Students from Ingushetia Visit Daemen College

On September 10, a group of students from Ingushetia, Russia visited Daemen College. The visit is the result of a developing relationship between the Department of History & Political Science and the World Life Institute's Project Life War Orphans Rehabilitation Program. For more information on Project Life, click here: http://www.projectlife-wli.org/

Dena Adler and Linda Redfield Shakoor

Over the past year, Dena Adler and Linda Redfield Shakoor (World Life Institute's Program Director) have worked with Dr. Andrew Wise and Dr. Joseph Sankoh of the History & Political Science Department and Dr. Shirley Peterson (Dean of the Division of Arts & Sciences) to develop cultural exchanges and Service Learning opportunities for Daemen students.

The lecture by students from Ingushetia, Russia is the result of these discussions. Dali Kushtova, Liuba Ozieva, and Khava Gorchkhanova provided a fascinating lecture to students in Dr. Wise's HST/IND 345 Introduction to Russian Culture class. They also answered questions about the history and culture of their home region (Ingushetia is a republic located in the Northern Caucasus and is part of the Russian Republic), and their experiences while visiting the US for the first time.

L-R: Dali Kushtova, Liuba Ozieva, & Khava Gorchkhanova

Dr. Wise assisting Liuba Ozieva before the guest lecture

Audience attending guest lecture

After the lecture, Daemen students, faculty, and guests enjoyed a reception at Rosary Hall.

Dr. Shirley Peterson presenting gifts to visiting students

Rosary Hall Reception

Our guests from Ingushetia return home next week. As a result of this visit, plans are underway for continued contact and dialogue between Daemen students, especially members of the History & Government Club and English Club, and students in Ingushetia. This will initially focus on discussions about the history and culture of Ingushetia, including the works of Idris Bazorkin (1910-1991), who is widely regarded as the founder of modern Ingush literature. Bazorkin's "Ages of Darkness" was recommended by the students from Ingushetia, and an excerpt from his "Evening Prayers" was already included on the reading list for Dr. Wise's course.

Anyone interested in opportunities related to these cultural exchanges should contact Dr. Andrew Wise at awise@daemen.edu.

Anyone interested in Service Learning opportunities related to the Project Life War Orphans Rehabilitation Program should contact Dr. Joseph Sankoh at jsankoh@daemen.edu.