A STUDENT sporting a pair of pink Bermuda shorts ? and no shoes ? in chilly Mid-Western weather conditions turned heads and garnered front-page news coverage when he represented the island at his Illinois college's international exposition.

Chris Astwood of Somerset was featured on the front page of the after Knox College held its annual celebration of campus diversity on January 28.

"A young man striding around the Knox College campus barefoot in hot pink Bermuda shorts may not be a common sight in January, but it was just one indication that the 25th annual Knox College International Fair was under way," the paper reported.

"International student Chris Astwood, 21, of Somerset, Bermuda, chose the ensemble typical of balmier climes to represent his heritage.

"As the only Bermudian student, he represented his country by carrying his native flag during the flag ceremony and sharing his country's national greeting, 'Woppenin',' when he stepped up the microphone.

"Astwood said 'woppenin' is a slang term meaning 'What's up?' and is reflective of the laid-back vibe in Bermuda. He didn't own a pair of shoes until age five, he said, and is more comfortable barefoot than wearing shoes."

The 2006 theme was "Sankofa", which means to use history to improve the present and future, according to Cathy Walters, co-ordinator of the International Fair.

Renee Anderson, a sophomore from Alton and vice-president of the Knox chapter of Amnesty International, had her tray loaded full with dishes from Ireland, Japan, France and Mexico.

"I think sometimes in America we don't really expose ourselves to other cultures," Anderson said. "What better time than college? A lot of my friends are international students, and it's really nice to see them show me a part of their culture."

Knoxis a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 45 states and 42 nations.

The collegewas founded in 1837 by social reformers who opposed slavery in all its forms and believed deeply in the potential of every human being to learn and grow and contribute to the greater good of the community.

One of those founders, Rev. Samuel Wright, was also the founder of Galesburg's anti-slavery society and an active participant in the Underground Railroad, sheltering and aiding runaway slaves for more than a decade.