Nayaf Alluhaiden talks about the unexpected greeting he received from James Harter, assistant vice president of international education, when he first arrived to ESU Tuesday afternoon in Webb Lecture Hall. Alluhaiden received an award for his service to the Saudi Club along with other members who were recognized for their achievements and service to Saudi Club./PHOTO BY KELLEN JENKINS
The Saudi Club hosted its first annual recognition ceremony for its members and contributors Tuesday in Webb Lecture Hall with guests from Saudi organizations and ESU administrators in attendance.
“We came here and we saw a different story than what the media portrays in Saudi Arabia, and we thought that maybe some people wouldn’t like us from what they’ve seen in the media,” said Basmah Albhrawi, clinical psychology graduate student. “We were wrong though. The picture we get from each other is what we should be looking at, not what we’re shown in the media.”
The Saudi Club was established in 2006 to communicate with national and international students that go to Emporia State.
“Gaining an understanding between our cultures can only help lead to peaceful resolutions to problems,” said Michael Lane, ESU president. “These students share their culture with us through their club.”
The ceremony began with the presentation of awards for Lane and his wife on behalf of the Saudi Club. Mohammed Alomar, cultural attaché assistant of the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, attended the ceremony as an honorary guest.
“We have more than 17,000 students from Saudi Arabia attending college in the United States,” Alomar said. “We want them to share in the culture, the social events and of course the educational aspect of the United States.”
Jonathan Krueger, junior political science major and 2009-2010 Associated Student Government president, commented on the cultural and social understanding that the Saudi Club has brought to ESU.
“I want to thank the club,” Krueger said. “You have all played an integral role in cultural exchange on campus.”
James Harter, assistant vice president of international education, was also honored by the club and appreciated having the opportunity to work with the Saudi students.
“They’re a group that mingles well,” Harter said. “They relate well to all age groups, and relate very well to other cultural groups on campus. Not only do they share their culture with students from the United States, but also with students from other cultural clubs.”
A video chronicling the events of the past three years of the Saudi Club and its members was also presented and anecdotes about the club were also shared.
Awards for club sponsors and members were distributed, including an award for Turki Al Zahrani, information and design technology graduate student, who is the first member of the club to graduate from ESU since its inception three years ago.
“It was such a magnificent experience and a dream that’s come true for me to see all the effort that this club has put forth,” Al Zahrani said. “Little things have turned into big things, and so many things have happened. We expand our knowledge and experience in the same way we share our culture. I am so proud of what the Saudi students have accomplished.”
Saudi Club President Ahmed Ashi, instructional design education graduate student, reiterated the club’s mission to build cultural understanding and hopes that many will continue to show interest in the learning opportunities presented by the club.
“I want to share our country, and if you want to learn anything about us just ask,” Ashi said. “We want to do more activities to introduce our culture, our lives and our heritage.”
Josh Johnson/The Bulletin
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