St. Cloud State University is planning a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life. The university has strong academic ties to South Africa with its study abroad program with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, where students are immersed into learning about the life and impact of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

University President Earl Potter writes in a campus wide email message that since the first St. Cloud State education–abroad opportunities in South Africa began in the late 1990s, the leadership and legacy of the esteemed statesman has had a deep and lasting influence on more than 600 participating students, faculty and staff. They  return transformed, most particularly by the experience of standing in the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for speaking out for equality and justice, knowing that he later emerged a leader who found his power within and wielded it with wisdom and quiet strength.

Students and faculty studying on the program visit to Mandela’s former home in Soweto and to Robben Island, where he was imprisoned. 

The celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life is Wednesday, December 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Atwood Center’s Ballroom and is open to the campus and community.

Potter added it has been a great honor for the university to have a partnership with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, named for the man whose resilience, humanity and relentless advocacy for justice has changed the world forever.