A student idea becomes a campus celebration

Students, faculty, and community members gathered in Grawn Atrium on February 28 for a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration that highlighted culture, community, and student leadership at Central Michigan University.

Organized by senior hospitality administration and international business major Lindsey Nguyen from Grand Rapids, Mich., the event welcomed more than 100 attendees for an evening filled with cultural performances, traditional foods, and interactive experiences. The celebration was supported by the Central Michigan University College of Business Administration, the Central Michigan University Student Government Association, and the Central Michigan University Residence Housing Association, along with other campus partners.

A celebration of culture and representation

Lunar New Year, one of the most significant celebrations across many Asian cultures, symbolizes renewal, family, and the arrival of spring. For Nguyen, bringing this celebration to campus was deeply personal.

“I have grown up celebrating Lunar New Year every year with my family and friends,” Nguyen said. “When I came to college, I would always go home to celebrate. I wished there was some sort of celebration on campus for students to celebrate as well, which inspired me to organize the event.”

With CMU’s Asian student population relatively small, the event created an opportunity to foster belonging while also educating the broader campus community about cultural traditions and history.

An evening of performances and connection

The event featured performances from visiting student organizations, including the Grand Valley State University Vietnamese Student Association and the Grand Valley State University Filipinx American Student Association, as well as a traditional lion dance by the East Lansing Lion Dance group. For Nguyen, these performances stood out as a highlight of the evening.

“A memorable moment of the evening was seeing the guest performances,” she said. “We don’t have Asian performance groups on campus, so it was cool to see them perform on our campus.”

Beyond the performances, attendees enjoyed cultural foods, traditional games, and a festive atmosphere filled with red decorations and shared experiences.

“Personally, the most memorable moment for me was walking around, talking to my friends and meeting new people who were telling me how much they enjoyed the activities, performances, and overall ambience of the event,” Nguyen added.

From idea to impact

Although the event took place this year, the idea began in 2023. At the time, Nguyen initially started planning a Lunar New Year celebration but postponed the effort due to competing commitments.

After gaining more experience and support, she revisited the idea and successfully brought it to life in 2026, an accomplishment that required coordination across multiple departments and organizations, as well as securing funding for catering and event logistics.

Her efforts also reflect the hands-on learning emphasized within the College of Business, where students develop real-world skills through leadership and experiential opportunities.

Nguyen hopes the Lunar New Year celebration will continue long after her graduation this spring.

“I would love to see this become an annual tradition,” she said. “One of my mentees has shown interest in taking it over next year, and I’m working to help secure funding, so future organizers have a smoother process.”

Her vision is not only to sustain the event but also to make it more accessible for future student leaders to build upon.

A message of empowerment

At its core, the Lunar New Year celebration was about more than a single evening; it was about representation, belonging, and student initiative.

“I think representation is very important,” Nguyen said. “If there is something you want to see on campus, you can make it happen. I’m glad I was able to share a part of my culture with the CMU community.”

Through collaboration, cultural awareness, and student leadership, the event demonstrated how initiatives within the College of Business can extend beyond the classroom, creating meaningful experiences that bring people together and strengthen the campus community.