All new Lions on campus are invited to help build community in the Fall semester every year. This regional pride can help build bridges between students unlike any other icebreaker. Celebrating your hometown is part of the process of deepening your connections on campus and a chance to enjoy some really good food.
The art presented by the chefs was unique and varied in ways you couldn’t imagine, from BBQ brisket sliders and mac and cheese in the South to marionberry pie in the Pacific Northwest – the favorite dish of students Mai Watanabe and Lauren Diep. The two marketing majors returned to each event in the series to sample catered, cultural cuisine, and both were surprised that more students didn’t take advantage of the opportunity.
Political science major Amarachi Onyeador of Los Angeles understood the importance of bringing pride in her city to the hometown events she could fit between classes; although she was interested, there weren’t more spicy options on the menu, such as her favorite types of curry, which are offered in countless recipes across LA County. She reflects on how important it is to keep representing her Nigerian and South LA pride on campus, and how as a student you have to “talk to people to…find that their experience makes LA what it is – it’s diversity.”
New Jersey native and marketing major Matteo DeMarco commented on his love of the city and how he got to LMU. Besides the ease of getting his favorite Italian pasta anywhere nearby, “I just fell in love with the environment…the bluff obviously got my attention.” Many students shared this opinion about the beautiful landscape and views from campus.
From the Midwest and Mountain states, film student Bella Rose from Steamboat Springs, CO, spoke about the importance of staying involved and letting people know more about her hometown, while admitting, “[I] always wanted to come back” to sunny California for school. LMU’s pervasive culture of acceptance is most obvious at events like this.
Mechanical engineering sophomore Trust Tinai brought the good attitude and small community vibe of Hawaii to the gathering – though to find one of his favorite dishes (spam and rice wrapped in seaweed), you’d have to travel farther east to Koreatown.
The Southern fashion of hospitality never fails to impress: my own Texan upbringing was key to building relationships in Malone during the gathering. With LMU’s new direction around its food program, the collaboration between faculty and food professionals was far more delightful with increased attention to the student experience.
I was able to bond with other students playing games like “human bingo,” a sort of trivia and game of pursuit where you could win college swag. And for those feeling homesick, there was a special section off to the side for writing postcards and messages of gratitude to those supporting you on your new journey forward.
