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Walden University to Hold Social Change Conference and National Day of Service

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Walden University's 2008 Social Change Conference: "Serving Our Communities," on Oct. 2, and its National Day of Service, on Oct. 4, will bring together students, alumni and faculty to serve 20 communities across the U.S. and internationally. Walden is also launching its new online Walden Service Network to provide a community networking resource to support the many ongoing local, national and international service activities of its students, alumni, faculty members and staff.

"Putting service into action is at the heart of Walden University's mission," said Jonathan A. Kaplan, president of Walden University. "Many of our alumni and students are actively involved in service and other volunteer work in their communities. Through our National Day of Service, Social Change Conference and the new Walden Service Network, the Walden community is expanding its efforts to make a positive impact all around the world."

Social Change Conference

Walden's fourth annual Social Change Conference, an online event on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time, showcases the service activities and achievements of alumni, students, faculty members and staff and their work in local, national and international organizations. The conference is free and the public is invited to register at www.WaldenU.edu/SCC08registration .

The keynote speaker at this year's Social Change Conference is Kelly Hodge-Williams, executive director of Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) Maryland, an organization that brings the talents of local business professionals to nonprofit organizations seeking volunteers. BVU's mission is to inspire volunteerism and connect motivated people and businesses with nonprofit organizations, leading to stronger communities. The organization works with approximately 60 businesses a year, referring more than 15,000 volunteers and placing 100 leaders on nonprofit boards.

The Social Change Conference will also feature Walden alumni and students speaking about their service, including Dr. Souror Baetjer on the value of community service, Gray G. Davis on serving on a nonprofit board and Sara Jane Byars on motivating teens to help others.

National Day of Service

Walden University also puts its mission of effecting positive social change into action on Oct. 4, during the third annual National Day of Service. This year's day of service goes global as members of the Walden community lead community service projects across the country and internationally, donating their time and expertise to help their neighbors in need.

Community groups in 17 cities across the country, as well as inAmsterdam andSan Luis Potosi andQueretaro, Mexico, will benefit from the efforts of these events. Service projects include working at schools inAtlanta, Baltimore andJacksonville, Fla.; landscaping public spaces inMinneapolis and San Francisco; working in food banks and serving food to those in need in Detroit,Las Vegas,Los Angeles,Phoenix andWashington, D.C.; and participating in fundraisers to help fight breast cancer inBoston and Houston. Members of the Walden community will assist in rebuilding efforts in New Orleans; help out at a church inSavannah, Ga.; harvest produce to go to food banks inDenver; visit residents in retirement homes inWest Columbia, S.C.; work at a fashion show to benefit developmentally disabled adults, children and their families inChicago; and collect batteries for recycling in Queretaro.

Walden Service Network

The new Walden Service Network provides an online community resource to share service opportunities with others in the university. Members of the Walden community will be encouraged to leverage the strength of the network to increase the reach, effectiveness and influence of their work.

For more information about Walden University, visit .

About Walden University

Since 1970, Walden University has offered working professionals the opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this comprehensive, accredited online university offers master's and doctoral degrees in education, psychology, management, public policy and administration, and health and human services, as well as master's programs in engineering and IT and bachelor's programs in business administration, psychology, child development, and computer information systems. Walden University is a member of Laureate International Universities, a leading global network of accredited campus-based and online universities. For more information, visit .

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org; 1-312-263-0456.

SOURCE Walden University