10 Presbyterian Church Members Visit Silliman

 Ten members of the Presbyterian Church visited Silliman University on February 16 to 21 under a travel-study program aimed at developing a regional perspective of the issues of human trafficking and environmental degradation.

The group was composed of: Doreen Owens, Nancy Eng MacNeil, Paul Heins, Ann Johnson, MaryAnn Eschbach, Shadra Shoffner, Rebecca Lawson, John Wallace, Cecilia Moran and Jordan Whitt.

Program facilitator Mr. Cobbie Palm, who helps administer the Silliman Water Project that was created with the support of the Advent Church of the Presbyterian Church, said two reasons prompted the group's visit.

First was for the group to connect with Silliman University, which is a product of Presbyterian mission, and appreciate how the institution has grown from its humble beginnings in 1901. And, second, for them to engage Silliman officials and experts in a discussion on their ideas of environmental degradation and human trafficking.

They also went around Dumaguete to see the impact of the recent calamities that hit the area, and had the opportunity to interact with members of the affected communities and the organizations involved in similar advocacy work.

 (Silliman President Dr. Ben S. Malayang III, standing fourth from left, meets with the group at the Board Room of the Leopoldo T. Ruiz Administration Hall. In the photo are: [seated L-R] Doreen Owens, Nancy Eng MacNeil, Paul Heins and Ann Johnson; [standing L-R] Mr. Cobbie Palm, Silliman Institutional Advancement Officer Mr. Jose Marie Jonathan Antonio, MaryAnn Eschbach, Shadra Shoffner, Rebecca Lawson, John Wallace, Cecilia Moran and Jordan Whitt.