On Friday, Nov. 9, Delta Phi Lambda sorority will be hosting their annual Global Gala in order to showcase the different cultures at Grand Valley State University. This event will take place in the Grand River Room of Kirkhof Center at 6 p.m. 

The event will consist of a variety of performances by student organizations as well as free food and raffle prizes. 

“I am excited to be able to bring people together,” said Co-Planning Chair of the event and President of Delta Phi Lambda Jennifer Ung. “With a lot of hate and differences in this world, it is important to bring people together through common interests.”

Ung also said that their sorority believes it is important to be able to showcase the student organizations and how they are doing great things for the community. Global Gala is a great learning opportunity and a way to highlight the beauty of every culture.

There will be a total of eight performances throughout the night; one of these performances being Jowei Yek who will be singing “Yellow” by Coldplay in two different languages: Mandarin and English.

Yek said that he chose “Yellow” because it was the song that changed the view of the word ‘yellow’ from being a derogatory word against Asians to a beautiful word to describe love and the stars. 

“I am very honored to be invited again this year,” Yek said. “I think Global Gala is a great platform for me to share my culture with my friends and other students at Grand Valley.”

This will be Delta Phi Lambda’s 11th time hosting this event on campus. 

Ung said that with being the only Asian sorority on campus, they want people to feel connected with their culture. After all, Delta Phi Lambda’s mission statement is to bring diverse experiences. 

“This event is important to our sorority because we do not only look to empower and celebrate Asian culture, we look to celebrate everyone,” said Co-Planning Chair Sophie Rickey. “Our sorority thrives on the success and beauty of diversity.”

Ung said that anyone who has an interest in Asian culture is able to join the sorority. 

“I really love how I am able to feel comfortable around my sisters,” Ung said. “I really like the close connections we are able to make.”

Global Gala is just one of the many ways Delta Phi Lambda tries to accentuate the diversity within the community.

“I love the fact that I can do more for myself, my sisters and my community as a whole,” Rickey said. “I believe that every person has a chance to make the world a better place and I am able to do that with the support of my sisters.” 

Ung said that this event is very important to communicate to people that we are all human and skin tone should not matter, as we all contribute some way to our society.

Delta Phi Lambda is excited to celebrate with others and bring everyone together for a night of showcasing the different cultures within the community.