Auxiliary to hear Ann Dillon at spring breakfast
Huntington, Ind. " The Huntington College Auxiliary will hold its Spring 2003 Breakfast on Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m., in the Habecker Dining Commons. Community women are invited to hear Whitely County resident Ann Dillon, who has been traveling to Uzbekistan since 1994.
Mrs. Dillon has helped to establish three libraries in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Two of these libraries are at the University of World Languages and the University of Economy and Diplomacy. A third is the separate "New Generation Youth Library." With the help of Whitely County people, businesses and libraries, she has sent over three tons of books. While in this traditionally Sunni Muslim country working with libraries for long periods at a time, Dillon has also been able to share her Christian faith and make many friends. The Eastern part of the country is a hiding place for many Islamic militants. The country is now moving toward suppression of Christian proselyting.
Uzbekistan is one of the most interesting of the central Asian newly independent nations that emerged from the former Soviet Union. Its major cities were on the ancient great Silk Road. Now, it is the second largest producer of cotton. Under the Soviet rule, this California-sized country became more and more desert as the Aral Sea was misused. Water pollution and wide spread chemical contamination from the Soviet era have continued to be major problems for this country, as Uzbekistan and its neighbors vie for water rights. Uzbeks and Tadjiks make up more than 85 percent of the population. Thirty-five percent of the population is under the age of 14. Modernization versus tradition and native languages versus Russian are two issues that strain relationships in Uzbekistan today.
The meeting will be complimented with piano music by Christina Watson, a music major at Huntington College. A short business meeting will be held.
The Huntington College Auxiliary has been a part of the life of Huntington College since 1903, and is always involved in several projects to benefit the students. The current project involves tables and chairs for Wright Hall lounge.
The cost of the breakfast will be $5.50 per person. Please call to make reservations by Wednesday, February 26, to Shirley Cox (356-1560) or Ruth Weber (356-0255) or Barbara Fetters (260-672-8333).
Huntington College is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 60 academic concentrations. US News & World Report ranks Huntington among the Top 10 comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington College is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in Huntington, Indiana.
