About the WORLD CULTURE CLUB of Central PA
2011 Recipient of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
"In recognition of your contribution in building a stronger community with Penn State Hershey."
The World Culture Club of Central Pennsylvania invites community members, students, and faculty to participate in discussions at free monthly programs dedicated to embracing diversity by fostering education and understanding. The program is endorsed by the Dean's Council on Diversity, The Global Health Center and the Doctors Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine of the College of Medicine.
The first meeting of the World Culture Club (WCC) was on March 7, 2001. It was then called the Community Culture Club of Hershey. In the summer of 2009, the World Culture Club became a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public supported organization, and its name was changed to "The World Culture Club of Central PA." (To read the full history of the WCC, see text below.)
WCC Board Members
Dr. S. Gaylen Bradley, Co-chair Emeritus; Penn State College of Medicine
Diana Carel-Diaz, Co-chair and publicist; ph# 717-566-3553
Linda Warren - Treasurer
Anne Tantum - Archivist
Jim McConkey - Co-publicist
Dr. Fauzia Mahr - Programming
Jennifer Monahan - Webmaster
Support and Donations
The World Culture Club is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.
We welcome your donations. They are fully tax-deductible and will help obtain a broad range of speakers to further the mission of expanding knowledge, tolerance and understanding. The presentations, open to the public, are endorsed by the Penn State College of Medicine Dean's Council on Diversity, The Doctors Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine, and the Global Health Center.
Make check payable to: World Culture Club of Central PA
Mail to:
World Culture Club
c/o 5000 Kylock Road
Mechanicsburg PA 17055
Be sure to include your name and address for a tax-deductible receipt.
Thank you for your support!
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The History of the World Culture Club of Central PA
Programs, presented the first Wednesday of every month at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, focus on learning
about other cultures in order to understand the different environments, backgrounds and upbringing that form ideas and
perceptions of people worldwide. Programs vary in nature, encompassing medical and global health, inspirational and
personal accounts, artistic performances, current societal issues, and historic and cultural themes.
Initially known as the Cultural Community Club of Hershey, the group was formed on March 7, 2001 at a planning
meeting hosted by Nkuchia Mikanatha from Kenya and David Welliver of Penn State Hershey. Their vision was “to create a
place where people from other countries and cultures would be among friends, feel more comfortable and welcome, and adjust more easily to a new environment.” As the idea grew and evolved, the organization became increasingly centered on the educational
aspect of their programs in order to help alleviate the tension and cultural divide among world communities.
Mikanatha, an epidemiologist with the PA Department of Health, lives in Hummelstown with his wife, Kathleen, and
their five year old son, Joshua. Kathleen works at the Medical Center in infectious disease control.
Welliver, a computer technician, currently lives in Swathmore, PA with his wife, Meng, an oncologist, and their two
children, 14 year old Dawn, and 8 year old Alain.
The first program, “Reflections on the Oneness and Interdependence of Humankind,” was held in March 2001 by
Dr. Michael Penn, Associate Professor of Psychology at Franklin and Marshall College, Elizabethtown.
“Growing up in Nepal” by Dr. Wangdi Sherpa followed in April.
When Dr. Gaylen Bradley, a visiting professor at the College of Medicine and current advisory board chair, gave a presentation in 2002, he became interested in the mission and vision of the club. Over the years, his dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm, as well as unlimited, overtime hours of work, have helped sustain the club’s existence. Original supporters include Diana Carel-Diaz, Ernest Johnson, Caroline Parke, Valerie Jallon and Kathy Murray Leisure. Several steering meetings were held in their homes.
In addition to Dr. Gaylen Bradley, current board members include Diana Carel-Diaz, co-chair and publicity director with Jim McConkey; Ann Tantum, secretary; Linda Warren, treasurer; Fauzia Mahr and Helena Wroz, programming, and Jennifer Monahan, webmaster.
Endorsed by the Doctors Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine, the Global Health Center, and the Dean’s Council on Diversity, the World Culture Club of Central Pennsylvania has recently become a non-profit organization.
All programs are free and open to the public, and speakers present their programs on a volunteer basis.
Interested individuals are invited to participate in discussions that increase our understanding of diverse cultures. Anyone who would like to present a program that fits the World Culture Club’s theme is invited to contact the club chair,
Dr. Gaylen Bradley at 717-531-8780, or co-chair, Diana Carel-Diaz at 717-566-3553. www.worldcultureclubpa.org
