The Africana, Latin, Asian and Native American (ALANA) Cultural Center at Colgate University hosted its annual ALANAPalooza event on Friday, Sept. 6. Students and faculty took part in dancing, singing, prizes, food and a showcase of campus partners and student groups on campus. Although the event took place on the ALANA patio center like in previous years, changes were evident as a result of the roof damage that occurred over the summer when a tree fell during a storm. Despite setbacks, the setting demonstrates the ALANA Cultural Center’s commitment to providing spaces for students to form connections.
ALANAPalooza has been an ALANA tradition since 2006, and this year was thrown just 10 days after the start of classes. It’s a time when students are still exploring opportunities on campus such as student organizations and club sports, and when many first-years are still unfamiliar with spaces on campus where they can meet other like-minded students.
Lead ALANA Ambassador and junior Langh Guite shared how ALANA worked toward making ALANAPalooza an interactive event.
“ALANAPalooza was created with the purposeful intention of introducing the Cultural Center to first-years! ALANA works closely with campus partners and student organizations, and we felt that it was vital for students to start the year with a bang,” Guite said. “The ALANA Director, Dr. Esther Rosbrook, choreographed a flash mob that the student and faculty members participated in. Our team members worked extensively to make a cohesive and interactive event, a feature that we felt translated perfectly!”
After receiving food and ALANA t-shirts and meeting campus partners who came to the event, students could sit to talk and watch activities take place. Students and ALANA staff presented activities such as singing, dancing and presentations of the different opportunities available for students. Sophomore Sabrina Srabani took advantage of the chance to dance.
“This was my first ALANAPalooza as a sophomore. The dance floor was so fun that it made me get up and join the people I had never met before,” Srabani said. “I am definitely going to the Palooza junior and senior year.”
Director of the ALANA Cultural Center Esther Rosbrook shared that having the ALANAPalooza was essential for introducing new students to Colgate’s distinctive campus community.
“Palooza is an introduction to this wide range of support, demonstrating that ALANA is not just about large events, but a reliable and supportive presence in students’ everyday lives,” Rosbrook said. “Palooza is just the start of everything ALANA offers throughout the year. In addition to special events like this, we provide a diverse array of resources and opportunities on a daily basis. Our space is always open to students looking for a quiet place to study, connect with peers or simply relax between classes. We also offer personalized mentorship, allowing students to seek guidance from faculty and staff on academic, personal and professional growth.”
For first-year Andres Carvajal Sanchez, the Palooza was an opportunity to experience what the ALANA Cultural Center offers.
“Events like this that are made by the ALANA Cultural Center really do bring everyone together, and it’s beautiful to see how we are all enjoying each other’s cultures. This is my freshman year, and I hope that throughout the year I do get to see more [events] like this, because this is incredible and a beautiful demonstration of the great things you can do when you come together,” Carvajal Sanchez said. “The beginning of the year can really make or break your perspective of a school and perspective of how you can be engaged, so this event really shows how committed Colgate is to its students.”
