One of the most important, and troubled, parts of the world will be the focus of a new program at Saint Ambrose University. Thanks to a gift from the Adler-Schermer Foundation, it will create a Middle East Institute.
The coordinator, Ryan Dye, says the institute will NOT be a new building or academic major, but instead, sort of a "think tank."
"It'll be a place where we bring together experts on the Middle East to engage in dialog with our faculty, to engage in conversation with the community, and to educate our students."
Dye says the Adler-Schermer Foundation has given 100,000 dollars to start the Middle East Institute, and that should support about three years of speakers and other events.
"This institute should not be just for Saint Ambrose University. Rather we should use the institute to reach out to the public and to dialog with them about this region."
The new institute will open officially on April 10th with a lecture by former eastern Iowa congressman Jim Leach, on American foreign policy in the Middle East. A film festival is in the works for this fall, followed by a public symposium early next year.