New Flags Celebrate Culture

Thirty-one flags hang from the atrium ceiling in honor of all of our students’ countries of origin.

Beautiful bright colors adorn the Knutson Campus Center atrium as the flags of every student’s home country are displayed from the rafters. Our international students are from 30 different countries. Those flags, along with the United States flag, are a new addition to the space.

“The flags were hung this week to coincide with the nationally recognized International Education Week,” says Dr. Matthew Beatty, director of international admission. “The flags will remain up year-round.”

The college is celebrating International Education Week with a number of activities including an international festival hosted by the International Student Organization, language learning mini-sessions and a student photo exhibit. The flags in the atrium will be recognized during the International Flag Ceremony and Dedication.

Beatty says the flags symbolize the different backgrounds and perspectives Concordia is fortunate to have on campus.

“At Concordia College, we celebrate and welcome people from all different backgrounds and identities,” Beatty says. “It is important and exciting to have these flags so international students who choose to attend Concordia will continue to see a community that is welcoming, supportive and rejoices in their cultural identity.”

The flags will change each fall according to the countries of origin on campus. A guide for the flags will be available at the information center in the atrium.

 

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