SUU Celebrates HFSCC Second Anniversary With Cultural Extravaganza

Southern Utah University’s Helen Foster Snow Cultural Center (HFSCC) marked its second anniversary on November 12 with a vibrant cultural celebration in the Great Hall of the Hunter Alumni Center. The event drew members of SUU’s student body, faculty, and the wider community for an evening of education and entertainment.

The program featured video presentations highlighting the life of Helen Foster Snow, traditional Chinese and Indian music performances by SUU students, and a keynote address by Dr. Krista Van Fleit, an associate professor of Chinese Literature and Language at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Van Fleit spoke on the cultural exchange between China and India in the years following China’s cultural revolution.

Founded in 2022 through a Utah State Legislature initiative, the HFSCC promotes Mandarin Chinese education and cultural engagement in Southern Utah. The Center honors the legacy of Cedar City native Helen Foster Snow, a Nobel Peace Prize-nominated journalist whose work fostered U.S.-China relations in the mid-20th century.

Executive Director Dr. Wen Ouyang emphasized the Center’s mission of fostering diverse cultural experiences and international partnerships. “To carry on Helen’s spirit and legacy, the Center has provided opportunities for students, faculty, and community to engage with Asia,” she said in a press release.

Associate Vice President of International Affairs Stephen Allen highlighted the broader significance of the Center, noting that fluency in multiple languages enhances national security, trade, employment, and cultural understanding.

The HFSCC has made significant strides over two years, introducing Mandarin Chinese programs at SUU and in Cedar City schools while strengthening global connections with partners in China, India, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.

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If you would like to see the celebration, a full recording is available on SUULive’s YouTube page. The Helen Foster Snow Cultural Center continues to operate in SUU’s Office of International Affairs, offering resources and programs to enrich the community.