UMD News: January 24, 2013

Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830

Saba Andualem, a junior majoring in anthropology; Nahom Abegaze, a senior majoring in philosophy and communication, Salam Girmay, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry; and Tigist Temo, a junior majoring in cell and molecular biology; are four of the students presenting an Alworth Brown Bag Lecture presentation on Ethiopia.

DULUTH, MN — Learn how snow angels in Duluth will help bring clean water to Ethiopia during the University of Minnesota Duluth Alworth International Institute's Brown Bag Lecture presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 12 noon - 1 pm in UMD's Griggs Center. The program describes a project to help the Hamar Tribe of Ethiopia through the Make Your Mark: Angels for a Cause fundraiser.

Several UMD students with Ethiopian heritage will give a presentation about the economic, social, cultural, and political climate in Ethiopia. They will also talk about the Hamar, an ancient tribe affected by climate change so strongly, their way of life has dramatically changed. The students include Salam Girmay, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry; Saba Andualem, a junior majoring in anthropology; Tigist Temo, a junior majoring in cell and molecular biology; and Nahom Abegaze, a senior majoring in philosophy and communication. Girmay said the presentation is meaningful to her. "I came to UMD to study biochemistry so I could go back to Ethiopia and help with our freshwater problems," she said.

The Make Your Mark: Angels for a Cause fundraiser will support Global Team for Local Initiatives which was founded by Minnesota Rotarian Lori Pappas. The funds will help the tribe gain survival skills and the ability to secure fresh water. T.J. Lind, Minnesota DECA Vice President of Business & Industry, and PSEO student at UMD, and Bob Sherman, Duluth Rotary Club member, will talk about the fundraiser. Duluth area Rotarians and Proctor High School students are working to bring 9,000 people to UMD's Malosky Stadium on Saturday, February 9 to break the Guinness Book World Record for making snow angels. The recommended donation of $5 per person or $10 per family will go toward education and clean water for the Hamar tribe. Gates open at 9:30 am and "angels" start at 11 am. The current record is 8,963 snow angels, set in North Dakota.

The money raised goes to:
http://www.gtli.us/

More about UMD's effort:
http://www.d.umn.edu/external-affairs/homepage/13/record.html

More about Sponsorships and Tickets:
http://www.makeyourmarkduluth.com/

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