The Asian Student Association (ASA) and Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSSA) hosted a mid-autumn festival celebration in the Mandeville Teletorium Oct. 17. The event featured traditional songs, dance performances and communal games, with moon cakes and buffet style Chinese cuisine provided at the end of the event.
Julie Yu, Ph.D.,assistant provost of China programs, said the CSSA supports Chinese students and promotes cultural exchange on campus.
“CSSA hosts cultural celebrations such as the mid-autumn festival and Chinese new year gala, helping students connect across cultures and share the richness of Chinese traditions,” Yu wrote in response to questions. “Working closely with the Office of China Programs, CSSA builds community, fosters inclusion, and strengthens SJU’s commitment to global engagement.”
Lisa Nguyen ’28, ASA publicist, said the festival raised awareness of this cultural event.
“We love to celebrate the changing seasons,” Nguyen said. “We like to celebrate the prosperity that each season brings us, so having a festival like this really highlights and emphasizes that.”
Martha Ritter, Ph.D., clinical associate professor of teacher education and program director of Hunan Normal University PA, said the event helps Chinese students build a community by participating in familiar customs and traditions.
“The mid-autumn festival is a very important family festival in China,” Ritter said. “So, they’ve become each other’s family here.”
Chinese students also learn about American culture during their time in Philadelphia, Ritter said.
Sean Angelo Muluchlew ’27, ASA secretary, said the event allowed for sharing of the values of prosperity, calmness and tranquility, which are cherished in Chinese culture.
“To share [their culture] with people here from the U.S. is such a powerful statement,” Muluchlew said. “Especially those who are Asian American or Chinese American, so that they could get a taste of their culture or their identity.”
One of the people who attended the event to meet other Chinese students was David Guo ’27, who said he was happy to see this tradition from his culture being celebrated.
“Every aspect of our culture is being perceived as a part of the SJU campus,” Guo said. “I think things like that will cultivate or encourage programs like this to thrive in the future.”
