10.28.2009
Concordia University Texas to Host Annual Service-Learning Week
Service-Learning Week Encourages Students, Faculty and Staff to Serve as Christian Disciples in the Community
Concordia University Texas will host the third-Annual Service-Learning Week, held Sunday, November 1 through Saturday, November 7.
African native, Tsehai Wodajo, is this years’ keynote speaker. Wodajo is the founder and executive director of Resources for Enrichment of African Lives (REAL) and co-founder of Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE).
“With the honor of Tsehai speaking at Service-Learning Week we are confident her message will enrich the lives of our students,” Dr. Ann Schwartz, Service-Learning Program Coordinator at Concordia University Texas, said. “Her message encourages students to take an active role in their education.”
With a diverse professional background in Ethiopia and the United States, Wodajo focuses on women and girls’ empowerment. She has received several awards and acknowledgements for her work and dedication to cultural social services.
Wodajo received a Master’s in Social Work from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Addis Abada University in Ethiopia. Currently, Wodajo serves as a senior planning analyst at Hennepin County Joint Police Partnership.
This year’s Service-Learning week will include:
Sunday, November 1
• Concordia team participation in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Monday, November 2
• A service fair with information on different service events around campus and in the community from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• A service opportunity to learn how to participate in outreach to persecuted Christians from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• A campus viewing of the recently released “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” from 7 p.m. to 9p.m. with a group discussion following.
Wednesday, November 4
• The Robert C. Greene Endowed Lectureship in Service-Learning featuring Tsehai Wodajo at 11:30 a.m.
• The Making it REAL event, where attendees will learn more about what life is really like for girls in Ethiopia through an interactive event and informal discussion with Tsehai Wodajo from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 5
• A service opportunity at Summit Nursing Home from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 6
• A benefit concert for Water to Thrive and REAL from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dance the night away while making a difference in Ethiopia! This event will feature an Austin band, The Stingrays. The $10 admittance fee benefits the Concordia water well in Ethiopia through Water to Thrive and the REAL program.
Saturday, November 7
• A service opportunity with the Texas Ramp Project, where attendees will build access ramps in the Austin area.
• A service opportunity at Lifelong Friends from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about Service-Learning Week, e-mail servicelearning@concordia.edu.
About Concordia University Texas
Concordia University Texas is an award-winning institution of higher education, with satellite centers in Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. A privately-owned, accredited, liberal arts university, Concordia is owned and operated by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It is a member of the highly respected Concordia University System in which more than 19,000 students are enrolled nationwide. Fall 2008 showed the highest enrollment at Concordia with more than 2,200 students.
