Latino Film Festival, Oct. 2-7

I just read in the “Daily News-Record” that the Latino Film Festival will be held Oct. 2-7 in Harrisonburg. Madison World Changer Karina Kline-Gabel is the Arts Council of the Valley board member who oversees the annual festival. The festival provides a great opportunity to see films that emphasize character development rather than Hollywood pyrotechnics. Entertainment and enlightment–terrific combination!

Want to read more about the festival? Check out the “Daily News-Record” online:
http://www.dailynews-record.com/artsandentertainment_details.php?AID=12442&CHID=5&sub=Escape

You can read Karina’s profile on JMU’s Be the Change Web site at:
http://www.jmu.edu/bethechange/kline-gabel.shtml

It’s International Week!

It’s International Week at JMU, and the Office of International Programs’ theme for the weeklong event is “European Union: United in Diversity.” This evening Dr. Angelos Pangratis, deputy head of delegation at the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, speaks on “The Future for EU/US Economic and Political Relations.” Other events include an international bazaar, a study abroad fair, the movie “L’Auberge Espagnole” and a late night international breakfast featuring a karaoke contest.

Good chance for us to celebrate diversity at JMU and relish the international flavor of our Harrisonburg community!

Check out this link for more info!
http://www.jmu.edu/international/iweek/schedule.shtml

Thousands pack JMU’s Convocation Center for Desmond Tutu

The Most Rev. Desmond Tutu, recipient of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize, spoke at James Madison University on the International Day of Peace, Friday, Sept. 21. During this program he received the Mahatma Gandhi Global Nonviolence Award. The award is the JMU Mahatma Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence’s top honor. You can read the text of Archbishop Tutu’s speech at:

http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/news/general9024.shtml

Read the news report at the Daily News Record online:

http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=12362&CHID=1

David LaMotte to be featured in ‘World Ark’

Received a note from Madison World Changer David LaMotte (‘90) letting me know that he’ll be featured in the upcoming “World Ark” magazine, the publication of Heifer International, in their “Heroes of Humanity” series.

You can read David’s “Be the Change” profile at:
http://www.jmu.edu/bethechange/LaMotte.shtml

Learn more about Heifer International at:
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.183217/

Mary Slade announces Thanksgiving 2007 relief trip to New Orleans

If you’ve read Dr. Mary Slade’s “Be the Change” profile, you’re aware of her volunteer work in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. I just received an e-mail from Mary that JMU’s College of Education is sponsoring a relief trip this Thanksgiving and JMU administrators, and faculty and staff members are invited to participate:

“JMU Thanksgiving ‘07 NOLA Relief Trip Announces Information Sessions

The College of Education is sponsoring a relief trip to the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, LA during the Thanksgiving Break in order to help recover, rebuild, and restore the hardest hit area of the city—the Ninth Ward. ALL JMU students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us. For your convenience, three separate trip information sessions are being held at the dates, times, and places listed below. If you have any questions regarding the trip or you cannot make any of the information sessions, please contact faculty co-leader Dr. Mary Slade (slademl@jmu.edu) (540 568-2886) or student co-leader, Justin Broughman (broughjm@jmu.edu

Monday, September 24, 2007 Noon-1 pm 305 Taylor
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 7-8:30 pm HHS 209
Thursday, September 27, 2007 7-8:30 pm 3115 Memorial Hall”

You can read Mary’s “Be the Change” profile at:

www.jmu.edu/bethechange/slade.shtml

Read the history of Matt Miller’s C Different Foundation

This month’s issue of C Different Foundation’s newsletter includes a focus feature on the history of the foundation and how Matt Miller’s decision to do “something more” developed into an organization that has allowed the visually impaired to follow their dreams and lead active and healthy lives. Visit the C Different Web site for news and to sign up for your copy of their inspirational newsletter at:
http://www.cdifferent.org/

Read Matt’s Be the Change profile at:

http://www.jmu.edu/BeTheChange/miller.shtml