NE North Dakota News

The Memorial Union Gallery at the University of North Dakota has opened an exhibit titled “From Many Places, One Community,” a project led by the Department of Communication as part of UND CONNECT. The initiative seeks to highlight stories of immigration, identity, and the experience of becoming an American through photo portraits and video interviews.

According to the 2023 American Community Survey, approximately 4 percent of North Dakota’s population is foreign-born. While this is a small proportion compared to national figures, both UND and Grand Forks have become home to people from around the world.

The gallery features photos of 15 participants from 14 countries. Each portrait shows new Americans holding items that reflect their cultural heritage—a flag, book, or traditional clothing—demonstrating their ties to both their native countries and their new community.

“New Americans are not strangers,” said Associate Professor of Communication Joonghwa Lee, who conceived and led the project. “They are already part of UND and Grand Forks.”

At the exhibition opening on September 8, students involved in the project spoke about their roles in bringing it together. Kiera Musil described the extensive effort behind editing videos and photos for display: “There was a lot of work that many don’t see that got us to this moment today... We leaned on each other for help, support and guidance and worked on platforms we were just learning and mastering in our classes.”

UND President Andrew Armacost addressed attendees at the event: “Grand Forks has been notable in its support to those who are coming from other countries and choosing this community as their home. Folks do not shed their identities by coming to the United States. They grow in their connection to others, but they also should honor and celebrate the places from which they come. That’s what makes us Americans.”

The audience included portrait subjects, family members, city leaders, and university officials who expressed appreciation for seeing so many new Americans represented.

Originally connected with Constitution Day celebrations at UND—which now include annual naturalization ceremonies—the project expanded with funding from UND CONNECT into a yearlong undertaking led by Lee. He became a naturalized citizen himself last year.

“This became something much bigger than we talked about at the beginning of the project,” Lee said. “I’m very proud of it though, because all of the work has been done by students. They kept modifying the questionnaires and bringing in new ideas, and I think the end result captures the unique journeys of each person.”

Students gained hands-on experience conducting interviews, photographing participants, using video equipment, editing materials for public presentation—and collaborating closely throughout.

Musil reflected on setting up for opening day: “When we were setting up on Friday, we were like, ‘Whoa, this is it... It’s just so great seeing all the photos by each other... Today was a very ‘whoa’ moment — something I didn’t expect in my college career.”

Lauren Huso echoed these thoughts: “At first I thought my job was about documenting a few new Americans... I wasn’t just taking pictures. I was preserving history... Each face I photographed told a story of courage, sacrifice and hope.”

Lee emphasized student involvement throughout: “Our project is all done by students… We asked participants to bring cultural items and family members. We kept refining questions so photos and interviews could carry their unique journeys and culture.”

Agnes Selario Carlson participated after her daughter suggested she join; her portrait features her wrapped in a Philippine flag.

“I want to do that,” she recalled saying.

Carlson hoped sharing her story would encourage others considering naturalization: “Seeing the photos in gallery today gives us more like a sense of belonging — that there are actually people interested in knowing where we’ve come from…”

She noted challenges along her path but described citizenship as rewarding: “Holding that U.S. passport is kind of giving you that freedom… When you become a citizen you say ‘This is my home now.’ You can feel it. You belong.”