COMING HOME - College of Education & Human Development ...

28 CoNNECt WiNtEr 2013
one student
at a time.
From a remote village in Bhutan to the
inner cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul,
to rural communities in Minnesota and
beyond, students’ paths to the University of Minnesota
and the College of Education and Human Development
tell a story of struggle, resilience, hope, and gratefulness.
The lives of these students and countless others have
been improved because of nearly 3,000 generous alumni
and friends who gave more than $8 million in gifts last
year. Parmananda Khatiwoda, who lived in a refugee
camp for 17 years before resettling in Minnesota, wants
to use his degree in social work to help
local Bhutanese elders live respectful
and dignified lives. Colleen Erdman, a
talented special education student with
a hearing loss, wants to be a teacher
and a role model for her deaf and hardof-hearing
students. Or freshman Nao
Lor who is proud to be the first in her family to go to
college. These are just three of the hundreds of students
who are very thankful for scholarships and fellowships
that have enriched their lives and who
are passionate about their chosen work
to improve the lives of young people,
the elderly, and the community at large.
In addition, more than $225,000 in
annual gifts provides Dean Quam with
funds to support faculty research, special
initiatives, scholarships, and community
partnerships. To all of our donors we say
thank you. Your gifts both large and small
are improving lives.