Students Enjoy Thanksgiving Traditions

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 24, 2015) – Multicultural and international students throughout the University of Kentucky community have the opportunity to taste one of America’s most cherished traditions this week: the fellowship, flavors and customs of Thanksgiving, including lighting a holiday tree, watching football on TV and, of course, eating turkey with time-honored side dishes.

Several UK units and student volunteers make an extra effort to give international students special memories of this American holiday since most can’t visit their families for such a brief fall semester break.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, the UK Alumni Association, Student Government Association, International Center and UK Dining will host the 10th Annual Multicultural Student Thanksgiving. All multicultural and international UK students are invited to the free event. Traditional Thanksgiving foods, including vegetarian options, will be on the menu at The 90, the new UK dining facility at the intersection of Woodland and Hilltop avenues.

UK staff members of Smith Hall have plans for a Thanksgiving Day dinner for international and multicultural students at 5 p.m. Thursday. Members of the UK Student Affairs Office of Residence Life will serve traditional American Thanksgiving fare, but they are also including other November traditions. Earlier that morning, the international students will decorate the residence hall’s holiday tree. After dinner, students will ceremoniously light their tree, as many others will be switched on coast to coast.  Other students will make sure televisions in the residence halls’ lounges are set to capture all the parades and football games.

Residence Life staff and student volunteers will provide meals on Wednesday and Friday as well, so the students who can’t go home can rest comfortably. Students have been pivotal in the planning and execution of the entire week of activities, like the group of Brazilian students preparing stroganoff for Friday’s dinner. 

For more about the American Thanksgiving Tradition, visit:

The History Channel’s “History of Thanksgiving” at http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving and

the NFL’s celebration of the nation’s obsession with a holiday football game at http://www.nfl.com/photos/0ap1000000097941/0ap3000000435492 and

http://www.profootballhof.com/multimedia/history/2011/11/17/two-minutes-of-pro-football-history-thanksgiving-memories

MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Hairston, 859-257-3302, gail.hairston@uky.edu