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Public invited to Clinton Center of SCC to celebrate International Day Oct. 13

The Clinton Center of Somerset Community College will hold its Second Annual International Diversity Day on Monday, Oct. 13, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. the public is invited and there is no charge for admission.

Mr. and Mrs. Val Lulak will be joining the College for this special day this year. According to Jo Murley, the coordinator of the Clinton Center International Diversity Day events, last year, the Lulaks’ attended the Clinton Center celebration and learned that both Val Lulak and Clinton Center Director, Dorothy Phillips have ancestors who came from Latvia. Last year, SCC faculty member Jon Frederick and Murley conjointly coordinated last year's event.

"What are the chances of that happening in a small county such as Clinton?" Murley reflected.

“I want to thank those of you who participated in our International Diversity Day celebration last year. People are still talking about how really alive our library became as a result of so many travelers sharing experiences enhanced by exhibits. I felt very proud.” She added.

Murley asked that anyone interested in participating in this year’s event get in touch with her. If you cannot attend the celebration October 13, but want to participate bring your items for exhibit to Murley prior to the event.

“Our plans are to have everything set up and running by noon that day since some of our students will be milling about on their lunch break. At 1:00 o'clock, our celebration will begin with a presentation from Mr. Lulak on his escape from Latvia as a child. It was then that Russia invaded his homeland resulting in circumstances much like those which have recently taken place in the country of Georgia. What an experience we have in store!” Murley said.

Also included on the agenda are relics from Polynesia, including bamboo masks belonging to Stewart Phillips, the husband of the Clinton Center director. Phillips will also be displaying his collections of postcards from around the world. Dorothy Phillips will have her souvenirs from around the world on display.

Mike Irby and his sister, Molly Irby Davis, will be displaying their precious items from their childhood in Shanghai, China.

“Their story is one of the most intriguing you will ever hear,” Murley explained.

Clinton Center Staff member Shannon Owens will share with visitors some treasures from her travels to Mexico, while Kara Conner will display items from Africa, England, Eastern Europe.

Faculty member Rick Matika will be on hand to help with an exhibit of relics from Greece, the homeland of his wife, Rena,

“I will do my usual bit on behalf of the Land of Eternal Spring that lives forever in my heart, Guatemala, as well as some photos I made years ago while in Germany, Austria, Italy, Lichtenstein and Switzerland,” Murley said.

For more information contact Murley at (606) 387-3715.

Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Casey and Russell Counties. The website is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.

KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.