On the evening of Friday, Feb. 7, students from all backgrounds gathered in the Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) Luce Auditorium to celebrate the cultural tradition of the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year. The celebration, hosted by the Asian Student Alliance and the Student Intercultural Program, featured Chinese food, tea and lantern painting.
The event ran from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and hosted approximately 90 Asbury students and faculty who were invited to experience a part of Asian culture through food, crafts and trivia questions that were displayed on the screen during the event. Asian Student Alliance representatives Audrey Napah and Caleb Wilkins began the event by introducing three students—Catrina Cablish, John Tao and Will Tang—who each explained their personal connection to the Lunar New Year. Cablish shared her experience of being raised in Taiwan as an American, stating, “I spent 18 Chinese New Years in Taiwan… one of my friends would open up his home to my family every Chinese New Year, and we just became a part of his family.”
Napah explained, “Lunar New Year is not just a Chinese tradition. It is celebrated in South Korea and in many other countries. That’s cool, because we have a lot of people from different places, not just China.” She went on to emphasize the importance of these events, saying, “I love creating spaces where people can learn about each other, especially because, you know, for minorities and international students… It’s a time to be intentional, and it’s open to everyone on campus because we want people to be curious about Asian culture.”
Students were encouraged to wear semi-formal attire or red, as the color red symbolizes good fortune and prosperity in many East Asian cultures. Student Kourtney Kawata commented, “Lunar New Year has been celebrated for over 4,000 years. It has deep roots in ancient Chinese traditions, traditionally marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, and symbolizing the renewal of life.” This year, the Lunar New Year fell on Wednesday, January 29, a couple of days before the celebration at the CLC.
Geneva Wise, a student at Asbury, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “I really appreciate the thought and planning that went into [the event]. I think it was really well executed and beautifully done—everything from the decorations to the lighting and the food. I thought that it was just really well prepared and a really beautiful time for everyone to appreciate and celebrate a culture outside of our own.” This statement highlights key elements that made the event memorable. Asbury students went out of their way to integrate various cultures and backgrounds, providing intercultural students with an opportunity to share something meaningful and integral to their lives. The event allowed participants to experience and learn about important celebrations from different cultural contexts that they may not otherwise have had the chance to explore.
According to the Chinese New Year 2025 guide, the Year of the Snake symbolizes “wisdom and transformation, [and] offers opportunities for personal growth and change” and often entails “red decorations, elaborate meals, thorough cleaning of homes and visiting family.”
Asbury’s Asian Student Alliance and Student Intercultural Program did a wonderful job presenting this cultural experience to students and faculty from multiple backgrounds. The event provided insight into the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake, that many participants may not have been familiar with before. The dedication to this event, as well as others organized by the Student Intercultural Programs, reflects Asbury students’ commitment to creating cross-cultural understanding and providing opportunities for learning and growth for those who may not have previously encountered such cultural experiences.
Photo courtesy of Emma Farrell.
