Fourth annual Whitworth Symposium Nov. 18 to feature director of World Relief's Spokane office

International Education Week also to include student poster presentations, dance performance by Mukogawa Women's University students

In anticipation of International Education Week Nov. 15-19, the Whitworth School of Education and history department, in conjunction with Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, will sponsor a symposium, "Education for the Global Heart and Mind," featuring an address by Mark Kadel, director of World Relief's Spokane office, and a keynote speech by Dr. Larry Burnley, Whitworth's assistant vice president for intercultural relations. Kadel and Burnley will speak on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Weyerhaeuser Hall. The symposium also will feature student poster presentations and a dance performance by students from Mukogawa Women's University. A question-and-answer session will conclude the evening's events. Admission to the symposium is free; the event is open to the public.

Kadel came to World Relief in Spokane with 17 years experience working with refugees and victimized people suffering persecution. Working for nine years as missionaries in the Balkan area of Eastern Europe, Kadel and his family provided humanitarian assistance to victims of civil war in both Albania and Kosovo. After returning to the U.S. in 2002, Kadel started working with World Relief as a case manager. Before coming to Spokane, he served as affiliate director for World Relief's North Carolina offices, where he oversaw refugee resettlement and assisted programs that work with victims of human trafficking for the High Point, Durham, Asheville and Winston-Salem offices. Kadel has also served as a pastor in Meridian, Idaho, and he is a frequent speaker at mission and youth conferences across the country.

Larry Burnley holds a bachelor's degree in African American studies from the University of Cincinnati, and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Pennsylvania, where his dissertation focused on the role of African Americans in the founding of African American schools associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He also holds an M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary, and he is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In his previous position at Messiah College, Burnley led in the creation of a comprehensive diversity strategic plan for the campus; offered training and professional development in multicultural competencies; chaired the racial justice and multicultural education committee; and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the college's office of multicultural programs. He previously served as executive for racial/ethnic relations for global ministries of the Christian Church and the United Church of Christ, and as director of the Greenfield Intercultural Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He publishes and speaks widely and has received numerous awards for his scholarship and service.

According to the U.S. Department of Education website, the purpose of International Education Week, which is endorsed by the U.S. Departments of Education and State, is to build international understanding, to encourage programs that prepare Americans for life in a global environment, and to attract future leaders from abroad to study in the United States. The week is celebrated by more than 100 countries worldwide.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Dana Stevens, instructor of special education, School of Education, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3269 or dstevens@whitworth.edu.

Emily Proffitt, public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or eproffitt@whitworth.edu.