MESA, Arizona – Sept. 19, 2023 – In recognition of International Peace Day and in celebration of the first anniversary of the City of Mesa becoming an International City of Peace, a Peace Pole Rededication Ceremony is being held at 3 p.m., Sept. 21, 2023, in the Mesa Community College Rose Garden, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, Arizona 85202. Sponsors include Mesa Community College, the City of Mesa, Rotary International, City of Mesa Police Department, The Children’s Benefit Foundation Inc. and St. Matthew United Methodist Church.
In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly declared Sept. 21 as the day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace and as a call to action that recognizes individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. The first MCC Peace Pole was dedicated on the Southern and Dobson campus in 2013.
Open to the public, the celebration begins with an opening prayer by Peggy Schlesinger, Chandler Baha’i Community, followed by a welcome by Dr. Tammy Robinson, President of Mesa Community College and City of Mesa Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia. Speakers include Kevin Pitts, Rotary District 5495 District Governor; D.L. White, Author and Educator; Dr. Ruth Tan Lim, Pediatrician, Homeopathic MD, Veteran of Desert Storm, Rotarian and Mesa Woman of the Year 2011; and City of Mesa Councilmember Jenn Duff, District 4.
Soo-San Stevens-Clarke, Chandler Horizon Rotary Club, will lead the rededication of the Peace Pole ceremony by facing East, North, West and South and saying in each direction, “May Peace be in our homes! May peace be in our schools! May peace be in our community! May peace prevail on Earth!”
The finale will be “May peace prevail on Earth” communicated in Sign Language by Karen Palmieri, Chinese by Dr. Ruth Tan Lim, Hebrew by Dr. Mittman, Spanish by Zarco Guerrero, Greek by Christos Chronis, German and Luganda by Dame Precious Namazzi, and Arabic by Aeda Alkindi. All will join in the statement in English to close the ceremony.
# # #
Media Contact: Joan Westlake, joan.westlake@mesacc.edu, 480-262-8077.
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, service-learning and innovative approaches to education. Host to more than 24,400 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. On average MCC students provide 23,000 hours of community service annually. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. MCC is transforming student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution. Nearly 50% of MCC students are the first in their families to attend college. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The American Indian Institute serves students from 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes and out-of-state tribes. Our diverse student body includes hundreds of international students from around the world. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to attain their goals. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.
MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.