Southwestern College Collegian

Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Features

They have been around campus for the last two years. Three have visited Southwestern so far. They are from Belarus, a small country next to Russia. They have been coming so that students can learn more about their country. It was all a part of the plan to begin The Center for Belarusian Studies. The Center for Belarusian Studies came to be because of the interest of former student and first U.S. Ambassador to Belarus, David Swartz. Academic dean Andy Sheppard said, "The Center for Belarusian Studies was founded because a Southwestern College student discovered what he loved and became very good at doing what he loved. "After his career as a U.S. Ambassador, he found a way to combine his love for the world with his love for the college," said Sheppard. But even though they have been here for the last two years, The Center is just now opening its doors. Sheppard said that the Center for Belarusian Studies is an organization that has been in the works for a couple of years. It has reached the final stages of planning and a date for the opening has been set. The organization has selected April 19. It is the day that they will officially introduce The Center for Belarusian Studies to the world. Everyone is invited to attend the lecture that will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wichita's Hyatt Regency Hotel. A man named Stanislau Shushkevich will be giving the lecture. He was the first President of Independent Belarus, and is a renowned inventor and scholar. Shushkevich has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. But above all else he is a man known for his role in the Cold War. Sheppard believes that listening to President Shushkevich's lecture is important for students because he is a man who has made such a large impact on our world. "The world in which you live is a new world because it is a post Cold War era. It's President Sushkevich that ended the war. He in fact is the architect of your new world," said Sheppard. While the event may seem formal, and not very student friendly, Sheppard encourages students to attend. "You've chosen to come to Southwestern. We say that we believe in leadership through service in a world without boundaries. This is a concrete expression of that. It's who we are as Moundbuilders." He also said that it is a good opportunity to learn more about America. Sheppard also said that the event may also provide networking opportunities for students. Peggy Williams is a sophomore majoring in journalism. You may e-mail her at peggy.williams@sckans.edu.

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