Events Calendar

The campus community is invited to join a presentation on the fascinating world of Micronesia, Palau and Yap at the first Global Insights event on September 15, 2016 at 11:30am in the Forum, Edward Leahy Hall, Room 235. Registration for this event is required. Students will receive “Life of the Mind” passport credit for attending this event. To register for this event - https://goo.gl/forms/7SMTfFFYvnMuXPvR2.

The site of a major battle in World War II, the Battle of Peleliu, a now independent and peaceful nation, Palau sits nestled in the Federated States of Micronesia, north of New Guinea and east of the Philippines. A country known for its efforts to protect the environment, Brandon Patris, sophomore, History/Philosophy dual major from Palau, says “Palau doesn’t focus only on its own environment, but it also challenges the other countries in Micronesia to protect their environments.” Palau, home to Jellyfish Lake, the Palau Aquarium and the Palau Shark Sanctuary (first of its kind in the world), enjoys a hot climate and only 2 seasons “rain or shine”, says Patris.

Co-presenters with Patris for the September 15 program are: Delilah Deffmew, sophomore, Criminal Justice major, who comes to the University from Yap, also located in Micronesia; Jersaleen Waayan, first-year, Environmental Science from Yap; and, Ethan Techitong, first-year, undeclared from Palau.  Deffmew related that, among other things, she missed “the food and the crystal clear, light green ocean” of Micronesia.  Waayan says that one of the reasons she loves Yap is the “familiar faces everywhere you go. Everyone knows everyone.” Techtong shared “It’s easy to know a lot of people. It’s a very small island, so you always feel like you are home.” All shared that Palau and yap are friendly places to visit and have beautiful sites to behold.

This program is being sponsored by a Diversity Initiatives Grant offered by the Office of Equity and Diversity, and hosted by Office of International Student and Scholar Services, Cross Cultural Centers, Residence Life and Office of Equity and Diversity. For more information, please contact Huey Shi Chew at hueyshi.chew@scranton.edu or 570-941-7575.