College to Host Speaker from Rwanda

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Westminster College will host Paul Rusesabagina to speak on "Hotel Rwanda: A Lesson Yet to be Learned" Thursday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. in Wallace Memorial Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

Rusesabagina was manager of the Sabena Hotel des Milles Collines and Hotel Des Diplomates in Kigali, Rwanda, during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. By using his connections and influence, he was able to save the lives of more than 1,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus,

He was portrayed by actor Don Cheadle in the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda.

Rusesabagina, author of the autobiography An Ordinary Man, travels the world to spread his message of hope, peace, and "never again." He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award, the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award, and founded the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation to provide support, care, and assistance to children orphaned by, and women abused during, the genocide.

Rusesabagina's presentation is sponsored by Westminster's Student Government Association, Office of Diversity Services, Diversity Symposium, Black Student Union, International Cultures Club, First-Year Program, Peace Studies, Department of Poitical Science and Sociology, and Amnesty International.

Contact Ethan Frey, diversity chair of Westminster's Student Government Association, at (570) 239-7757 or e-mail ethan@aidemocracy.org for more information.

About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is a top tier liberal arts college and a national leader in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges. Westminster ranked third among liberal arts colleges in social mobility, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 371 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.