INTERNATIONAL ED. DAY IS NOV. 17

The Virginia Council for International Education (VaCIE) and the Office of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia announce the first Governor's International Education Day to be held in Richmond on Monday, Nov. 17. VaCIE hopes the event will educate legislators about the importance of international education and study abroad programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Old Dominion University played a key role in organizing the event and will likely send the largest delegation to the luncheon with Gov. Mark Warner, said John Heyl, executive director of the Office of International Programs. Heyl's office also built the event's Web site and raised money for the essay contests. Steve Johnson, study abroad coordinator in international programs, is the VaCIE treasurer and has also played an active role in the project.

International students studying in Virginia and students returnees from study abroad programs are encouraged to attend Governor's International Education Day. The event will consist of a luncheon at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and a tour of the state capitol. Gov. Warner, Secretary of Education Belle Wheelan, and General Assembly delegates and senators from the districts of participating institutions will be attending the luncheon.

More information about the Governor's International Education Day essay contest can also be found on the Web at www.odu.edu/webroot/orgs/ao/ip/ip.nsf/pages/govIntlEducDay/.

The contest is being sponsored by Trawick International, an insurance provider specializing in insurance for international students studying in the U.S. Two winners, one international student and one study abroad returnee, will be announced as winners by Governor Warner at Governor's International Education Day.