Events highlight immigrant stories, support biology field studies students
North Central Michigan College will host its second annual International Day celebration Wednesday, March 4, featuring art, food, film, and conversation in support of students participating in summer biology field studies.
The campus and community are invited to attend events throughout the day that celebrate immigrant stories and cultures while raising funds for students enrolled in BIO 295 Field Studies: Biology of the Florida Keys.
Event Schedule:
Art Exhibit
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., NCMC Library
Peruse an art exhibit with Vivek Vellanki, Ph.D., and Indiana University doctoral students, Eliza, Hoon, Maya, Ugonna. The exhibit, “sensitive but unclassified, do not bring to interview,” will run March 4-13 during library hours.
Vellanki is an assistant professor of qualitative methodology and curriculum and instruction at Indiana University Bloomington. His work explores photography as method, theory and practice within education.
International Cuisine and Fundraiser
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., NCMC Library Lobby/Library Conference 1-2
Guests may enjoy appetizers representing five of the largest immigrant communities in the United States, including chicken taquitos, aloo tikki, Chinese dumplings, Filipino barbecue pork skewers, and more.
Cost is $5 for students and $15 for faculty, staff and community members. Proceeds benefit student travel to MarineLab in Key Largo, Florida, where biology students will conduct field research July 29–Aug. 4 as part of their summer course.
Lunch Presentation: “Borders, Labor, and Legacy: Michigan’s Migrant Farmworkers”
Noon – 1 p.m., Library Conference 1-2
Amanda Flores, Ph.D., will explore the history and settlement of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Michigan. Michigan ranks second in crop diversity and fifth nationally for registered migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
Flores, a first-generation college graduate and daughter of migrant farmworkers from South Texas, earned her doctorate in higher, adult, and lifelong education from Michigan State University.
Panel Discussion on Art Exhibit
1:30 – 2:30 p.m., NCMC Library
Moderated by NCMC instructor Blake Morley, Ph.D., the panel will feature Vellanki and participating doctoral students discussing themes from the exhibit.
Mexico Field Studies Student Presentation
4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Library Conference 1-2
North Central students who studied art history, archaeology, history, and food in Mexico City in May 2025 will share photos and reflections from their experience.
Movie & Discussion with Film & Music Club: “The Milagro Beanfield War”
6 – 8 p.m., Library Conference 1-2
The NCMC Film & Music Club will screen the 1988 comedy-drama directed by Robert Redford. The film tells the story of a small New Mexico community fighting to protect local land and resources from outside development. A discussion will follow the screening.
All events are open to students, employees, and community members.