CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The new Asian American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will celebrate its grand opening Friday with a ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m. at the center, 1210 W. Nevada St., Urbana.
The ribbon-cutting will take place as part of an open house, from 1 to 5 p.m., for both the cultural center and the Asian American Studies Program, housed next door at 1208 W. Nevada St. The two buildings are physically connected and share a conference room.
The ribbon-cutting and open house are open to the campus community and the general public.
Work on the center building began last fall. The facility was built to offer services and programs for Asian-American students, according to David Chih (pronounced CHEE), the director of the center. The center also will work to foster appreciation within the campus community for the Asian-American experience and the variety of Asian-American cultures, he said.
Other events scheduled following the open house include an "Asiantation" New Student Welcome on Friday evening, and a brunch and party for students prior to the U. of I. football game against San Jose State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.