The College of Education and Human Sciences and the Malaika Foundation will host a Gala Celebration of African Art, Cuisine and Fashion on Sept. 27.
The gala is 6 to 9 p.m. at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, 1523 N. 33rd St. The purpose of the event is to raise funds for scholarships to support education abroad experiences for students in Education and Human Sciences.
Tickets are available online at the UNL Marketplace, http://go.unl.edu/dfp. Cost is $50 for adults and $10 for students.
African paintings, carvings, masks, textiles and costumes from the collection of UNL alumna Natalie Hahn will be sold through live and silent auction.
Hahn served the United Nations in Africa for 30-plus years. Organized by students, faculty and staff in the departments of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, and Nutrition and Health Sciences, the evening will include plentiful hors d’oeuvres inspired by African cuisine, a cash bar, live modeling of student fashions featuring African style, a performance of African dance, and drumming by the African Culture Connection led by Charles Ahovissi of Omaha.
The Malaika Foundation will present its 2013 Global Educator Award at the gala to J. Joe Ricketts, founder, benefactor and CEO of the Opportunity Education Foundation. Ricketts is also the founder and former CEO and former chairman of Omaha-based TD Ameritrade.
Several of the gala’s auction items are on display at the exhibit, “For the Body, For the Soul: African Textiles and Costumes,” in the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery in the Home Economics Building on UNL’s East Campus. The gala’s live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be conducted by nationally recognized auctioneers Ronnie Woodward and Russ Moravec.
A goal of the College of Education and Human Sciences is for every student in the college to have some type of global education experience, despite the financial restrictions that are often a barrier to participation. In an increasingly global society, both UNL and CEHS are emphasizing a global experience to help students better understand their world. Education abroad is also an appealing resume addition, as graduates seek employment or pursue additional academic work.
“To be fully engaged in a global society, we want every student to have a global experience during their studies in CEHS,” said Marjorie Kostelnik, dean of the college. “This celebration recognizes the importance of building relationships and understanding other cultures. We invite anyone to attend who has an interest in helping our students experience education abroad.”
For more information on the Malaika Foundation, go to http://www.malaikafoundation.org.
