African art gala and auction funds CEHS scholarships for education abroad

02 Aug 2013    

The College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the Malaika Foundation are hosting a Gala Celebration of African Art, Cuisine and Fashion from 6-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 at Quilt House, home of the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, 1523 N. 33rd St. in Lincoln. The gala will raise funds for scholarships to support education abroad experiences for students in CEHS.

Tickets are available online at the UNL Marketplace.  Cost is $50 for adults and $10 for students. African paintings, carvings, masks, textiles and costumes from the collection of Natalie Hahn will be sold through live and silent auction. Hahn served the United Nations in Africa for 30 plus years. Organized by students, faculty and staff in the departments of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design and Nutrition and Health Sciences, the evening will include plentiful hors d’oeuvres inspired by African cuisine, a cash bar, live modeling of student fashions featuring African style, a performance of African dance, and drumming by the African Culture Connection led by Charles Ahovissi of Omaha.

The Malaika Foundation will be presenting its 2013 Global Educator Award at the gala to J. Joe Ricketts, founder, benefactor and CEO of the Opportunity Education Foundation. Ricketts is also the founder and former CEO and former chairman of Omaha based TD Ameritrade.

Several of the gala’s auction items are currently on display at the exhibit, “For the Body, For the Soul: African Textiles and Costumes,” in the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery in the Human Sciences Building on UNL’s East Campus. The gala’s live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be conducted by nationally recognized auctioneers Ronnie Woodward and Russ Moravec.

Proceeds from the gala will provide scholarship assistance to CEHS students for international study trips, international internships, international exchange programs and other education abroad experiences. CEHS has a desire for every student in the college to have some type of global education experience, but financial restrictions are often a barrier to participation. In an increasingly global society, both UNL and CEHS are emphasizing a global experience to help students better understand their world. Education abroad is also an appealing resume addition, as graduates seek employment or pursue additional academic work.

“To be fully engaged in a global society, we want every student to have a global experience during their studies in CEHS,” said Marjorie Kostelnik, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. “This celebration recognizes the importance of building relationships and understanding other cultures. We invite anyone to attend who has an interest in helping our students experience education abroad.”

About CEHS
The College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a one-of-a-kind college in Nebraska, and one of only a handful of colleges in the country that combines the fields of teacher education; educational psychology; individual and family development; consumer sciences; counseling; leadership and administration; nutrition and health; special education; communication disorders; and textiles, clothing and design into a single college aimed at improving people’s lives. The interrelated and multidisciplinary nature of the College promotes innovative ways of looking at issues, asking questions, and seeking solutions to complex problems. cehs.unl.edu

About the Malaika Foundation
Founded in 1997, the Malaika Foundation offers Nebraska elementary and secondary teachers global educational resources and travel opportunities. The 501(c)3 nonprofit partners with the Nebraska Department of Education to support initiatives that increase the international focus of Nebraska teachers. Malaika is a Swahili word from Kenya, meaning “my angel.” Inspired by the late Robert Manley, an eminent Nebraska historian, Malaika was founded by Natalie Hahn, a Nebraska native and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned master’s degrees from The Ohio State University and Harvard University and a doctorate from Harvard. She worked for the United Nations for over 30 years, primarily in Africa. http://malaikafoundation.org