Asian Heritage Evening Program a Success
The 26th annual Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage evening program on May 22 was a success. People were turned away from the standing-room-only event in Masur Auditorium. Guest speaker Dr. Edison Liu, director, Division of Clinical Sciences, NCI, reflected on the collective history of Asians and Pacific Islanders, their ability to survive and prosper even under the most turbulent circumstances, and the prominent role they play in scientific programs and management of NIH. Drs. Victor Fung and Rashmi Gopal of NCI shared emcee duties and welcomed the audience to a varied program of music and dance from Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia and Korea. Many veteran attendees acclaimed the program as the best in the last 10 years.
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The Korean Dance, "Wedding Night" |
In keeping with tradition, the NIH Asian/Pacific Islander American Organization presented the annual outstanding achievement awards to Dr. Barnett S. Kramer, NCI, and Dr. John McGowan, NIAID, for their leadership role in achieving EEO goals, and to Drs. Y. Peng Loh and Anil B. Mukherjee, both of NICHD, for scientific excellence. APAO also presented its first scholarship award to David T. Okano, a high school senior who is the son of Dr. Paul Okano, NCI; he will attend the University of Virginia this fall.
| Khilton Nongmaithem, Manipuri Swordsman |
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Dr. Edison Liu (r) congratulates David Okano, APAO scholarship awardee. |
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A wide variety of musical and dance presentations were performed, including (below) the Balinese dance "Panji Semirang" and (left) the Cambodian classical dance, "Apsara." |
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| Pi-pa solo dancer Sue Pan is a CIT computer engineer. |
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Pi-Pa soloist Qimin Zhan is also a senior staff scientist at NCI. |
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