Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States in May. This celebration focuses on achievements and contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States.
The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE) will conclude Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with an AAPI End-of-Year Celebration on Wednesday, May 8, from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms. Join the celebration and help honor AAPI students, faculty and staff.
AAPI Heritage Month traces its roots to 1978 when Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution to celebrate Asian American Heritage Week, with the first 10 days of May were reserved for celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander culture and people. Those dates were chosen because two important anniversaries fall during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad by many Chinese laborers on May 10, 1869. In 1991 the week was expanded upon and May was officially designated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Elon’s year-end celebration will start with faculty and staff service awards and student awards. There are four student awards: Asian Studies Awards, Academic Excellence, Student Honor Awards and Student Superlatives. Asian Studies Awards are for seniors enrolled in the Asian Studies minor. Academic Excellence is students with the highest GPA in their class year. The Student Honor Awards celebrate students nominated by their peers who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, mentorship and service to the community.
The celebration will also include recognition of the members of the Class of 2024 with a stole ceremony for graduating seniors and a Charge to Students offered by an outgoing senior. Lastly, there will also be a musical performance by Music Theatre students.