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History Department Events

 

Finding Meaning and Purpose in Human Suffering: Lessons From Rwanda

Dr. Theogene RudasingwaOn March 30, 2011, Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa, formerly of the Rwandese Patriotic Front, former Rwandan Ambassador to the U.S., former Chief of Staff to President Kagame, and founder of the nonprofit organization Haradali for building sustainable communities in Africa, came to Lynchburg College to speak about Rwanda, the lessons of genocide, and Africa as a whole. The visit was sponsored by the Clifton W. Potter Jr. Lectureship Fund and the Westover Honors Program.

Dr. Rudasingwa spoke to Dr. Eades' classes on Contemporary South African History and the Humanities, and Dr. Payherin's classes on Developing Nations. He also addressed students at a lunch sponsored by the Black Student Association and gave a speech at a dinner hosted by Westover on the topic "Finding Meaning and Purpose in Human Suffering: Lessons From Rwanda." He gave very moving accounts of his personal experiences as a refugee, a doctor in a war-torn area, a diplomat attempting to bring international attention to the plight of his country, and his eventual disillusionment with the direction of the present government of Rwanda.

Thanks to the Potter Lectureship Fund, Westover, the History Department, and the Political Science Department for supporting this successful visit!

Dr. D. Potter, Dr. T. Rudasingwa, and Dr. C. Potter Dee Brown, Cathie Eagle, Dr. T. Rudasingwa, Dr. L. Eades, Dr. J. Freeman, and Dr. M. Payerhin

Dr. D. Potter, Dr. T. Rudasingwa, and Dr. C. Potter

Dee Brown, Cathie Eagle, Dr. T. Rudasingwa, Dr. L. Eades, Dr. J. Freeman, and Dr. M. Payerhin