Lebanon Valley Colleges Welcomes Dr. Krishnendu Ray of New York University

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Dr. Krishnendu Ray, chair of the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, will speak at LVC on Sept. 16.

ANNVILLE, PA (09/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Dr. Krishnendu Ray, chair of the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, will deliver the keynote speech for Lebanon Valley College's 2015–2016 Colloquium series, "Local Meets Global." Ray's presentation, "Feeding the Other: Lessons From People on the Move," will take place Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Zimmerman Recital Hall.

Ray's presentation focuses on American immigrant identity and their cuisine. With the United States being such a "melting-pot" of food and culture, it is only natural that many immigrants that move to the U.S. turn their attention to food. This influence can be seen, for instance, in New York's many food districts. However, a certain level of compromise often takes place, in which foreign restaurateurs are pressured to "Americanize" their food, often forfeiting established traditions in order to make their food appeal to a wider audience. These days, the demand for authentic ethnic food has increased, and it is entirely possible that the country's immigrants are on the cusp of a golden age, able to produce and peddle their cuisine as they see fit.

Ray has penned several books on the subject of food and ethnicity. He currently serves as the president of the Association for the Study of Food and Society.

In addition to participating in this year's Colloquium, Ray will work with LVC's E.A.T. group of undergraduate students. E.A.T. (Engage, Analyze, Transform) students use data-driven research to promote and assess the goals of ethical reasoning, intercultural competence, healthful living, and environmental sustainability.

Ray will also engage with students about global food issues during Dr. Kshama Harpankar's "Economies of Global Food Challenges" course and Dr. Robert Valgenti's "Environmental Ethics" course.

The Colloquium Series is a year long integrated series of keynote presentations, guest speakers, films, and academic courses. The 2015–2016 series is dedicated to the issue of Local Meets Global. How do we understand our place in the world? What does it mean to stand in any one locale and yet simultaneously think and act in a global context? To be singular and yet part of a larger whole? The goal of the 2015–2016 Colloquium Series is to encourage these encounters, to test and reshape their limits, to challenge us all to become world-ready local actors and global citizens.

Visit www.lvc.edu/colloquium for more information and a schedule of events.