Kwibuka 25: Lewis & Clark Marks the Rwandan Genocide
by Franchesca Schrambling BA ’22
Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and visiting dignitaries gathered at the Gregg Pavilion to commemorate the Rwandan Genocide. Pictured from left to right: Cecilia Benenati; Michael Ford; Michael Graham BA '05, founder, Dallaire Scholarship; Joann Geddes; Fabrice Sibomana, Dallaire Scholar; Ocean Eale '19, student member of the Dallaire Scholarship Committee; Judi Marquardt with husband Niels Marquardt '75, retired ambassador and Diplomat-in-Residence at Lewis & Clark; Sandy Rawson with husband David Rawson, retired ambassador; and Joyce Leader, retired ambassador and keynoter. Benenati, Ford, and Geddes are members of the Dallaire Scholarship Committee.
Every year, Kwibuka asks the world to come together, support survivors, and ensure that events like the Rwandan genocide never happen again. This year focuses on Rwanda’s story of understanding, rebuilding, and growth.
On Sunday, April 14, Lewis & Clark marked Kwibuka 25 with remarks by students and visiting dignitaries, a Rwandan-themed menu in Fields Dining Hall, and a candlelight vigil to remember those killed during the genocide’s three-month period.
Roméo Dallaire, former commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission to Rwanda, Canadian Army Lieutenant-General (ret.), speaks at the 2013 Lewis & Clark commencement ceremony.
In addition to the students’ remarks, attendees also heard remarks from former Ambassador to Guinea Joyce Leader, who served as deputy to the U.S. ambassador in Rwanda during the genocide. During her 21-year career, she has represented the U.S. in attempts to resolve threats to peace and human rights in Central Africa. She was joined by two additional dignitaries at the event: David Rawson, U.S. ambassador to Rwanda from 1993–96 and current visiting scholar in the Graduate School of Business at George Fox University; and Niels Marquardt BA ’75, Lewis & Clark’s inaugural diplomat in residence. Both Leader and Rawson were serving in Rwanda before the genocide and were responsible for the evacuation of Americans to Burundi.
The commemoration was free and open to the public.
Public Relations is located in McAfee on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 19
email public@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7970
Public Relations
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road MSC 19
Portland OR 97219