Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
Tuskegee University celebrated its International Day on Wednesday with a campus-wide program highlighting the contributions, and cultural richness of students and faculty representing 30 countries from around the world. The day-long event in Logan Hall, emphasized inclusion, democracy, and the power of global education during what university leaders described as Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era.
The event, spearheaded by Dr. Dalya Fadlalla, a computer science instructor, opened with remarks from Tuskegee University President and CEO Dr. Mark A. Brown.
“This will be the first of many International Days during our Renaissance Era,” Dr. Brown said. “At Tuskegee, we are smart enough to welcome the global brilliance represented by each and every one of you.”
Dr. Brown reflected on democracy as a living experiment, noting that higher education plays a critical role in sustaining it. “Even as we navigate the yin and yang of democracy, we know that the most important and successful experiment is democracy,” he said. “It is the open arms of democracy that make us great.”
Drawing from his own experience as a Tuskegee student in the early 1980s, Dr. Brown shared how friendships with international students expanded his worldview far beyond the classroom. “My world got bigger because of students from Africa I met in my dorm,” he said. “I had a lot to learn about the world and myself—and they taught me so much.”
He recalled that these lessons didn’t happen in lecture halls, but in casual, genuine human
interactions, in hallways and at picnic tables across campus. Dr. Brown also spoke of a recent conversation with a former classmate from South Africa who has since become highly successful, due in part because of the foundation of academic excellence set for him at Tuskegee. The two discussed strategies for removing financial barriers for international students—one of the most pressing challenges they face.
“The United States got higher education right,” Dr. Brown said. “By fostering a culture of inclusive points of view from around the world – that is the democratic experiment in action.” He concluded with a message to the international community: “You are welcome at Mother Tuskegee. You are at home.”
Provost and Senior Vice President Dr. Thierno Thiam followed Dr. Brown with a passionate commentary that included his personal journey as an international student. He described himself as once being a “skinny kid from Senegal” who saw education as a lifeline.
“Every student who has ever crossed a border—real or imagined—knows my experience,” Dr. Thiam said. “Tuskegee thrives because we choose to welcome.”
He emphasized that belonging at Tuskegee is not an abstract concept or a buzzword, but instead a daily practice rooted in empathy. “Listening intentionally—listening for understanding and not just waiting to be heard—changes how we see each other, and ultimately how we see ourselves,” he said.
The program also included a video featuring members of the academic faculty –representing Haiti,
Colombia, Mexico City, Kenya, Senegal, Nepal, Pakistan, Ghana and more – expressing their thoughts in honor of International Day.
Among those listening in the audience was Dr. Osagie Idehen of Nigeria, Assistant Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences and IBSC Program Assistant Director.
“Tuskegee is home,” Dr. Idehen said. He first arrived on campus as a student in 2004 and credited the university’s genuine sense of community for drawing him back as a faculty member. He noted that the blend of international students and U.S. students creates a uniquely warm and welcoming environment.
The celebration concluded with an International Lunch Experience, allowing attendees to share food, culture, and conversation—bringing the spirit of global unity to the table.
International Day served as a powerful reminder of Tuskegee University’s enduring legacy as a place where global perspectives are embraced and where education continues to serve as a bridge across cultures and borders.
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