Valerian Three Irons to Speak
Mar 27, 2008 | University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
The University of Dubuque Education Department and Wendt Center for Character Education are pleased to sponsor speaker Valerian Three Irons on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in Hadley Auditorium in the Jackaline Baldwin Dunlap Technology Center.
Three Irons will speak on a variety of topics including Native American culture, service learning and multicultural education. He has lived a life of purpose and character and his work aims to enhance character formation in our culture by helping to broaden cultural perspectives among students and communities.
"The University of Dubuque has recognized the value in bringing a speaker such as Valerian Three Irons to our community - for this, we should be grateful," commented Angela Brandel, adjunct in Education and sponsor for this program. "As a past participant in the International Partnership for Service Learning immersion program, South Dakota location under the direction of Valerian Three Irons, I experienced what it was like to be a minority...an opportunity most European Americans will never have. It changed my life by giving me a short, first-hand encounter of what individuals in priority populations endure for an entire lifetime under the suppression of a dominant group. It is my hope that, by bringing Valerian to our community, we all will learn to accept one another and our differences."
Three Irons is director of the United States location of the International Partnership for Service Learning (IPSL). ISPL programs integrates academic study with substantive volunteer service, creating a powerful dynamic between direct cultural exposure and academic learning. IPSL students share similar characteristics. They tend to be adventuresome, idealistic, thoughtful, generous, curious, enthusiastic, and open-minded. Since 1982, they have been making a difference in local communities around the world, putting their education and skills to good use, and giving meaning to their education.
Three Irons believes that character formation through education, service learning, and cultural experiences enhances and supports what students can learn in a classroom. The Dubuque community benefits from continual information and education in multicultural diversity, especially future educators. Citizens need to hear personal stories from well-known leaders from all backgrounds, including Native Americans, as they weave multicultural lessons through the oral tradition.
