Trojan Badminton Club and CILC co-host Fall 2022 Badminton Tournament
On November 1, 2022, Trojan Badminton Club collaborated with Center of International Languages and Cultures at Troy University to host their mixed doubles tournament for Fall 2022. It was held at the Elm Street Gym, and was a success with roughly 20 participants of students and staffs. It was held at the Wright Hall gym, and drew more than 15 participants and audiences who were Troy students and faculty and staff.. The tournament ended up with the winning go to Yichen and Sunny. Ben and Jordyn came on second place. People also enjoyed the games, drink and snacks sponsored by The Confucius Institute.
The 27th ACPSS 2022 International Conference
From October 28th to 30th. 2022, Association of Chinese Professors of Social Science in the United States collaborated with Troy University to hold the 27th ACPSS 2022 Internation Conference at Troy University in Phenix City, Alabama. Professors presented their papers about the issues correlated to China’s rise and its impact on or relations with the West in a changing world order.
CILC Celebrates Troy University's Homecoming Football Game of 2022 at Tailgate Terrace
On October 15th, 2022, the Center for International Languages and Cultures at Troy University (CILC) hosted a tent at the Veterans Memorial Stadium to share Chinese culture. Before the important game between Troy Trojans vs Texas State Bobcats, CILC handed out Troy University hand fans, introduced Chinese culture through various cultural items, and provided traditional Chinese cuisine - fried dumplings and vegetarian spring rolls. The Troy community enjoyed various cultural activities at CILC's tailgate tent and complimented it as one of the best-decorated tents at the tailgate event. Troy Trojans wrapped up the day with a close win of 17 - 14.
Tea Talk: White and Blue Porcelain Plates
On October 11th, 2022 the Chinese Culture Club of CILC hosted its fifth Tea Talk on white and blue porcelain plates. Dr. Iris Xu, CILC's Director, and Distinguished Professor of the College of Education, gave a presentation on Chinese porcelain plates. She presented the origin of the porcelain plates and how they are made. After the presentation, participants had the chance to decorate their own white and blue patterns on white plates in order to recreate the porcelain plates. Roughly 30 Troy students, faculty, staff, and other guests participated in the Tea Talk.
Tea Talk: Chinese Paper Cutting
On October 4th, 2022 the Chinese Culture Club of CILC hosted its the fourth Tea Talk on the Chinese Paper Cutting. Ms. Lilly, CILC's assistant, gave a presentation on paper cutting. She briefly talked about the history and culture of the Chinese paper cutting which originated around fourth century, during the Han Dynasty and continues to the present. After the presentation, Ms. Lilly showed tutorial how to paper-cut "Spring"春 ,"Double Happiness" 囍, and snowflake. Over 50 Troy students, faculty, staff, and other guests participated in the Tea Talk.
Tea Talk: Tea Ceremony
On September 20th, 2022 the Center for International Languages & Cultures (CILC) hosted a Chinese Tea Ceremony. It was the third Tea Talk for the Spring Semester 2022. Mr. Tonghao Zhang presented the history of tea, and different kinds of Chinese tea, such as Pu-er Tea, White Tea, Red Tea, Green Tea, Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea, and Oolong Tea, etc. Mr. Zhang then performed a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Nearly 30 Troy students, faculty, and staff attended. After the tea ceremony, everyone tasted tea and companying food.
Tea Talk: Mid-Autumn Festival
On September 13th, 2022 the Chinese Culture Club, hosted by the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC), held their second Tea Talk event, which covered Mid-Autumn Festival. Mr. Deal, associate director at CILC, presented about the meaning and the origin of this day. Then, he shared about the legend of Mid-Autumn and invited the participants to celebrate the festival together with mooncakes and warm tea. To wrap up the event, Mr. Deal had some fun riddles , and T-shirts giveaway. The event was a great success with the participation of roughly 50 Troy University students along with faculty, staff, and members of the Troy community. After the event, people enjoyed dinner with traditional fried dumplings, and each person was given a moon cake.
Tea Talk: Making Chinese Staircase Bracelets
On September 6th, 2022 the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) hosted their 7th Tea Talk. Lilly, one of CILC's assistants, gave a small presentation on the history and process of making the Chinese snake bracelet. Nearly 50 Troy students, faculty, and staff came together for a much quieter Tea Talk than usual as everyone was engulfed in crafting their own bracelets. Each attendee made their own unique bracelet with their choice of colors. The Tea Talk was a great success with everyone happy with the crafts they designed and made themselves. After the event, everyone enjoyed dinner with fried chickens, cookies, fruits, and teas.
Red Level Elemtary School's Field Trip at Troy University
On September 6th, 2022, over 40 students from Red Level Elementary School in Red Level, Alabama came to Troy University to tour the International Arts Center (IAC) and the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC). During their visit, they learned about ancient art techniques, visited the Terracotta Warrior exhibit, toured CILC's Exhibition Hall, and learned how to do Chinese paper cutting while learning about the ancient and modern history of the Chinese Dragon. After the scheduled event, the students were taken to the Trojan Center to enjoy lunch.
Red Level Elementary School Visits Troy University
On May 18th, 2022, over 40 students from Red Level Elementary School in Red Level, Alabama came to Troy University to tour the International Arts Center (IAC) and the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC). During their visit, they learned about ancient art techniques, visited the Terracotta Warrior exhibit, toured CILC's Exhibition Hall, and learned how to do Chinese paper cutting while learning about the ancient and modern history of the Chinese Dragon. After the scheduled event, the students were taken to the Trojan Center to enjoy lunch.
The Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) Attends the City of Montgomery's Multicultural Festival
On May 14th, 2022, the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) was invited to the City of Montgomery’s Multicultural Festival. CILC was joined by the Central Alabama Association of Chinese (CAAC) to share Chinese culture and language learning. Along with Chinese learning materials and souvenirs, Chinese food was provided to the public. Helping both organizations were seven young volunteers that were afterward awarded certificates for their exceptional assistance during the event.
Frazer United Methodist Church's Basic Bible Study Sunday School Class Visits Troy University
On May 3rd, 2022, the Basic Bible Sunday School group from Frazer United Methodist Church visited Troy’s campus to meet with the Chancellor and to visit the International Arts Center (IAC) as well as the Center for International Cultures and Languages (CILC). About twenty members of the church attended, along with Dr. Iris Xu, Director of CILC, and Dr. Jack Hawkins, Chancellor of Troy University. The Sunday School group first had lunch with Chancellor Hawkins, followed by a tour of the IAC and the Terracotta Warrior Exhibit at the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park. Finally, they made their way to CILC’s Exhibition Hall, where they were given a tour of Chinese culture, language, and history.
Dr. Valentine's Philosophy of Art & Art of Life Class Visits CILC
On the first day of April Dr. Jay Valentine brought his Philosophy of Art & Art of Life class to visit the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) to tour the exhibition hall and learn about Chinese paper cutting. Assistants Jon Garrett and Leo Yixuan gave a tour of the exhibition hall while Associate Director Austin Deal led the paper cutting activity. Dr. Jay's class of 23 students had a pleasant class time learning about Chinese culture. Tea and refreshments were served after the class period making an eventful afternoon.
Tea Talk: The Terracotta Warriors of China
On March 31, 2022 The Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) hosted the 8th, and last, Tea Talk for the Spring semester. Dr. Fang Li, a professor from one of Troy University's partner schools Chongqing Normal University (CNU) called from China via Zoom to speak to the attendees about the history and ongoing excavation of the Terracotta Warriors from the Qin Dynasty as well as showing some videos about Chongqing and it's rapid growth from a poor town to a bustling metropolis holding multiple world records for its many ground breaking bridge projects which earned it the nickname of the "City of Bridges." Over 30 Troy students, faculty, and staff attended while in Zoom there were speakers from two states and two countries.
Tea Talk: Chinese Bracelet Making
On March 24, 2022 the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) hosted their 7th Tea Talk. Duolinna, one of CILC's assistants, gave a small presentation on the history and process of making the Chinese snake bracelet. Just over 30 Troy students, faculty, and staff came together for a much quieter Tea Talk than usual as everyone was engulfed in crafting their own bracelets. Each attendee made their own unique bracelet with their choice of colors and decorative beads. The Tea Talk was a great success with everyone happy with the crafts they designed and made themselves.
Eclectic Middle School Visits Troy University
March 11, 2022 120-odd Junior High students from Eclectic Middle School visited the Center for International Languages & Cultures (CILC) and the International Arts Center (IAC) on Troy campus. They visited the Chinese Cultural Exhibition Hall, had a taste of the Chinese tea culture, experienced traditional culture, Chinese music, the Chinese Dragon Dance, and the Lion Dance. Mr. Austin Deal, Associate Director of CILC, presented the Legend of the Dragon to the students and showed the students how to perform the dragon dance and lion dance as well as how to do Chinese paper cutting, and more. After that, the students visited the International Arts Center and Ms. Carrie Jaxon, Director of IAC, told the story about the Terracotta Warriors and led the students through a tour of the Terracotta Warriors on campus. Some Troy students showed the junior high students how to design the dried follower arts. The teachers and students loved Troy's campus, calling it the "most beautiful university" in Alabama, and expressed their desire to study at Troy University in the future and to become Trojans.
Tea Talk: Traditional Chinese Instruments
On the 10th of March, the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) hosted the sixth Tea Talk of the semester and the first Tea Talk held online. Mrs. Xixi Mao was joined by Troy University students as she presented the many different kinds of traditional Chinese instruments. Mrs. Xixi talked about percussion, stringed, and woodwind instruments as well as showing a number of videos demonstrating what these instruments sound like in the hands of professional musicians.
Tea Talk: Harmony of Eastern and Western Cultures
On March 3rd, the Chinese Culture Club of the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) hosted its fifth Tea Talk on the harmony between Eastern and Western cultures. CILC's Director and Distinguished Professor, Dr. Iris Xu, gave a presentation about the importance of understanding different cultures and respecting and appreciating their differences. She compared various topics such as food, lifestyle choices, conversational styles, and much more. Nearly 30 Troy students, faculty, and staff joined to learn about these differences in cultures and took part in a Q&A as the night came to a close.
Taste of Troy Event
On February 25th, Troy University had its Troy Men’s Basketball regular-season finale against Texas State in the Trojan Arena. Before the game, CILC (Center for International Languages & Cultures) participated in the Taste of Troy event. Trojans and the public came to the Trojan Arena and tasted various types of food such as Mardi Gras’ King Cake, Cajun Jambalaya, Pizza, and Chinese food. CILC brought Chinese spring/egg rolls and dumplings for everyone to taste. Many promotional items were given out by Troy University (TU) to fans including official WHITEOUT game T-shirts for the first 2,000 fans, retro TU T-shirts to the first 750 students, and more. The game was broadcasted nationally on ESPN2.
Tea Talk: Chinese Paper Cutting
On February 24th, the Chinese Culture Club of CILC hosted its the fourth Tea Talk on the Chinese Paper Cutting. Associate Director of the Center, Mr. Austin Deal and Assistant, Mr. Jon Garrett gave a presentation on paper cutting. They talked about the history and culture of the Chinese paper cutting which started roughly in the second century BC during the Han Dynasty and continues to the present. After the presentation, Mr. Deal and Mr. Garrett taught the audience how to paper-cut "Spring"春 and "Double Happiness" 囍. Nearly 40 Troy students, faculty, staff, and other guests participated in the Tea Talk.
Charles Henderson Middle School Junior Warriors Field Trip
For three days in February, 22nd to 24th, the Center for International Languages & Cultures (CILC) and International Arts Center (IAC) received over 120 students from Charles Henderson Middle School in the City of Troy. They visited Troy University campus, including the IAC, the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park, the Terracotta Warrior Exhibit, and CILC’s Exhibition Hall. The students were introduced to arts and crafts projects and learned how to perform the traditional Chinese dragon dance. This is the third year of the Junior Warriors Program at Troy University. The goal of the program is to increase cross-cultural awareness for the students, an opportunity to experience and learn about different cultures of the world.
Tea Talk: Tibetan History, Culture, and Tibetan Buddhism
On February 17, 2022, the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) hosted the third Tea Talk event of this semester. Dr. Jay Valentine from the College of Arts and Sciences at Troy University gave a lecture on Tibet. He talked about Tibet's religious culture, language, and Tibetan Buddhism. Tibet, located in southwest China off the border with India and Nepal, is mainly a pastoralist region; Tibetans herded flocks across the wide and high-elevation region on the east side of the Himalayas known as the Tibetan Plateau. Dr. Valentine also showed us the Tibetan Buddhist Scriptures, children’s books, picture books, and some others about Tibet. Nearly 40 Troy students, faculty, and staff came to hear the lecture. Dr. Valentine received his BA in Philosophy from the University of Delaware, MA in Religious Studies from Naropa University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, where he focused on the religions of philosophies of Buddhism and Hinduism in the History of Religions Program. Thanks to Dr. Valentine for his well-accepted lectures.
Tea Talk: Tea Ceremony
On February 10th, 2022 the Center for International Languages & Cultures (CILC) hosted a Chinese Tea Ceremony. It was the second Tea Talk for the Spring Semester 2022. Assistant Jon Garrett gave a tour of the Chinese Cultural Exhibition Hall. There are five sections in the Exhibition Hall about China: Sports, Minority Costumes and Drama, Musical Instruments, Calligraphy and Tourism. Ms. Chau Bui presented the history of tea, and different kinds of Chinese tea, such as Pu-er Tea, White Tea, Red Tea, Green Tea, Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea, and Oolong Tea, etc. Ms. Chau Bui then performed a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Nearly 50 Troy students, faculty, and staff attended. After the tea ceremony, everyone tasted tea and companying food.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Coleman Center
On February 4th, 2022, the Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) hosted a Lunar New Year celebration event at the Coleman Center, located at Troy University's Dothan Campus. During the event, Mr. Austin Deal, Associate Director of CILC, gave a brief presentation on the origin and meaning of the traditional dragon symbol commonly found in many Asian cultures. The symbol of the dragon is generally associated with the Lunar New Year. After the presentation, Dothan Campus faculty and staff carried in a life-sized dragon model and put on a small performance for the children. At the conclusion of the event, CILC provided the children and their teachers each with a Chinese knot, traditionally known as a good luck charm when given during the Lunar New Year.
Tea Talk: Lunar New Year
The Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) at Troy University hosted its first Tea Talk event of the 2022 Spring semester. Dr. Rui Feng, a Distinguished Professor at the College of Education, and Austin Deal, the Associate Director of CILC, introduced the participants to the meaning and origins of the Lunar New Year as well as a few of the foods involved in the celebration of the event. Over 40 participants, including Troy students, faculty, staff, and members of the public enjoyed several traditional Chinese refreshments such as fried rice, spring rolls, fried dumplings, Chinese chicken, and hot tea while learning about the meaning of the Year of the Tiger and the origin of the traditional Dragon symbol found in many Asian cultures.
Martin Luther King Day Parade Held in Downtown Montgomery
On January 17th, a parade was held to honor Martin Luther King (MLK) Day. The Parade made its way past the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church downtown. The Center for International Languages and Cultures (CILC) at Troy University was pleased to contribute an important piece (the Dragon dance) of Chinese culture to the parade lineup. To prepare for the walk, Mr. Austin Deal instructed the Montgomery City high-school volunteers on the basic movements of the Dragon Dance. The volunteers successfully recreated a simple version of the Dragon Dance during the MLK parade