Flags of the world parade through Lehigh

Flags of the more than 60 countries represented at Lehigh were carried across campus Monday afternoon as part of a Parade of Nations and Territories, which kicked off Lehigh’s International Week 2004.
“Lehigh’s international presence has grown exponentially in just the last few years,” says Bill Hunter, director of the office of international students and scholars. “We’re active in most corners of the world. We take this week to celebrate all the countries, cultures and people who make up Lehigh’s international community.”
Mark Erickson, vice president for administrative and government affairs at Lehigh, gave opening remarks before the parade and said, “I just returned from a trip to the Middle East, and I am more passionate than ever about the need to make this university an increasingly more global place.”
He told the students, faculty and staff holding the flags representing their respective countries: “You are an important part of this.”
Other events included in International Week are: a keynote address from Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Security, Paul McHale; an Indian festival of lights; an international building competition; a Third World dinner; an iron chef competition; and a multilingual poetry reading.
The week will wrap up with Festivus, an international eat-a-thon with foods from all over the world and music by DJ Miguel in Lamberton Hall.
--Elizabeth Shimer