Portfolio: International Rescue and Relief Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	13 December 2004
Contact:	Adam Dobbins 515.556.0872 adam@adamdobbins.com

EXCLUSIVE MAJOR AT UNION COLLEGE

LINCOLN, Neb.—Union College is in the midst of a new major on campus and there is no other major like it at any college in the country. It is International Rescue and Relief. This exciting major includes pre-medicine, Para medicine, human service, counseling, and missions.

The director of the program, Dr. Michael Duehrssen’s idea for the program, was initially turned down by Southwestern Adventist University before being accepted by Union College (Nebraska). Dr, Duehrssen is the former Director of Southwest Memorial Hospital’s Teen Program and also a graduate of Union College. “We only expected somewhere around 15 to 25 to be enrolled. We had 33 students apply, which went way beyond our expectations. God really blessed us,” said Duehrssen.

In the second year of the program it is required that you have a 2.5 grade point average to continue along with the major. “This is the only known bachelor level degree of its kind,” said Jacque Smith, Union College director of public relations. There will be around twelve certifications. The students will be provided with the opportunity to study abroad. It seems that there is only one downfall. This major is not in the same price range as the other majors on campus. For a student, it will cost an extra $3,000 dollars within a four year span.

The first group will begin in January of 2006. Once the students are admitted to the program, at the end of their sophomore year, they will begin core courses. This will include trips to Venezuela and Colorado. The students will be flying into villages in groups on four to six. “Initially, we will assist around thirty villages that have no medical support and then it will be expanded to fifty,” said Duehrssen. The concept for this program started eight years ago when Duehrssen began Wilderness Ways Adventures, a youth survival camp in Utah and Colorado. The students in the program learned how to swift water rescue, rock climbing, and confined space rescue, among other basic survival techniques.

Upon graduation, students will be prepared to apply for work in relief organizations such as Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other government organizations. “Loma Linda has said that they are very excited about accepting students with this major,” said Duehrssen. FEMA has recognized the International Rescue and Relief degree acceptable for graduates who wish to apply at their organization.

Dr. Michael Duehrssen is clearly an innovator. In twenty years he and his program will either be considered a complete success or an utter failure and disappointment. From the early indications, it seems Duehrssen and the International Rescue and Relief program are off on the right foot. The former Union grad is in the middle of selling his house to help fund the program. After meeting with him, it is clear that he is literally putting everything he has into the program. There seems to be a big demand for the major already. With the passion that Michael Duehrssen exudes for his program, other students at Union College can’t help but get excited about this exciting and innovative program.

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