This fall, over 4,000 people are expected to fill downtown Rolla on Sept. 23 for the 2023 Celebration of Nations, and organizers are seeking volunteers for several roles. Campus and community members are invited to participate. 

“Volunteers play a crucial role in Celebration of Nations, and we need your help,” says Jeff Sandquist, program director. “Community groups, service organizations, fraternities and sororities are all encouraged to volunteer, either as groups or as individuals.”

Volunteers are asked to sign up for a minimum of two hours and will receive a free Celebration of Nations volunteer T-shirt and free food during the event. The deadline to register as a volunteer is Friday, Sept. 15. Volunteers can sign up on the Celebration of Nations website at nations.mst.edu. Click on the “Volunteer” link on the homepage or under the “Get Involved” tab.

The celebration begins with the Parade of Nations at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. Participants will line up at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lots surrounding Castleman Hall on 10^th Street in Rolla. If you would like to participate in the parade and carry a flag, sign or banner, sign up at nations.mst.edu and choose “Join the Parade” under the “Get Involved” tab. 

Sandquist says campus and community members are invited to participate in two additional events – Celebrate Fashion, an international fashion show featuring Missouri S&T students and other participants modeling traditional dress from their home country and culture, and Celebrate Talent, featuring musical and dance performances. Signups for these events can also be found under “Get Involved” at nations.mst.edu.

The 14th annual Celebration of Nations will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, in downtown Rolla. The free event is designed to celebrate international diversity, broaden cultural horizons and enrich the local community. 

About Missouri University of Science and Technology
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System and located in Rolla, Missouri, Missouri S&T offers 101 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top 10 universities for return on investment, according to Business Insider. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.