The Annual Multicultural Cookout
Photo courtesy of Editor-in-Chief, Nathaniel D’Amato
The annual MCC cookout brings together students, staff, and the wider Geneseo community in a wonderful environment.
On Sept. 4, 2025, SUNY Geneseo’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, hosted its annual cookout, bringing together students, college staff, and the broader community to share good food, make lasting memories, and form connections— all while enjoying the temperamental weather.
Although initially planned to be held in the Roemer Arboretum to get students outside, due to rainfall, the event was relocated to the Multicultural Center (MCC) and the surrounding quad. Yet this change of plans did nothing to slow down the festivities. This event featured lively music, various indoor and outdoor communal games, and a large number of community members who normally do not have the opportunity to interact with students and the wider Geneseo community.
Thankfully, amid the excitement , The Lamron editorial team had the opportunity to sit down with various members of the SUNY Geneseo community, as well as the broader community that attended, and hear their perspectives on this new yet well-loved event.
The Lamron’s Copy Editor, Nina Avallone-Serra, had the opportunity to speak with multiple students who attended this event, such as senior English Literature & Sociology double major Griffin Lyons, who stated, “You can’t have a strong campus community without events that facilitate interactions.” This was echoed by senior Sustainability major Ella Hinckley, who also stated that these events allow people to become more aware of sustainability and raise awareness about what is or is not occurring in their campus spaces.
All attendees interviewed shared in this joy and echoed the necessity of even more events like this to ensure a stronger campus community. The Lamron’s Co-News editor, Brooke Klugewicz, interviewed fellow student Allegra Marracino, who spoke to the need for more events: “We should keep having these events [and even more regularly].” They continued, saying, “It’s a great way to meet people of different ethnic backgrounds and learn about different cultures.” In addition to themselves, other students punctuated the benefits these events provide for one to expand outside their comfort zone.
This is a sentiment shared by the Director of Multicultural Affairs, Cliff Harcum, who shared his hope for the MCC to become a well-loved place for all students, regardless of background, and wants every reader to know that the MCC is a safe place to come, hang out, and connect, even if it feels weird to start; inclusivity is his priority. When speaking to both The Lamron’s Co-News editor, Madilyn Becker, and Editor-in-Chief, Nathaniel D’Amato, the sentiment rang true.
Co-News editor, Madilyn Becker, also spoke with attendees like Dan Dezarn, the Director of Sustainability at SUNY Geneseo, who said he hoped that this event would “aid in creating a bond between students and nature…but this can’t happen without passion.” The cookout certainly highlighted such communal passion. Alongside him were individuals like Geneseo Board Trustee member Eddie Lee—who is also a representative for Geneseo Votes—who expressed to Becker their hope that students would take a more active role in the community and broader prospects, as “we are all members of the same community” and share the same values.
In addition to these community members were various clubs and organizations that tabled in the MCC, which featured representation from the LIVES program, intercollegiate athletics and recreation, SUNY Geneseo counseling services, Geneseo Votes, as well as sisters from the Zeta Phi Beta sorority (who will be receiving their own article very soon). Through conversing with these groups, it was clear to both Becker and D’Amato that these representatives were here to bolster the community in the best way possible: good food, good times, and even better conversations!
When separately speaking to Becker and D’Amato, Cliff Harcum echoed the students' joy: “I want to hear even more voices!” Afterwards, stating, “You can feel their energy.” And we certainly could—the community gathering was vibrant!
After that, he briefly discussed what these events mean on campus. “My whole goal is through these events—in what I wish weren’t considered small pockets—we get energy and a sense of authenticity, belonging, and community spread out everywhere in Geneseo, not just this small pocket... It’s [that] simple!”
Before we left this conversation, Harcum again echoed that these events are “about inviting people in and giving them their space to just be.” That sentiment rang true throughout the event's entirety and was embraced by everyone there.
Stop by the MCC, located next to Blake Hall in the Sturges Quad, and follow the MCC on Instagram (@multicultural_geneseo) to keep up to date with their next event(s)!