Half a Century of Celebrating an International Coe
Every pop and hiss as a pan starts to sizzle feels like a memory from half a century
ago is coming back to life.
This year's International Club Banquet was the culmination of a landmark year for the club. The beloved student organization celebrated its 50th anniversary being part of Coe's campus and student culture during the 2023-24 academic year
Not only is the International Club celebrating this milestone, its annual signature events also took place for the 50th time with Culture Show in the fall and International Banquet in the spring. International Club, known as I-Club among students, was founded in 1973 with the goal to be “an internationally minded group which would like to bring about a closer contact among students of diverse cultural and linguistic interests.” It has since become embedded in the student culture on campus.
Mohammad Kharoti ’75 from Afghanistan served as the president of the club in its first year, and activities have remained open to all students, whether they originally came to Coe from another nation or simply had an interest in making connections. “I am delighted that the International Club remains vibrant and continues to enhance life at Coe College. You are making a difference!” said Deanna Jobe, who served as the international student advisor from 1980 to 2014 and advised the club for over 30 years. Coe has long boasted a diverse student body with international connections stretching across the globe. During most academic years Coe has from 20 to 35 exchange students from Coe’s two exchange programs in Japan, Waseda University in Tokyo and Nagoya Gakuin University in Nagoya. This year, the college welcomed a return to robust, pre-Covid numbers of international students, with the Class of 2027 representing 21 countries.
Many Kohawks also take advantage of the study abroad programs offered by Coe, whether it is spending a month, a semester or a year in another country, broadening their relationships and experiences. “The impact of the Coe International Club cannot be overstated. There were so many deep friendships that were forged in I-Club — friendships that have endured over decades,” said Libby Slappey ’74, who served as a resident director of Murray Hall, which often housed international students. “It was my honor to be the mother-away-from-home to students from around the world who lived in Murray. Every day, every week, every year, members of I-Club learned from each other, whether they were roommates in the residence halls or lab partners in Peterson Hall.”
Both as a student and as former associate dean of admission, Pat Campbell Cook ’84 met, worked with and forged deep relationships with many international Kohawks during the 20 years she spent at Coe. “I met students from all over the world and learned so many new and wonderful things. From working with them through the admission process to meeting them at the airport and getting them moved into the residence halls, I loved welcoming them to Coe and watching them thrive!” she said. “Being part of I-Club activities — the welcome reception, the international retreat, the Culture Show and the spring banquet — enriched my world in so many ways.” I-Club’s signature events hold a high profile on campus year over year and draw excellent performances, audiences and cultural experiences.
Culture Show
“The I-Club Culture Show was always an amazing array of talent, fashion and fun,” Sla
ppey recalled. Taking place each fall, the Culture Show invites members of I-Club and the student body to showcase their talents, cultural dances and traditional dress in a fashion show. No two shows are alike from year to year, as acts are dependent on what students perform and present for the Coe and Cedar Rapids communities. One thing remains constant — the show is a wonderful representation and recognition of the countries and cultures that come together to form the Coe student body.
International Banquet
“I am so very proud that the International Banquet is truly one of the most long-lived traditions at Coe College. It is a tribute to all of the international and American students who worked to keep the banquet going year after year,” said Jobe, who was involved in 34 of the 50 events. “The International Banquet began as a celebration and an opportunity to share the rich diversity that international students bring to Coe College and has become a tradition that unites our entire community,” said this year’s I-Club President, Thanh Thanh Tran ’24. The first banquet was held in January 1974, and each year has featured a wide variety of dishes prepared and served by students from their home countries, often accompanied by entertainment — both for the guests and the club members.
“Working together and cooking for the annual I-Club Banquet was certainly among the most memorable experiences,” said Slappey. “After all, when was the last time the fire department showed up in your kitchen when you were attempting to caramelize onions?” Jobe also had many memories from banquets over the years. “I remember so many staff members joining me to make pans of baklava, students calling their mothers to double-check their recipe and especially the joy of seeing all the students the night of the banquet all dressed up in their native dress proudly sharing their countries’ cuisine.”
During this year’s festivities, the banquet included appetizers, entrées, desserts and drinks from Brazil, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. Members of the community were invited to join in honor of the event’s 50th anniversary, and many alumni and friends made their way to Gage Memorial Union to take part in the experience, chat with current students and, of course, eat some delicious food.
“Thank you for coming to celebrate with us!” Tran added as a message to the guests who joined events throughout the year in honor of the club’s 50th anniversary.