Feb. 28, 2011
For Immediate Release

By Elena Groholske, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University's English as a Second Language (ESL) program will have its students adopt local grandparents for the day on Tuesday, April 19.

Andrea Giordano, assistant director of ESL and ESL instructor, said, “One of our goals in the ESL department is to pass on a love for volunteerism, as it is ingrained in our North American culture. Many of our students come to us never having volunteered their time for others. We find that encouraging our students to step out beyond themselves opens up both cultural and language learning opportunities.”

For the upcoming adopt a grandparent event, ESL is encouraging the community to volunteer themselves if they need tasks completed around their house or yard. It is a good way for the students to give back to the community and for the community to get involved with Campbellsville University, Giordano said.

This year's ESL program has students from China, Venezuela, Mongolia, Russia, and Japan, among others.

“Our hope is to bring grandparents and ESL students together for one day, for a genuine cultural and generational exchange,” Giordano said.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

-30