4A
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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》 NONPROFIT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2008
Recent KU graduate becomes president of United Way
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
New CEO for the United Way, Erika Dvorske, mingles with visitors at the Eldridge Hotel Wednesday night an at awards ceremony. Dvorske graduated from the University in 2000 with a master's in English.
BY ANDY GREENHAW
agreenhaw@kansan.com
Erika Dvorske, University alumna, remembers the moment that inspired her to become more involved in her community.
She was in high school volunteer for an Angel Tree Christmas event when she found herself in a deep conversation with a quadriplegic man.
"We had a lovely conversation about the importance of people giving of themselves," Dvorske said.
After the man left, another volunteer explained to Dvorske that the man was a star high school football player with a full-ride college scholarship.
"I realized that we all have the opportunity to impact someone else," Dvorske said. "That opportunity might only come along once, so we need to take advantage of it."
She is now the president and CEO of United Way of Douglas County. Wednesday night the organization announced that it raised $1.72 million in one year. That's $20 thousand more than the annual campaign expected, and 5 percent more than it raised last year.
It was a lot more than Chuck Warner, co-chairman of the campaign, expected.
"We were concerned when we started that the economy was
really slow, but the town and the University and all the businesses in the area came together and did a really great job," he said.
United Way also announced it awarded a $47.2 thousand grant to the local Skills Builder Program, which helps widows develop skills for living alone.
Dvorske said she was unsure how the rest of the money would be distributed.
"I'm just trying to get my feet on the ground for now," she said. "I'm excited to be in Lawrence and I'm excited to be working with these great people."
Dvorske graduated from the University of Tulsa in 1995 and volunteered for the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. for a year in Sacramento, Calif. She eventually enrolled at the University and earned a master's degree in Slavic Literature in 1998 and also earned a master's in English.
Dvorske started working for United Way in an unpaid research and marketing position.
She said her job was to ask the different agencies to report on what elements of their programs made the most impact.
Shortly after graduating in 2001,
"We need to measure our progress," said Dvorske. "It's not about helping 'x' amount of people."
The United Way of Douglas County promoted her in 2003 to the director of community investments, which gave her full responsibility over the distribution of funds.
After working in that position for more than five years, she is now president and CEO of the organization.
"I think she's going to be wonderful," Warner said. "Erika brings a lot of energy and personality to the job."
Edited by Matt Hirschfeld
》 ACTIVISM
Groups gather to denounce al-Qaida terrorists' actions
BY ANDREW WIEBE
awiebe@kansan.com
This afternoon at the Kansas Union, more than 10 student groups will come together to honor the memory of Senegalese police officer and United Nations peacekeeper Babacar Ndiaye. The groups will also express support for his wife, former KU doctoral student Selbelie Diouf, by denouncing the actions of the terrorist group, al-Qaida.
Emmanuel Birdling, outreach coordinator for the Kansas African Studies Center, said he expected representatives from the Black Student Union, Chabad Jewish Student Group and Amnesty International to attend, among others. The groups will take turns making a brief statement expressing their solidarity and denouncing the actions of al-Qaida. Students are encouraged to attend, Birdling said.
Ndiyae was the victim of a Dec. 11, 2007, blast from two car bombs that tore apart a block in Algeria's capital of Algiers. Hospital officials treating victims estimated between 40 and 60 innocent people lost their lives to an al-Qaida terrorist organization targeting UN offices and the constitutional court.
Sarah Madden, Topela senior, studied abroad in Senegal in the fall of 2005. Diouf was one of her professors while studying in Dakar, Madden said Diouf positively influenced her experience in Senegal and she was saddened by Ndiaye's death.
"Having this happen to such a sweet lady is very disturbing and upsetting," Madden said. "Nobody deserves to have to go through that."
Ndiaye and Diouf were both active on campus. Birdling said both had been active in his organization and Ndiaye made a presentation at a KASC seminar.
He said the tragedy was a personal reminder that violence, like the bombings in Algeria, has a wide-sweeping effect.
"For me, this is the closest that it has
Details
What: Forum Against al-Qaida Terrorism
When: Today, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: Kansas Union, Centenial Room
hit home", Birdling said. "Sulbee was part of us and will remain part of us."
"I think that our group wants to be there to show that there are people aware of things like this going on and it affects more than just the people involved". Madden said.
Although she hasn't spoken to Diouf since the incident, Madden said Diouf was in her thoughts and she would do whatever was needed to provide support to her former professor.
Birdling said that coming together to denounce al-Qaida terrorism was the best way to remember Ndiaye and express sympathy for his wife. Diouf is currently in Senegal.
Madden, an African studies major and president of the Africana Club, gave her group would participate in the event this afternoon. She said it was important to remember that violence affects more than just the victims.
KASC director Garth Myers said Ndiaye's dedication to putting a stop to violence in North Africa would be remembered through his work with the UN and Senegalese government.
"We believe at this juncture that we need to come together as a group and as a community just to voice our concern over this type of action," he said.
"She was a Senegalese, but she got her degree at KU," she said. "We are reuniting again even though it's over a tragic incident."
"Babacar dedicated his life to peace and justice, and the center wanted to remember his commitment to world peace and understanding." Myers said in a press release.
Edited by Mandy Earles