Spring Semester with the MSCU at KWU

What IS the MCSU? 

The Multicultural Student Union (MCSU) at Kansas Wesleyan University is one of the most active clubs on campus. Students all around campus frequently participate in their events, regardless of affiliation with the club. Shanya Murape, a junior hailing from Toronto, Ontario, is the president of the club.  

“What’s so special about MCSU, is that we get to set the goal for the council.  This year, the focus is unity between international students and those who are born in America,” Murape stated regarding the unique aspect of connectedness found within the MCSU. “A very unique environment is created when you have people from all over the world sharing their upbringings and how they lived their life, yet we all ended up at Kansas Wesleyan University.”  

Kansas Wesleyan University hosts students from all over the world, with the soccer team alone representing over twenty countries. The Multicultural Student Union has created a safe space on campus for all the cultures throughout the school to come together and share experiences.  

“I say my theme for this year is ‘One Love,’ inspired by Bob Marley. It’s about sharing experiences, but also educating our peers on different cultures.” Murape stated regarding her position as the club’s president this year. It’s easy to see just how passionate Murape is to have this integral role on campus. 

MLK Jr. Day at Kansas Wesleyan University 

The MCSU hosted their first event of the semester on January 20th, 2025. This event, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, hosted in Sam’s Chapel. The event included musical performances from Kansas Wesleyan Chorale, one of the many musical groups that the school has on campus. Also included in the event was a speech from Sydney Mitchell, a KWU student and the first ever president of the NAACP Youth and College programs in Kansas. The keynote presentation was from KWU Alum Kirk Holt.  

Kirk Holt addresses the crowd

The event was opened and closed with songs that are deeply tied to African American History. This provided a unique historical call-back and a sense of unity amongst the crowd. The final song  encouraged the crowd to come together in the center of the chapel linking arms and singing along as a harmony of diverse voices.  

The crowd linked arms during the closing song of the event.

The Multicultural Student Union has hosted Martin Luther King Jr. Day on campus for the last two years. “We noticed that there were a lot of events around the community, but not necessarily on campus,” Pastor Allen Smith, the faculty advisor of the MCSU, stated.

The weekend was full of events across Salina celebrating the holiday. The event at Sam’s Chapel marked the close of the celebrations.  

What else does the MCSU have planned for the year? 

Pastor Allen Smith chooses to let the students lead the planning most of the activities. “I’m not a heavy-handed advisor,” Smith stated, “I just help keep things moving. I like letting them be leaders on campus”. It’s easy to see why Smith is so passionate about his students. He guides them, but doesn’t interfere too heavily. He allows the students to really run the club their way. Last semester, their most successful event was their talent show. They also hosted a silent disco, and they meet every week to brainstorm new ideas for events.  

As for events this semester, there’s a lot of planning happening within the club. “There are a lot of things still in conversation,” Smith offered as a teaser for the upcoming events. “But everything is on the calendar already”. There are many ideas on the table, including a few halftime events during basketball games, a fashion show, a waist bead craft session, and many educational discussion events during Black History Month.  
 
The MCSU is also bringing back a popular event from previous years; a leadership symposium hosted during Black History Month. “Expect to see lots of influential and significant African Americans who have broken barriers and defied the odds in their careers,” Student President Shanya Murape stated.  

It’s an exciting time to get involved with the MCSU. For students who would like to join, meetings are held every Tuesday in room 203 of the Student Activities Center, and food is always provided!