Walden Savings Bank sponsors global initiative

| 01 Oct 2013 | 12:35

MIDDLETOWN — With the support of a gift from Walden Savings Bank, SUNY Orange will conduct a yearlong “Global Initiative: Africa” program that will foster exploration of the history, culture, politics, music and social issues throughout Africa.

This year’s focus on Africa marks the fifth Global Initiative organized by the college since 2007. Previous Global Initiative programs examined Latin America, sustainability, Asia and global health.

Second grant
Walden Savings Bank’s sponsorship of Global Initiative: Africa is part of a recent three-year, $30,000 pledge by the bank to the college. The bank’s gift will underwrite additional college programs, yet to be determined, in future years.

This is the second commitment by the bank’s Board of Directors to the SUNY Orange Foundation’s “Defining Moments” capital campaign. In 2007 the bank made a pledge of $25,000.

Global Initiative is a college-wide interdisciplinary focus on a topic of global importance. Each initiative seeks to expand students’ horizons, bring academic departments together in collaboration and infuse a global perspective on the College’s curriculum. It is also intended to incorporate the community-at-large into the topical discussions and events.

Programs
A sampling of Global Initiative: Africa events planned for the fall semester includes:

A discussion on the African Middle Stone Age.

A presentation on competition by the United States and China in Africa.

An African History Day.
An investigation into bio-diversity in Africa.

A look at novelist Harvey Swados, writer Chinua Achebe and the Nigerian-Biafran War.

A performance of the Kofi and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble.

For more information on “Global Initiative: Africa,” contact SUNY Orange at 845-341-4983 or visit www.sunyorange.edu/gi.