LIS is officially known as “Lambda Iota Sigma,” but group president Shilpa Naruka tells us that the organization prefers to be called by LIS’ more descriptive and fitting name, “Lipscomb International Students.”
“Anyone can be a member,” Naruka said. “Basically, it’s a cultural awareness group and more of an open group. I would not say it’s just a social group.”
People of all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender and religions can become a part of LIS without having to go through the pledging process that most service and social clubs require.
“We do have some rules,” Naruka said. “But, we do not have any pledging, and we do not have any restrictions on who can enter the group.”
When a few of the international students on campus came up with the idea of doing an international fashion show last year, they also decided to create a more solid, organized culturally-aware group within Lipscomb before attempting such a large undertaking of a show.
“The fashion show was the first big event we really thought of,” Naruka recalled. “But, before doing that event, we wanted to start the group, so we did quite a few little events like movie nights.”
And so, LIS began. As a Lipscomb University club, the numbers reveal it’s not-so-humble beginnings. Over 25 members joined LIS during its first year, which is more than most social clubs achieve after their first several years.
LIS has adopted the week of the upcoming and much-anticipated Stomp Fest as International Education Week. This means that, aside from the club being showcased as a part of Tuesday’s Stomp Fest, they will be hosting a Coffeehouse on Thursday, Nov. 14, and ending the week with a Bollywood movie night on Friday, Nov. 15. Everyone is welcomed to these events.
Naruka also emphasized the openness of their meetings and encouraged anyone who is interested to come and participate.
“We usually do our meetings every Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Ezell 128,” Naruka said. “Anyone can come.”
The most recent event LIS has hosted this semester was last week’s “Henna Night” party. The festivities were put on in order to raise awareness and money for HIV victims.
“Even at Lipscomb, there can be a lot of stereotypes because people just haven’t been exposed to different cultures,” says LIS communications officer Alexis Laguna, “And, so, what LIS is attempting to do is expose people to different cultures so that we can understand each other better.”
Although free food, cultural dancing, music and a chapel credit was all included in the experience, the entire night was advertised around campus as “Henna Night”, and was focused heavily on the three dollar Henna tattoos available to anyone in attendance.
“Henna is a pre-wedding event, similar to our bachelorette party or rehearsal dinner,” explains Laguna. “Typically, the bride’s family will come together and celebrate her and help her prepare for the wedding by applying Henna on her hands and on her feet. It’s practiced in many Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern cultures.”
Fanning Hall’s courtyard was alive with the sounds of traditional Indian music and the smell of fresh baklava and curry chicken wafting through the air.
“We are actually trying to create an atmosphere of Southeast Asia and Middle Eastern weddings,”says Naruka. “And, our weddings are usually full of colors, music, dance, mostly socializing, and, of course, food.”
Aside from the colorful décor and a few free crash courses in Southeastern dance, visitors were also given the option of purchasing customary Indian jewelry. A fairly large crowd of both students and faculty came to the event to recognize and honor cultural diversity through an interactively festive atmosphere.
“It’s not like an audience-performer event,” explains Naruka. “It’s more to get involved with the dances and try something new.”
Lipscomb student Duc Tran emphasized how important it is to international students that Lipscomb University celebrates ethnic diversity.
“Lipscomb doesn’t really have much variety in races, so for Lipscomb to celebrate a different culture… that’s pretty amazing,” Tran said.