The University of Indianapolis’ French Club hosted French Week April 6-10.
The French Club hosted $2 to Dye April 6. Each individual who participated received a French Club T-shirt that could be modified and cut as he or she pleased. The cafeteria covered a variety of French foods for students to try April 7.
The French Club hosted Natives of the French Language in UIndy Hall B April 8. The speakers at that event talked about what growing up in a French-speaking country was like, and snacks and tea were served.
The film “Amelie” was shown in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center April 9. The French Gala, which raised money for Laurelwood Apartments, took place April 10. French Club Adviser and Professor of Modern Languages Peter Vakunta founded the French Club two years ago.
“I got here two years ago and I asked around, ‘Where is French Club again?’” he said. “And they said we didn’t have one.”
Vakunta felt the need to start the club for the students to participate in. He wanted the club to be open to everyone interested, even if students did not take French courses.
“It has been very, very vibrant,” Vakunta said. “I would say we have had two successful French Weeks. My idea with the French Club is to provide students with another world view and to be able to break their stereotypes about not only French people in France, but Francophones as well.”
Vakunta wants to make people aware of how diverse languages really can be.
“How will people break those boundaries if they don’t see the world through a different cultural lens?” Vakunta asked. “That was my dream behind creating the Francophone Club, so that it can serve as a bridge between student bodies and enable students to interact with [other] students from different cultural, racial and linguistic backgrounds.”
French Club Vice President and Acting Treasurer Mimi Oluwafemi said that the French Club hopes to involve more students. Oluwafemi also feels that it is important to have students engage more in diversity because that can help them reach out to a multitude of individuals here at UIndy.
More information is availabe from Peter Vakunta at (317) 791-5614 or at vakuntap@uindy.edu.
