News Article

Edison State College Charlotte Campus alumnus to speak about efforts to rebuild Liberia

Mar 12, 2009

Ebenezer Von Benda, Edison State College alumnus originally from Liberia, will appear at the Charlotte campus March 12 to discuss the humanitarian situation in his home country. Ebenezer fled Liberia during the height of that country’s civil war in the early nineties and will now be returning to begin an education project training fellow Liberians on how to teach Peace Education and Trauma Alleviation to grade school students.

During his attendance at the Charlotte campus majoring in Political Science, Ebenezer served as student body president, received the Provost Award and was commencement speaker at his graduation ceremony.  After receiving his AA degree from Edison State in 2000, he received his BA in International Affairs from Florida State University and eventually his master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University in Washington, D.C.  He has most recently served as a consultant for the World Bank in Washington, seeking ways to assist children who have been emotionally traumatized by the successive Liberian civil wars.

The Charlotte campus event will begin at 4 p.m. in the auditorium with the 90 minute documentary “Liberia: America’s Stepchild,” followed by a question and answer period about Ebenezer’s experiences and upcoming trip.  The event is free and open to everyone.  Light refreshments will be available following the presentation.   Call Ali Bender, Charlotte Campus Student Life Specialist at 637-5634 for more information.

Last Updated: March 12, 2009