March 4, 2009
Elon University Periclean Scholars Host ‘Eat at Dan Thai’ Fundraiser
By Ashley Dischinger
Elon University’s Periclean Scholars hosted “Eat at Dan Thai” to raise funds benefitting the incoming 2012 Project Pericles class.
Students and faculty were encouraged to eat dinner at Dan Thai restaurant in Burlington, N.C. beginning at 5 p.m. The program hopes to raise between $150 and $200 for the incoming freshman class, which will be selected after spring break.
Junior Sara Pasquinelli, a member of the 2010 Periclean class, was enthusiastic about Eat at Dan Thai and hopes that many Elon students will come out to show their support.
“Not only are you supporting future projects conducted by Elon students,” Pasquinelli said, “but you are also supporting the international community by joining us at Dan Thai.”
Junior Briana O’Neil agrees that students should take initiate to support the cause.
“Periclean Scholars is a great cause to support,” O’Neil said. “(Eat at Dan Thai) is a great way for us to welcome the incoming class to the program and for them to get their first start for fundraising.”
Click below to watch O’Neil share her thoughts on Periclean Scholars and the incoming 2012 class:
Project Pericles is a nationwide not-for-profit organization that was first initiated by Elon University in 2002. According to the organization’s Web site, its mission is to “include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship… to provide students with a foundation for social and civic involvement and a conviction… to improve the condition of society.”
At Elon, each class of Periclean Scholars chooses a long-term project within a specific geographic focus. Several members of the 2009 class recently traveled to Zambia over Winter Term. There they collaborated with a local community and Habitat for Humanity to build a house.
The 2010 class is focusing their efforts on healthcare initiatives in Ghana.
“Speaking of the 2010 class, we’ve recently opened our health clinic in Kpoeta, Ghana,” Pasquinelli said. “We also just reached the $40,000 plateau, with $29,000 going to Ghanian initiatives (including healthcare, Heifer International and other educational programs.)”
The class of 2011 is focusing on environmental issues and education in Sri Lanka.
The money from Eat at Dan Thai will be used to fund various projects determined by members of the incoming class. The 2012 Periclean Scholars’ designated area of focus is India.
The 2012 Periclean Scholars are required to participate in five courses as part of the program, including GST 225 during the fall 2009 semester. Dr. Martin Kamela will serve as the faculty mentor to the students. Scholars will work both on and off campus to pursue various developmental projects.
Students who are interested in participating in the Project Pericles program must submit an application by Friday, March 6. More information can be found at the Elon University Periclean Scholars Class of 2012 Web site.
Ashley's Reporting Endeavors 