Students from Austin College’s East Asian Studies Program traveled to the Roy and Helen Hall Memorial McKinney in mid-November to present the “Passport to East Asia” program to area schoolchildren.
The event was co-sponsored by the McKinney Public Libraries and Austin College East Asian Studies program to provide a kid-friendly community outreach for children ages 4 to 11. Participants received a “passport” to fill as they visited stations themed on East Asian culture. Austin College students ran activities such as “Make Your Own Dragon” craft, coloring, and the traditional Japanese game called Kendama. They also offered a chopstick relay race, origami, a photo booth, and an anime film.
Dr. Mindy Landeck, assistant professor of East Asian Studies and director of the East Asian wing of Jordan Family Language House, accompanied the following Austin College students who participated in the service program:
Phung Banh ’22 of Ho Chi Minh, China;
Hunter Couturier ’22 of Pottsboro, Texas;
Claire Craig ’22, Houston, Texas;
William Dixon ’22, Krum, Texas;
Shannon Fischer ’23 of Keller, Texas;
Jared Grothues ’21 of Seguin, Texas;
Jackie Hernandez ’20 of Houston, Texas;
Nye Howard ’22 of Coppell, Texas;
Noel Kim ’20 of Seoul, Korea;
Jason Li ’22 of Plano, Texas;
Manuel Gutierrez-Martinez ’23 of Longview, Texas;
Ethan McCready ’20 of Rockwall, Texas;
Caroline Ogden ’21 of Highland Village, Texas;
Dev Raman ’22 of Murphy, Texas;
Lain Reed ’22 of Rowlett, Texas;
MinSeob Shim ’20 of Seoul, Korea;
Youna Song ’22 of Austin, Texas; and
Yasmine Yash ’22 of Fairview, Texas.
Landeck is also president of Austin College Phi Beta Kappa, Iota Chapter, and director of the Scarbrough Summer Research Program. She has been a member of the Austin College faculty since 2016.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. This year, the campus recognizes 100 years of co-education and has had several opportunities to recognize the history of women and accomplishments of current alumnae. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
