Brunch, auction to benefit Southern

Southern University’s International Education will host their annual Jazz Brunch and Silent Auction to give interested students the chance to study abroad.
The affair will take place Sat. April 8th in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union, and begin at 10 a.m.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will ensure that SU students who choose to will have the chance to study abroad at one of the university’s partner schools in Mexico, Italy, China, Brazil, Africa and soon Belize.
SUIE, which has been around over fifteen years, has dedicated itself to broadening and infusing an international perspective throughout its curriculum.
“It is my goal to see that even those who can’t afford to study abroad can go all over the world,” said Barbara West-Carpenter, dean of SUIE. “We want to give them the same chance as students from Harvard or Princeton.”
Carpenter said SUIE encourages its’ students to participate in an international component within their program of study. It’s her goal to see an increase in the international student enrollment in both the undergraduate and graduate programs.
The event will begin with a brunch where attendees will be serenaded by the sounds of the Herman Jackson Jazz Ensemble. The Silent Auction is scheduled to follow.
Donated paintings, sculptures and artifacts by worldwide artist will be open for bidding.
“Its important that students participate in international activities because it gives them another prospective on life,” Carpenter said. “They become culturally sensitive and began to understand the needs of others so that they appreciate what they have at home.”
Tickets for the event will be $35, and tickets for group table reservations are $250. Interested persons should call the SUIE office at 771-2109 for more information.