Burgburst, an annual student-led cultural event at Gettysburg College, won the National Association for Campus Activities’s (NACA) 2020 Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award for a campus program. The national award recognizes programs at NACA member institutions that positively contribute to the development of a diverse culture on campus.
Under the guidance of Director of International Student Services Brad Lancaster, Gettysburg students launched Burgburst in 2014. Featuring food and performances from around the world, the event brings students, faculty, and community members of all races, cultures, and interests together to celebrate diversity.
“In addition to the event itself, Burgburst fosters genuine intercultural friendships by allowing students of diverse backgrounds to work together,” Lancaster said. “In my opinion, this is Burgburst’s greatest strength. These friendships continue to benefit our students and campus culture well after the event is over.”
Drawing from a pool of nominees, the NACA Awards Committee analyzed programs on their demonstration of four diversity goals—fostering meaningful relationships between diverse student populations, challenging stereotypical perceptions of diverse populations, helping students learn to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds, and generating awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures.
On Feb. 25, Lancaster received the Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award on behalf of the College at the 2020 Inspire Live event in Denver. The award includes a plaque and placement in Campus Activities Programming magazine, as well as other NACA communications and media outlets.
