The World Culture Club of Central Pennsylvania invites community members to participate in discussions at free programs dedicated to embracing diversity and inclusion by fostering education and understanding of the many cultures that make up our world. Families with high school children are very welcome to attend. 

 

Speakers present their programs on a volunteer basis. The focus is on learning about other cultures in order to understand the different environments, backgrounds and upbringing that form ideas and perceptions of people worldwide. Programs vary in nature, encompassing medical and global health, inspirational and personal accounts, artistic performances, current societal issues, and historic and cultural themes.

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The program is endorsed by the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg.

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WCC BOARDS MEMBERS:

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Dr. S. Gaylen Bradley, Co-Chair Emeritus

Diana Carel-Diaz, Co-Chair Emeritus

Vlada Prymak - President

Diane Hain - Publicist 

Yolanda Perez-Rivera - Public Relations

Susan Edris - Greetings and Hospitality

Webmaster and E-mail Manager

Heather Mahraj

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HISTORY OF THE WORLD CULTURE CLUB OF CENTRAL PA

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Initially known as the Cultural Community Club of Hershey, the group was formed on March 7, 2001 at a planning meeting hosted by Nkuchia Mikanatha, an epidemiologist with the PA Department of Health, and David Welliver of Penn State Hershey. Their vision was “to create a place where people from other countries and cultures would be among friends, feel more comfortable and welcome, and adjust more easily to a new environment.” As the idea grew and evolved, the organization became increasingly centered on the educational aspect of their programs in order to help alleviate the tension and cultural divide among world communities.

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The first program, “Reflections on the Oneness and Interdependence of Humankind,” was held in March 7, 2001 by Dr. Michael Penn, Associate Professor of Psychology at Franklin and Marshall College, Elizabethtown. “Growing up in Nepal” by Dr. Wangdi Sherpa followed in April of that year.

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In the summer of 2009, the World Culture Club became a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public supported organization, and its name was changed to "The World Culture Club of Central PA."

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2011 Recipient of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD, in recognition of the programs'contribution in building a stronger community with Penn State Hershey.

 

Original supporters include Dr. Gaylen Bradley, Diana Carel-Diaz, Ernest Johnson, Caroline Parke, Valerie Jallon and Kathy Murray Leisure. 

Until the summer of 2016, programs were held at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine, after which we enjoyed a partnership with the Hershey Story Museum presenting four programs in the fall of 2016.

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March 1, 2017 began a new chapter when the first program was held at the Hershey Public Library, called "Expanding Friendships: Cultures of the World Come to Central Pennsylvania."

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PROGRAM ARCHIVE 

2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

March, 2017 - “Expanding Friendships: Cultures of the World Come to Central PA." Panel moderated by Professor Clem E. Gilpin Ph. D.

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YouTube Videos 

Celebrating 100 Years of the Panama Canal, January 7, 2014

History of Puerto Rico & Contributions to the U.S., November 5, 2014

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