Kayla Langmaid/Winonan
Winona State University professors and students have been traveling to Argentina since the 19th century to make a difference in the lives of students and the national school systems.
Vanessa Fernandez-Greene will be discussing the history of Civic Action in Argentina at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, in Stark Hall as a part of the CLASP lecture series. Fernandez-Greene will discuss the historic links between Winona State and schools in San Juan, Argentina.
Matt Bosworth, political science professor, said, “What I’m hoping that students will take from the talk is that even though Winona State might seem very far from Argentina, students from here were able, through their actions, to make a significant positive difference in the world.”
He said he hopes this example will help inspire today’s students to try to make their own change, even if it seems small.
Mary O. Graham was one of the first Winona State teachers among 65 that helped to develop the schools and teach students in San Juan.
In honor of her hard work, an elementary school was named after her, Fernandez-Greene said.
Spanish professor Alicia Reed is among the first Winona State professors that have chosen to explore the legacy between Argentina and Winona State.
Fernandez-Greene said not many people know the historical connection between Winona State and schools in Argentina. She said she believes it’s a great way for our community of learners to improve our world, which is Winona State’s mission for students.
In May 2011, ten Winona State students traveled to Argentina through scholarships they had received. Fernandez-Greene said the students traveled for ten days nonstop, and they celebrated the 200th celebration of the birth of the Argentina president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, known to be the president of education.
In the future, Fernandez-Greene plans to establish an exchange program for student teacher candidates at Winona State and in San Juan.
Fernandez-Greene and other professors are also working on creating a study abroad progam in Argentina.
The study abroad program would be for students in San Juan studying English to come to Winona State and for Winona State students to study Spanish at the National University of San Juan.
Contact Kayla at [email protected]
