Tuskegee University marked its International Day on April 24 with a program celebrating the diverse backgrounds of students and faculty from 30 countries. The event, held in Logan Hall, focused on themes of inclusion, democracy, and the importance of global education during what university leaders called Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era.
University President and CEO Dr. Mark A. Brown opened the program by addressing the international community at Tuskegee. “This will be the first of many International Days during our Renaissance Era,” Dr. Brown said. “At Tuskegee, we are smart enough to welcome the global brilliance represented by each and every one of you.”
Dr. Brown discussed democracy as an ongoing experiment and emphasized higher education’s role in supporting it. He reflected on his own experience as a student at Tuskegee in the early 1980s, saying that friendships with international students broadened his perspective beyond academics: “My world got bigger because of students from Africa I met in my dorm,” he said. He also spoke about working to remove financial barriers for international students.
Provost and Senior Vice President Dr. Thierno Thiam shared his personal story as a former international student from Senegal: “Every student who has ever crossed a border—real or imagined—knows my experience,” Dr. Thiam said. “Tuskegee thrives because we choose to welcome.” He stressed that belonging is not just an idea but a daily practice based on empathy: “Listening intentionally—listening for understanding and not just waiting to be heard—changes how we see each other, and ultimately how we see ourselves.”
The event included remarks from faculty members representing countries such as Haiti, Colombia, Mexico City, Kenya, Senegal, Nepal, Pakistan, Ghana and others through a video presentation honoring International Day.
Assistant Professor Dr. Osagie Idehen recalled arriving at Tuskegee as a student in 2004 before returning as faculty: “Tuskegee is home,” Dr. Idehen said.
The celebration ended with an International Lunch Experience where attendees shared food and conversation reflecting unity across cultures.
International Day highlighted Tuskegee University’s tradition of welcoming diverse perspectives while reinforcing education’s role in connecting people worldwide.
