Mercer Asia will be celebrating the Chinese New Year at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in Penfield Hall. The undergraduate student organization will host a campus-wide Lunar New Year dinner with free food, prizes and fun performances. During Lunar New Year, Asian families come together to share meals, wish each other good fortune and celebrate the coming year, according to Mercer Asia representatives. They want to create that same experience for Mercer’s Lunar New Year attendees and their members while helping them to learn more about Asian cultures.

‘Mercer Mondays’ February podcast lineup

Up first is a discussion of microaggressions. This conversation is a follow-up to the Jan. 31 webinar featuring scholar and author Dr. Derald Sue from Columbia University. This edition of the “Mercer Mondays” podcast is scheduled to drop Feb. 7 and will highlight student conversations detailing the impact of microaggressions and the importance of microinterventions and microaffirmations.

The Black History Month Edition of the “Mercer Mondays” podcast is scheduled to drop Feb. 14. This episode will highlight QuadWorks’ slate of Black History Month events, including a co-sponsored event with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion scheduled for Feb. 15 with Pastor Paul Little of Bibb Mount Zion Church in the Connell Student Center, Conference Room 3. We will also discuss Feb. 28’s Black History Month Cookout and what it means to be invited to a cookout in pop culture terms, as well as how we can all be better allies, accomplices and co-conspirators.

Listen to “Mercer Mondays” on Spotify.

Equity through study abroad

Let’s talk about how the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship are helping to diversify the international education arena.

The Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship application is due Feb. 14. Recipients of the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship will explore conflict and injustice from various perspectives and the leaders who sought to effect positive change for their communities and their countries. Fellows will return to America with new perspectives on how effective leaders influence positive social change and be inspired to be the catalyst for positive change in their communities and in our world. This fellowship is a fully funded summer study abroad program designed for students of color as part of CIEE’s commitment to open doors for all students from all backgrounds, according to the Fellowships & Scholarships Newsletter published by Dr. David Davis, director of Fellowships and Scholarships. Our very own 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Student Excellence Award Recipient, Cam Wade, was a previous Frederick Douglass Global Fellow. Apply today. What are you waiting for? Many of you ask how to get involved. Here is another opportunity to explore the world challenging diversity, equity, inclusion, access and justice on a global scale.

The Gilman Scholarship enables American students to gain proficiency in diverse languages and cultures — skills that are critically important to their academic and career development. The Gilman Scholarship can be used to study abroad in-person or virtually this year with awards ranging from $5,000 to $8,000. The Gilman Scholarship seeks to provide access to study abroad opportunities to undergraduate American students who have demonstrated financial need and has supported students who are historically underrepresented in education abroad, including but not limited to first-generation college students, ethnic minority students and students with disabilities. The application deadline is March 1. To begin the application process, make an appointment with Emily Dunn in the Office of International Programs. Our very own DEI ambassador Kennia Kirksey will be going to Israel during Spring Break as one of the 21 fall recipients of the scholarship.

Give blood and save lives

You have three opportunities to give blood this month. Donors may be eligible for an Amazon gift card.

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 9
Where: The Tubman Museum, 310 Cherry St., Macon
Details: Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org. Enter “Tubman.”

Where: Penfield Hall at Mercer University in Macon
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 10
Details: Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org. Enter “Mercer.”

Where: Vineville United Methodist Church, 2045 Vineville Ave., Macon
When: 12:30-6 p.m.
Details: Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org. Enter “31204.”

 

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