Purdue Fort Wayne to host Sept. 21 gala celebrating multilingual populations

With over 70 languages spoken in northeast Indiana and a proud history of serving as a resettlement destination for countless families, this region stands as a positive example of cultural and linguistic diversity throughout the Midwest. At the heart of this vibrant community are more than 7,000 multilingual learners enrolled in area schools, guided by dedicated educators. 

To pay tribute to the efforts of these educators and the families who benefit from their efforts, the Teaching English as a New Language program and the Three Rivers Language Center in the School of Education at Purdue University Fort Wayne will host a gala on Sept. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the International Ballroom at Walb Student Union.

The inaugural Multilingual Northeast Indiana Gala will shine a spotlight on the impact educators make in the lives of their students, and how that fosters the growth of northeast Indiana. 

“Working with our TENL alumni, we are excited to bring to life an event that celebrates teachers and raises awareness of the ways we serve linguistically and culturally diverse populations in our region,” said Mary Encabo Bischoff, Teaching English as a New Language program director. “The gala is one of the many ways we strive to put in practice what we say we value and believe in as a community of scholars and practitioners.” 

Highlights of the evening include exciting food options from caterers representing immigrant-owned businesses; lively performances from local artists; tales of inspirations from teachers, immigrants, and refugees; family-friendly trivia; and more.

Those interested in attending can click here for specific information about tickets and available discounts.

The gala also coincides with Welcoming Week, an international observance where organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.

Contact Encabo Bischoff at [email protected] or 260-481-6748 to learn more.

For more support, contact Geoff Thomas at [email protected] or 260-437-7657 (mobile).