When tragedy strikes distant reaches of the world, it is easy to imagine what others must be living through. It’s another thing to decide to do something about it.
A Unique Opportunity
Sierra Nevada College, a leader in liberal arts education, has partnered with the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) to do more than offer the 27,000 university students displaced by the April 5th earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy sympathy from afar. They want to ensure that the individualized college experience provided by Sierra Nevada College is available to 100 deserving students from the University of L’Aquila. Located just a few blocks from Lake Tahoe, the college is an inspiring educational setting for teaching and learning. Nestled among the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains and focused on students, Sierra Nevada College offers more than thirty areas of study and degrees in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master of Education.
The mission at Sierra Nevada College is to educate students to be scholars of and contributors to a sustainable world. There is no better way to demonstrate our mission and values than to provide a distinct educational experience for these students in need of a place to continue their higher education while their university is being rebuilt.
The Harsh Reality
“The earthquake that struck L'Aquila has destroyed not only the lives of many and the houses of most, but the cultural, scientific, social and productive life of the city as well. L'Aquila was famous for its historical buildings and churches and the mountains around it, for its fine arts and its university.”
- www.ideasforlaquila.org/index.php
“The Student's House, the dormitory of the University, collapsed, and some students died; the buildings of the Humanistic Faculty, the Chancellor's office and the administrative offices are practically burned to the ground; the International Relations Office underwent severe and critical damages. The sites of the other Faculties, distant from the city centre, suffered huge damages.”
- www.esn.ch/winterthur/?q=news/earthquake_in_laquila_what_esn_can_do
How You Can Help
The Adopt-A-Student Campaign, a partnership between Sierra Nevada College at Lake Tahoe and The National Italian American Foundation, is committed to providing academic scholarships to 100 deserving students from the University of L’Aquila for the full 2009/2010 school year.
A donation of $20,000 will cover one student’s discounted tuition, the cost of textbooks and supplies, room and board, and transportation to/from Italy.
Sierra Nevada College is offering $15,000 scholarships to all qualified students, which covers the balance due on tuition, plus any additional costs above your donation of $20,000.
Sierra Nevada College needs your support to accomplish something that will forever change the lives of students from the University of L’Aquila and equally touch the lives of the students at Sierra Nevada College, inspiring exceptional learning experiences, international relationships, and global leadership.
“We have not words enough to thank all of you for the deep sympathy and support we have received during these days. As researchers of University of L'Aquila, we face a period of re-construction that will be long, energy-consuming and extremely challenging. We now, therefore, want to ask you to help us. We need all your creativity, competence, technical skills, support, attention and continuity.” - www.ideasforlaquila.org/index.php
Please join the Adopt-A-Student Campaign and make a difference today! Call our office for assistance.
$20,000 provides all expenses for one displaced student from the University of L’Aquila, Italy to attend Sierra Nevada College, Lake Tahoe, Nevada for the 2009/10 academic year.
$100,000 provides all expenses for five displaced students from the University of L’Aquila, Italy to attend Sierra Nevada College, Lake Tahoe, Nevada for the 2009/10 academic year.
I would like to receive the name and contact information for my Adopt-A-Student(s).
For more information about the Adopt-A-Student Campaign at Sierra Nevada College, Lake Tahoe, contact Madylon Meiling, Ph.D., Vice President for Development and University Relations, mmeiling@sierranevada.edu or 775-881-7522.
For more information about NIAF/Abruzzo Adopt-a-Student Program, contact Serena Cantoni, Director of Education and Culture, serena@niaf.org, 202-939-3111 or www.niaf.org. The National Italian American Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent.
SNC is a 501 (c ) (3) non-profit organization and your contributions are tax deductable.
Please join the Adopt-A-Student Campaign and make a difference today! Call our office for assistance.