Lunar New Year Gala

Lunar New Year—

Continued from Front Page nese student community is a very unique experience for me,” Ding said. “One thing I’m feeling very grateful for is that Grinnell has always been very supportive of these events to celebrate our identity.”

As international students, Ding and Wang echoed the importance of celebrating Lunar New Year with the Grinnell community. “Chinese Lunar New Year is the most important festival in Chinese culture. And for this festival, we often stay together with our family, but since we are international students, we do not have the opportunity to do so because our families are all far away from us,” Ding said.

Students and other members of the Grinnell community were able to attend the gala on Feb. 4, even if they do not normally celebrate Lunar New Year. “I think as Asian and international students our cultures are sometimes ignored.

So, if more domestic students get involved in this event, they will learn about different internation- al student groups and get interested in their cultures,” Ding said.

The event included student performances and a taste of traditional Chinese food. Many different food stations were organized, including boba tea, tangyan (a traditional Chinese dessert prepared for Lunar New Year) and other foods the CSA ordered from Szechuan House in Iowa City. Attendees also participated in games, learned about the traditional Chinese New Year and watched student performances.

The option to perform was open to all attendees. “It’s okay if someone wants to go to the stage and perform something, I think that’s definitely okay,” said Ding.

Despite the many steps it took to organize, publicize and gather food and decorations for the gala, Ding and Wang said they are very eager to celebrate with the larger Grinnell community.

According to Ding, “the most exciting part is that Chinese students and students in the Asian community can connect in this festival and come together to celebrate our cultures.”

Rachel Bly `93 to be new Vice President of Auxilary Services

ference operations department, Bly said she has been looking forward to the building of the Civic Engagement Quad (CEQ) in downtown Grinnell and improved living conditions in current dorms.

“This may sort of allow me to give back in a slightly different way, a deeper way,” Bly said about her new responsibilities at the college.

“It is a full circle sort of moment.”

Over the past 30 years, she has worked her way through the financial aid office, alumni relations and conference operations. In her new position, she will oversee dining and catering services, mail services, the Pioneer Bookshop, conference operations and events and the Grinnell College Golf Course.

By Kailee Shermak shermakk@grinnell.edu

Rachel Bly `93 officially filled the open role as vice president of auxiliary services at Grinnell College on Jan. 1 after she fulfilled the responsibilities in interim. A long-standing member of the con-

Bly said she is particularly excited about the CEQ and its role in integrating the community more in the life of the students. After living downtown for the past 20 years and serving on the city council, she said she has both the College’s and city’s perspective on this development, and she expects it to be an exciting interaction between them both.

“My goal always has just been to have a positive impact on the institution,” Bly said.

Along with town-college integration, Bly mentioned accessibility improvements and air-conditioned additions within the on-campus dorms.

“I have a kid in college who does not have awesome living quarters, so I am uniquely aware of the struggles,” she said.

Bly’s career at Grinnell College began long before her recent promotion. During her time as a student, she worked in the Dining Hall and the Pioneer Bookshop. At the time, construction of the Alumni Recitation Hall was just beginning and her tutorial class was held in the basement of Mears Cottage.

“If you would have asked me as a student at Grinnell College if I thought I would still be here … I would have said ‘no way,’” Bly said.

Bly said that her passion for the students and staff has kept her at Grinnell College through the upcoming 30th reunion of her graduation class this summer. The ever-changing atmosphere within conference operations has also contributed to the length of her career at the College, according to Bly.

“Things are never dull,” Bly said. “I learn something new every day here.”