CLEVELAND, Tenn. — International diversity was celebrated Tuesday on the campus of Cleveland State Community College.
The third annual Culture Fair began with a march across campus with students carrying dozens of flags from nations represented on campus and led by Marine Staff Sgt. Colt Miller with the U.S. flag.
During the opening ceremony, Cleveland State President Dr. Carl Hite said that “our world is changing.”
“It’s obvious the diversity of this community the last 10 or 15 years has changed remarkably and in the right direction,” he said. “We are pleased we have so many students from other parts of the world we can learn from.”
The city’s German population is growing ahead of a move to Cleveland by German chemical company Wacker. There are Russian-speaking residents and strains of Hispanic and Latino cultures. Cleveland City Schools has more than 200 children representing 24 languages, school officials said.
Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis said Tuesday’s event celebrates “a very diverse culture here, all throughout the United States and including Cleveland and Bradley County.”
The opening ceremony was followed by musicians, dancers, international and local food and exhibits highlighting the cultures represented by people who live here.
Entertainment included St. Therese Catholic Church Spanish Youth Dancers, the Barker Brothers Band, Bradley Collins and a traditional dress fashion show. Sylvia Idom, Finn Bille and Judy Barker told stories at the campus library.
“We have so much diversity in our community and this is our opportunity to celebrate and share those cultures with one another,” said Jana Pankey, chairwoman of the Culture Fair.
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