A colorful welcome back: Holi reflects PCC’s spirit of belonging
Story by Misty Bouse. Submitted Photos.
Originally rooted in Hindu tradition, Holi marks the arrival of spring.
Portland Community College students and faculty return to campus following the weeks-long labor strike but a recent celebration at Rock Creek Campus offers a timely reminder of what makes the college community strong: connection, renewal and belonging.
In early March, more than 200 students and community members gathered at the Rock Creek Campus for the seventh annual “Holi Festival of Colors.” The event featured Indian food, music, dance, a presentation and the tossing of organic colored powders, turning the afternoon into a joyful celebration of spring and togetherness.
Read about one student’s first-person account of experiencing the Holi celebration event at Rock Creek.
“People are hungry for cultural experiences, especially this one, which has been celebrated for thousands of years,” said Rock Creek Campus Mathematics Department Co-Chair Payal Roy, who is also the founder of the event. “Holi is a joyful festival that welcomes spring and celebrates unity, renewal and community as we come together for an afternoon of fun and connection.”
Payal Roy smears color on a student.
Originally rooted in Hindu tradition, Holi marks the arrival of spring and is widely known for the tossing of vibrant powders called gulal, often made from natural ingredients such as flowers, herbs and spices. Participants wear white so the bright reds, greens, blues, yellows, pinks and oranges are absorbed and stand out, creating a vivid expression of joy and new beginnings.
Roy said that looking back after the college’s labor stoppages, she feels the message from Holi is very relevant.
“Holi brings complete strangers and even adversaries together,” she said.
Through this lens, she highlighted powerful lessons for teachers inspired by nature.
“Nature is the silent, ever-present guide that teaches through every season, every storm, every sunrise, and every change,” explained Roy, who shared that she is inspired by nature, which was the theme of the Holi presentation. “Nature is the biggest free classroom.”
Her presentation also included that nature’s native language is mathematics. Examples include bees as “master geometers” using hexagons because it is the most mathematically efficient shape for storing honey and that sunflowers follow the Fibonnacci sequence in arranging their circular pattern seed heads for maximization.
“Nature doesn’t only teach math, it also teaches how to lead life,” Roy continued. “We need both IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence) to succeed.”
On campus, the celebration also reflects something deeper: a commitment to creating spaces where students feel welcomed, supported and seen. It is a community effort and sponsored by Rock Creek’s Multicultural, Women’s Resource, and Veterans Resource centers, as well as the Math Department.
That sense of belonging matters, especially as the college community returns to classrooms, offices and shared spaces this spring. According to Roy, PCC student Brinda Fnu and her friends at the multicultural center created Instagram posts to increase awareness of the festival.
“Holi means a lot to me because I grew up playing Holi, and it brought so much joy to my life as a child and now as an adult,” Fnu said. “It was always a time filled with colors, joy and pure happiness.”
Now, she enjoys sharing that tradition with friends at PCC.
PCC student Brinda Fnu helped promote Holi.
“My friends at PCC also love Holi because they get excited about the colors, music and food,” she said. “It brings everyone together for a good time.”
Fnu, a graduate of Westview High School, said PCC has also been an important part of her academic journey. She plans to transfer to a four-year university after completing her associate degree and hopes to build a career in data science, with long-term interests in technology that can improve education, health and innovation.
“Being at PCC has helped me build confidence, leadership skills and meaningful connections, and it has prepared me for my future goals in technology,” she said.
As the the college community settles back into the rhythm of spring term, Holi’s message feels especially fitting: renewal is possible, community matters and everyone has a place here.
For students reconnecting with classmates and for faculty returning to their classrooms, the colors of Holi offer a welcome and reminder that PCC is brightest when people come together. Fnu encourages students to take part in campus life and use the support around them.
“PCC is supportive, affordable and provides many opportunities to grow academically and personally,” Fnu said. “Use the support, opportunities and activities provided to make your PCC experience better.”
For more on PCC’s belonging resources, visit the college’s Student Life webpage.
Or to enroll and sign up for classes, check out PCC’s Admissions page.