KU News Release

March 10, 2008
Contact: Rachel Balzer, Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center, (785) 864-4350.

Asian-American student group plans regional conference, announces leaders

LAWRENCE — The Asian American Student Union will be the first student group at the University of Kansas to host a major regional event at the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center.

From 400 to 500 delegates are expected to attend the Midwest Asian-American Students Union spring conference, to be held March 28-30. Events will take place in the new multicultural center and the adjacent Kansas Union.

“We are excited about hosting the MAASU conference in our new facility,” said Santos Núñez Galicia, program director at the multicultural center. “The Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center is a source of pride for our students, and they are happy to share with visitors to our campus.”

Asian American Student Union President Susan Noh, Overland Park senior, and External Vice President Grant Huang, St. Louis senior, are coordinating the conference. Rachel Balzer, program assistant at the multicultural center, is the group’s staff adviser.

Conference events will focus on strategies that support Asian-American student organizations and address issues facing the Asian- and Pacific Islander-American communities. Featured guest speakers and performers include the Ken Oak Band, comedian Danny Cho, actor Parry Shen and artist Rich Kiamico.

The Asian American Student Union serves the interests of the Asian-American community at KU and promotes an understanding of Asian-American and Asian cultures. The group’s signature event is an annual weeklong festival of Asian culture. This year’s CelebrAsian, held Feb. 25-March 1, also was sponsored by the Asian Student Law Association, KU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center.

Kansas Rep. Raj Goyle, an Asian-American legislator from Wichita, spoke at the CelebrAsian banquet at the Lawrence Community Building. Other events during the week included the 17th annual Taste of Asia program at the Kansas Union with a fashion show and traditional dance and martial arts performances.

The Asian American Student Union is among several student groups that co-sponsor programs with the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center. Others are the Black Student Union, Diversity Peer-Education Team, First Nations Student Association, Hillel, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Queers and Allies.

The new 7,000-square-foot, $2.7 million center that adjoins the Kansas Union typifies KU’s commitment to enhance and support the university’s culturally diverse student population. In addition to gaining a prime central-campus location, the new center will allow more student groups to gather, study and host events throughout the year.

Asian American Student Union officers are listed below by hometown, major and level in school, parents’ names, high school attended and office and/or role.

FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City 67846
Natalie Nguyen, sophomore preparing to study sports management, daughter of Phung Nguyen and Be Le; Garden City High School; secretary.

Shirley Sengmany, senior preparing to study clinical laboratory science or dentistry, daughter of Sack and Phimpha Sengmany; Garden City High School; historian.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66213
Susan Loh, senior in human biology and psychology, daughter of James and Chae Noh; Blue Valley Northwest High School; president and conference co-coordinator.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67216
Samantha Bich Nguyen, sophomore preparing to study pharmacy, daughter of Lyly Kim; Derby High School; public relations co-chair.

Lisa Son, sophomore preparing to study nursing or pharmacy, daughter of Thomas Son and Danh Thach; Wichita High School East; social chair.

From Wichita 67220
Duy Hoang Pham, sophomore in international studies and political science, son of Hai Hoang Pham and Dao Thi Pham; Northeast Magnet High School; Student Senate representative.

From Wichita 67230
Anthony Nguyen, senior in human biology, son of Van and Jaclyn Nguyen; Wichita High School Southeast; public relations co-chair and CelebrAsian co-coordinator.

HAWAII
From Aiea 96701
Maruel Unrein, sophomore preparing to study physical therapy, son of Raymond and Tammi Unrein; Aiea High School; internal vice president and conference marketing chair.

MISSOURI
From St. Louis 63128
Grant Huang, senior in architecture, son of Gerald Bernatz and Caroline Lu; Lindbergh High School; external vice president, conference co-coordinator and KU representative to the Midwest Asian-American Students Union executive board.

OREGON
From Gresham 97080
Daniel Lee, sophomore preparing to study secondary education, son of Phil and Amy Lee; Centennial High School; treasurer and CelebrAsian co-coordinator.

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