Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu To Speak, Futures CEO To Be Honored

SPRINGFIELD--Local high school students will have the opportunity to hear
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu when he comes to Springfield on Tuesday,
April 20. The high school students will join students from American
International College for a special meeting with the world leader in the
Butova Gymnasium at 9:30 a.m.

The Archbishop will meet with media representatives following the talk to
students at 10:45 a.m.

As part of the college's commitment to improving the lives of the children
and families in the Greater Springfield area, American International
College has partnered with the Medical Knowledge Institute to launch the
Desmond Tutu Lecture Series on Public Health Awareness. Archbishop Tutu, a
member of MKI's international Board of Advisors, will be the first speaker
in the series. He will receive an honorary degree from AIC during a
convocation at Symphony Hall at 4:15 p.m. The archbishop will deliver his
address following the awarding of honorary degrees.

Also receiving honorary degrees during the ceremony will be Dr. Harold
Robles and Dr. Peter Bittel, co founders of the Medical Knowledge
Institute, an international non-profit organization based in the
Netherlands and U.S. The Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI) is an
international non-profit healthcare organization that focuses on education
and providing information from the conviction that healthcare is a human
right.

Robles said he is excited to join forces with AIC to present this
important lecture series. “AIC and MKI both serve populations that are
often underserved, overlooked, and underestimated, to meet their needs of
education, awareness, and improved public health,” he said.

“We have to try make a difference in the lives of young people," Robles
said. "We must touch them and show them what life is all about and how
they can make a difference."

Dedicated to promoting healthcare education as a human right, Robles
co-founded the MKI in 1999, along with Peter Bittel, C.E.O. of Futures
HealthCore of Springfield, an AIC Trustee.

Vince M. Maniaci, president of AIC said the college is honored that
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has agreed to partner with the college and Medical
Knowledge Institute in presenting the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Public
Health Awareness Lecture Series.

“The Archbishop's humanitarian spirit, joy of diversity, and love of youth
reflects the mission of the college. His presence on campus and his
life-long commitment to humanitarian efforts will serve as an inspiration
to our students, as well as members of the community,” he said.

Henry Thomas, an AIC graduate and trustee, and president of the
Springfield Urban League said it is important to have Archbishop Tutu
visit the area.

"This is a time when many people in our community and many people in the
country are experiencing economic and social despair. When communities
experience what we are today, it is incredibly helpful to hear voices of
profound wisdom and experience, like the voice of Archbishop Desmond
Tutu," he said.

“When one has the opportunity to compare their own misery to someone who
has already been through the fire, it can lift spirits and hopes, and be
remarkably instructive to those who are looking for better answers to
solving individual and societal problems," Thomas said.

The event at Symphony Hall is open to the public, free of charge, but
reservations are required. For ticket information, call Tina Toohey,
director of auxiliary services at AIC, at (413) 205-3352.

There will also be a reception and dinner for the Archbishop at the
Springfield Sheraton from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are
$200, or $1500 for a table of eight.

For more information, contact the AIC Office of Public Relations at (413)
205-3231, or visit the website, www.aic.edu/tutu.