Initially known as the Cultural Community Club of Hershey, the group was formed on March 7, 2001 at a planning meeting hosted by Nkuchia Mikanatha, an epidemiologist with the PA Department of Health, and David Welliver of Penn State Hershey. Their vision was “to create a place where people from other countries and cultures would be among friends, feel more comfortable and welcome, and adjust more easily to a new environment.” As the idea grew and evolved, the organization became increasingly centered on the educational aspect of their programs in order to help alleviate the tension and cultural divide among world communities.
The first program, “Reflections on the Oneness and Interdependence of Humankind,” was held in March 7, 2001 by Dr. Michael Penn, Associate Professor of Psychology at Franklin and Marshall College, Elizabethtown. “Growing up in Nepal” by Dr. Wangdi Sherpa followed in April of that year. More programs were presented.
Original supporters include Dr. Gaylen Bradley, Diana Carel-Diaz, Ernest Johnson, Caroline Parke, Valerie Jallon and Kathy Murray Leisure.
In the summer of 2009, the World Culture Club (WCC) became a non-profit 501(c)(3) supported organization, and its name changed to The World Culture Club of Central PA.
In 2011, the WCC was recipient of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD in recognition of its contribution in building a stronger community with Penn State Hershey.
May 2015, a Certificate of Appreciation from the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg was presented by its President, Dr. Joyce M. Davis to Vlada Prymak, WCC President.
December 2, 2015, Vlada Prymak, President of the WCC, achieved the Diversity Championship Award from the Campus Council on Diversity, the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine.
World Culture Club of Central PA programs were held at Penn State Milton S. Hershey's Medical Center and College of Medicine until May 2016. In the Fall of 2016, a brief partnership with the Hershey Story Museum was formed between September and December. Four programs on diversity and inclusion were presented at the museum building.
After this alliance ended, the WCC met at the Hershey Public Library where three programs on cultural topics were discussed from March 2017 to May 2017.
The World Culture Club is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. We welcome your donations. They may be tax-deductible (consult your tax preparer). Your donation helps to obtain a broad range of speakers, bringing presentations that further the mission of expanding knowledge, tolerance and understanding. All presentations are open to the public.