University Hosts 2024 New Year Celebration

The lundsh University community came together on January 12th for a spectacular New Year celebration that brought students, faculty, and staff from diverse cultural backgrounds together in a festive atmosphere of unity and joy.

The celebration, held in the Main Auditorium and surrounding campus areas, featured performances representing the rich cultural diversity of our international student body. Students from over 25 countries showcased traditional music, dance, and poetry from their homelands.

"This event perfectly embodies what makes our university special," said Dr. James Thompson, Dean of Student Affairs. "We have students from Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, China, Germany, and many other countries, and tonight they all came together as one university family."

The evening began with welcoming remarks from University President Dr. Alexander Lundsh, who reflected on the achievements of 2023 and shared his vision for the year ahead. "In 2023, we saw remarkable growth in our research programs, new international partnerships, and outstanding student achievements. 2024 promises to be even more exciting," he told the gathered crowd.

Highlights of the evening included:

• Traditional Kyrgyz music performance by the University Folk Ensemble
• International food fair featuring dishes from 15 countries
• Student choir performance of multilingual songs
• Photography exhibition showcasing student work from around the world
• Traditional dance performances from various cultural groups

The International Student Association played a key role in organizing the cultural performances. "We wanted to show how our different traditions can come together beautifully," said Maria Volkov, President of the International Student Association. "Even though we celebrate New Year at different times in our cultures, tonight we celebrated together as one community."

The Computer Science Club also contributed by creating a digital photo booth with AI-powered background effects, allowing attendees to take memorable photos with virtual landmarks from around the world.

Special recognition was given to outstanding students and faculty members who made significant contributions in 2023, including research achievements, community service, and academic excellence.

The celebration concluded with a spectacular fireworks display over the campus, visible from the surrounding neighborhoods and symbolizing the university's bright future and commitment to illuminating minds and fostering global understanding.

Planning for next year's celebration is already underway, with the Student Activities Committee seeking input from all community members on how to make the 2025 New Year event even more inclusive and memorable.

For more information about student activities and cultural events, visit our Student Life page or contact the Student Affairs Office at [email protected].