairAimee Pangan, SecretaryLillian Nguyen, TreasurerEmmanuel Gozum, Webmaster

Christy Orr, The Circle for Japanese Interests RepresentativeMike Pippa, FCA RepresentativeAimee Pangan, Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority RepresentativePaul Kim, KSA RepresentativeJeannie Tran, VSA RepresentativeYasser Ansari, PSA Representative

Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC)Pakistan Student Association (PSA)Chinese Student & Scholar Association (CSSA)Filipino Cultural Association (FCA)*Vietnamese Student Association (VSA)Korean Student Association (KSA)Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. (KPL)Department of Modern and Classical LanguagesMason Dining ServicesNew World Bilingual Institute (NWBI)Value Creation SocietyProvost OfficeUniversity LifeHousing & Residence LifeThe Confucius InstituteCenter for Asian-Pacific Economic CooperationStudent Activities

ODPS

EVENTS PRODUCTION

APAC OFFICERS

E-BOARD

ORGANIZATIONS

SPECIAL THANKS