This banner exhibit, curated by Arisa Jang ‘25 and sponsored by the Popel Shaw Center for Race & Ethnicity and Rev. Yvette Davis, can be viewed on the endcaps of the stacks leading to the East Asian Studies Reading Room on our upper level.
This timeline traces the history of Asian American, Pacific Islander (AAPI), and International Asian-identifying communities at Dickinson College. From the arrival of the first Asian students in the 1920s to the vibrant voices shaping campus today. Too often, the contributions and experiences of Asian students have existed on the margins, acknowledged only at a surface level or overlooked entirely.
Through this exhibition, we seek to reclaim the narrative, bringing visibility, depth, and recognition to the diverse histories, identities, and legacies of Asian students at Dickinson. This timeline not only honors the trailblazers who have paved the way but also celebrates the ongoing efforts of AAPI and International Asian-identifying students to build community, spark change, and enrich campus life. By highlighting their stories, we affirm that their presence is not just part of Dickinson’s past but is essential to its present and future.