RACHEL SACHER
Staff Writer
The Chinese Student Union, led by junior Yuan Fang, celebrated the Chinese New Year at the HAWC. It’s part of an effort by for Chinese and non-Chinese students to bring the Chinese culture to Pepperdine.
“Food is the most important thing about the Chinese New Year. We will play games and have contests, play ping-pong and have chopsticks,” Fang said.
In years past there was a similar Chinese student group on campus. The group members dwindled, however, and Pepperdine recovered the group just recently.
Fang’s inspiration for the idea to establish the group came in October, when he realized most of the Chinese students didn’t really know each other.
Yuan comments on the function of the CSUP “The purpose of this group is to get Chinese group on campus.”
On Wednesday night, the CSUP celebrated the Chinese New Year of 2007. The HAWC was transformed with Chinese posters, small red lanterns and authentic Chinese cuisine. The party began at 6pm and concluded around 8.
Fang and some of his friends came together for a night of Chinese traditions. The party had a quality spread of Chinese foods from the Hunnan Chinese Restaurant. The food was free for everyone, chow mein, chicken, white rice, beef and broccoli.
The event was free, which attracted a large crowd. The event had a great turnout, peaking at about 50 students. Many of whom just came around for the food and left.
Students were given the red gifts, or red envelops, containing Chinese candy, which is a tradition of the Chinese New Year.
The students played games and spent time appreciating the Chinese culture, through a variety of activities.
Chinese pop music filled the air as students competed at the chopstick games, played a Chinese game involving ping-pong balls and the red envelope lottery.
Kaileen Kelly comments on the CSUP games at the party “the two main games in Chinese New Year are chopsticks pick-up, ping-pong, where you try to get it through a circle”. Both of these games were played at the event.
Yuan and others finished the evening serving hot dumplings and teaching Chinese phrases.
Kyna Pak attended the event and comments “it was definitely better than expected, the food was high quality and catered from off campus”.
Expecting continued success in the future, Fang says, “Right now, we have 7 officer, and 60 facebook members, and expect more in the future”.
Later in the year, Fang plans to have an investment seminar in the CCB. Fang believes it is important for the Chinese to learn more about investment banking, which is something that a lot of Chinese do not know.
Fang seeks to increase the knowledge and understanding of Chinese students about the culture in the United States.
At the same time, Fang seeks to bring Chinese culture to the Pepperdine campus.
Student Ian Isabell sums it up “The great thing about this is that most people don’t know about the Chinese culture and “this event brings more culture to our world”.
02-22-2007
