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March 2008

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University of Minnesota global studies student Kathryn Nelson is returning to Kenya this summer to run her charity, The Nafula Foundation - which helps repair communities that have been destroyed by the ongoing violence that has killed more than 1,500 people and displaced 600,000 since December 2007.

Nelson established The Nafula Foundation last summer and aims to provide clothing, food and books to orphaned children who have otherwise been left for dead. The Nafula Foundation, which means “she came in the rain” in Swahili, is a joint venture between Nelson and native Kenyan, Pastor Daniel Makecho. They have raised more than $1,000 in donations and plan to spend their time walking door to door to educate Kenyans about HIV, malaria and typhoid.  In addition, they are developing plans to implement inexpensive water systems that would provide communities with clean drinking water.

To interview Nelson about the Foundation and her trip, contact Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

Learn more about the foundation at: www.NafulaFoundation.org

U of M's McNamara Alumni Center named best meeting venue in Minnesota
March 5, 2008

Thanks to stunning architecture, superior audiovisual offerings and top customer-service rankings, the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center has earned the Best Meeting Facility (Non-Hotel) Award at the annual "BEST OF" event at the new Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington on Feb. 28.

Roughly 250 meeting and event professionals toasted the finest of their industry, in 21 categories, at the annual event hosted by Minnesota Meetings + Events magazine, the premier event industry magazine with a circulation of 18,000 Minnesota event planners and related suppliers. A total of 445 ballots were tallied with the largest percentage in the Best Meeting Facility (Non-Hotel) category devoted to the U of M McNamara Alumni Center.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by our peers,” said Amy Leyden, marketing manager of McNamara Alumni Center, crediting the beautiful facility and the creative and hard-working team for the award. In 2007 staff members coordinated a whopping 489 meetings. All staff are employees of United Properties/NorthMarq Corporate Solutions, the management company for the McNamara Alumni Center.

According to Leyden, long-time McNamara client, Allina Hospitals and Clinics, has consistently recommended the facility. “The McNamara Alumni Center is a tremendous location for a conference. It is conveniently located, the meeting rooms have distinguishing characteristics and the service is outstanding!”

In 2002 Minnesota Meetings + Events awarded the McNamara Alumni Center with the Best Reception Facility Award.

For a list of all the 2007 awards, visit: http://www.BestofWinners.com

To interview Leyden about the center and award, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.