Our Mission
The Mission of CGU is to promote cultural awareness and understanding here and abroad
In The Beginning...
Originally established as the Lubbock International Cultural Center, Inc., we are now doing business as the Center for Global Understanding. Our commitment and focus remains on promoting local, regional and international educational opportunities.
South Plains College 18th Annual Scholarship Gala Promotion
Bringing the World to West Texas and
West Texas to the World
Purpose, Vision & Values
What We Support
Our Purpose:
Foster an understanding of different cultures while building relationships with and among the peoples of our world.
Our Vision:
A world where we achieve and maintain a profound understanding and appreciation of each other
Our Values:
Educational | Inspirational | Cultural | Humanitarian | Non-partisan
Our Mission:
Promoting cultural awareness and understanding here and abroad.
The Center for Global Understanding fund projects that fulfill the Center’s mission of promoting cultural awareness and understanding here and abroad.
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The Center for Global Understanding funds international education programs that reach kindergarten – 12th grade students and teachers of the South Plains through a variety of global educational activities.
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The Center for Global Understandingg provides funding to support the cultural organizations in West Texas.
Center for Global Understanding 2022 Board of Directors
Bobby McCloud
President
Barbara Gilley
Vice President
Clyde Neff
Secretary
Catherine Paulino-Salcido
Treasurer
2022 Board Members
Carl Isett
Joe Scarborough
Rebecca Ramirez
Dr. Roger Wolcott
Roshan Bhakta
Calvin Davis, J.D.
Reynald Lops
Gulrez “Gus” Khan
Juan Munguia
David Cho
Kyle Carruth
Jordan Flores
FOUNDING MEMBER, THOMAS JAY HARRIS
Jay Harris was born in Stephenville, Texas May 21, 1918. His family later moved to Lubbock after his father was advised by Charles A. Guy, editor of what would become the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, that Lubbock was a fine place to live. This was perhaps the first time that Jay's life was entwined with the AJ. In Seventh Grade, Jay broke his arm playing sandlot football, and at the prompting of his teacher began writing a classroom newspaper. This began Jay's introduction to the newspaper business.
Jay was so successful with the classroom newspaper that he was recommended to become editor of the Lubbock High School Westerner World newspaper. After high school, Jay was awarded a four year scholarship in journalism to Texas Tech University. Upon graduation, Jay and three friends took a road trip deep into Mexico. This was his first introduction to other cultures, a subject that through journalism became a life's focus.
After graduation, he took a job at the Lubbock Avalanche Journal as sports editor and then moved to the news department. At the outbreak of World War II, Jay joined the Army Air Force and served at the South Plains Army Air Field as a journalist, writing stories about pilot training and the men and women stationed there for both local, regional and the hometown newspapers of the glider pilots and support personnel who trained there. Jay met his wife Laura Louise while serving in the Army.
After the war, Jay moved back to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal as a sports reporter where he won many awards. He then became news editor, covering the rapid growth of Lubbock and Texas Tech University. He held the position of editor for 46 years.
Jay retired from the Avalanche Journal and was named as Editor Emeritus. Soon after, Bob Norris, the new publisher, asked Jay to represent the AJ by undertaking extensive travel and report on the world for the citizens of West Texas. Along with his beloved wife Laura Louise, also avidly interested in world affairs and cultures, he traveled the world from South Africa to Europe, from the Middle East to Japan, reporting on the events and major personalities of the 1960's, 70's and 80's. Jay met many world leaders during his travels, including Mikhail Gorbachev.
It became Jay's passion to communicate the diversity and wonder of the world to the people of the South Plains, and it was his belief that this offered an early opportunity, in the days before cable TV and the internet, to begin to understand the world as a place with divergent cultures, that sooner or later, we as Americans, Texans, and citizens of Lubbock would have to deal with. The mission of international education was going to become the most important aspect of this new world. An informed citizenry in America, Jay believed, was a must for our survival in the emerging globalized world.
Jay always viewed Lubbock as the "Jewel of the South Plains", and envisioned an International Cultural Center as a major addition to that jewel. In the late 1980's and early 1990's his vision took hold, and through tremendous efforts by Jay and many other individuals, in 1996 the International Cultural Center of Texas Tech University became a reality--a reality that has opened windows on the world for the students, teachers and all people of West Texas. He died on February 26, 2006. His life was celebrated by family and friends, and his legacy lives on at the International Cultural Center at Texas Tech University.
Gifts and Sponsorships
The Center for Global Understanding is currently revising and streamlining our gifting processes. We will update information on how to pursue funding for your programs and activities soon. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Center at:
The Center for Global Understanding - Lubbock International Cultural Center, Inc.
Post Office Box 30
Lubbock, Texas 79408-0030
806-535-4245
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Contact Us
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© 2023 The Center for Global Understanding. All rights reserved.
Lubbock International Cultural Center, Inc
PO Box 30 • Lubbock, TX 79408 • 806-535-4245
A 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation