Making unknown cultures known was on the agenda Sept. 24 for many students throughout the four-state area. The Festival of Friends 2005 was held at the Central Park in Carthage. "The ultimate goal of the festival is to promote the various cultures that live in the four-state area," said Bill Trudeau, director of the international English program.
As part of the Mexico Semester, Dr. Christopher Powell and Dr. Edwin Barnhart, directors of the Maya Exploration Center in Mexico, gave five lectures over the course of three days to students at Missouri Southern focusing on the ancient Maya culture. Powell, an archaeologist with more than 20 years experience, gave the first lecture, "Maya History: Culture Origins to Spanish Conquest," on Sept.