October 23, 2007
For Immediate Release
Wendy Widmann de Berger, first lady of Gutemala, will give a speech titled “Creciendo Bien: Women Taking Charge” on Nov. 1 at Utah Valley State College in the Ragan Theater at 3:45 p.m. Her visit to Utah will also include receiving the Enterprise Mentor International’s First Annual International Humanitarian Service Award in Salt Lake City.
“This is an opportunity that fits right in with what we’re trying to do with our international and global engagement area,” said Rusty Butler, associate vice president of international affairs at UVSC. “We want our students and faculty to have greater exposure to international figures, decision makers and people of influence.”
Berger is married to Oscar Berger Perdomo, current president of the Republic of Guatemala, and studied sociology at Trinity College, in Washington, D. C. Throughout her life, she has been involved in projects to assist low-income communities, founded educational workshops for women, promoted housing construction projects, established schools and strengthened daycare programs.
Since January 14, 2004, when her husband was sworn in as Guatemalan President, Berger has been the Head of Secretaría de Obras Sociales de la Esposa del Presidente – The President’s Wife Social Affairs Secretariat – whose mission is to promote and support actions for the improvement of education and health plans, and to promote a generation of healthy Guatemalan citizens with development opportunities.
“We are very excited to host the first lady on our campus,” Butler said. “This will be a significant event for us and for Utah County's Hispanic community.”
A reception, by invitation only, will be held Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. in SC213b. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will immediately follow.
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For an interview:
Rusty Butler
(801) 863-8994
College Marketing Contact:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written by:
Scotty Spjut
(801) 863-7205