Gala Reception for Rescuers Exhibit, March 25th

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

3-22-2013

Campus Unit

Chester Fritz Library

Abstract

Editor’s note: This event was originally scheduled for Monday, March 18, but was postponed to March 25 due to inclement weather

(GRAND FORKS, ND) – The UND Center for Human Rights and Genocide Studies (CHRGS) announced that, along with special guest First Lady Marcia Kelley, it will hold a Gala Opening Reception for the photo exhibition “The Rescuers: Picturing Moral Courage” on Monday, March 25 at 7 p.m., in the East Asian Room of the Chester Fritz Library. Through images and text, the exhibition tells the story of brave individuals who risked everything to save would-be victims in atrocity situations, including the Holocaust and genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, and Bosnia. You can learn more about the Exhibition at proof.org.

In addition to First Lady Marcia Kelley, speakers at the event will include Director of Libraries Wilbur Stolt, former genocide prosecutor Gregory S. Gordon, Exhibition Creator Leora Khan (via Skype), and CHRGS Program Manager Lilie Schoenack. Programming connected to the exhibition will involve, on a weekly basis, one professor and one UND student presenting on one of the genocides featured. The professor will provide the historical context and the student will tell the story of a rescuer.

The Center would not have been able to bring the Exhibition to UND without the generous support of Tolerance Minnesota, a Program of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

During the last twenty years, countries around the world have been torn apart by ethnic, religious, and political violence. In all of this turmoil, however, there are also remarkable stories of ordinary heroes who risk their lives to save members of targeted groups. The Rescuers Project, a follow-up program to the exhibition, supports healing and reconciliation in post-conflict countries by recording and highlighting the stories of those who resisted overwhelming prejudice and violence by reaching out to condemned groups.

Gordon is the Director of the CHRGS and Associate Professor of Law at the University of North Dakota School of Law. He said that it is an honor to have First Lady Kelley as a special guest at the opening and to involve students in the programming.

“The Center is honored that First Lady Kelley has agreed to take part in an event honoring those brave individuals that have risked their lives to save others,” said Gordon. “This exhibition will highlight the selflessness of those who refused to give in to evil. It will also allow UND students to take part in research and presentations.

O’ for Heaven’s Cakes N’ More will generously donate fresh-baked desserts and coffee for the event.

The Rescuers Exhibition will be featured in the Chester Fritz Library until April 12th, during regular library hours.

Further Programming

Time: March 26, at 6 p.m.

Location: the East Asian Room of the Chester Fritz Library

Brian Urlacher and UND student Gabriel Vossberg will discuss the history and rescuer roles related to the Rwandan Genocide.

Time: April 4, at 7 p.m.

Location: the Baker Courtroom of the Law School

Terry Shoptaugh of Minnesota State University Moorhead will present clips from Schindler’s List and discuss the Holocaust.

Time: April 9, at 7 p.m.

Location: the East Asian Room of the Chester Fritz Library

John Cox of NDSU and UND student Kamrin Rausch will discuss the history and rescuer roles related to the Bosnian Genocide.

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