You reached this page through the archive. Click here to return to the archive.

Note: This article is over a year old and information contained in it may no longer be accurate. Please use the contact information in the lower-left corner to verify any information in this article.

St. Olaf student government president takes part in Israeli seminar

By Lisa Gulya '07
August 1, 2005

Thomas Rusert '06, 2005-06 president of the St. Olaf Student Government Association (SGA), is in Israel July 30-Aug. 7 on a trip sponsored by Project Interchange Seminars in Israel, an institute of the American Jewish Committee.

Rusert and 13 other student body presidents from Midwestern and Western colleges and universities are traveling together to experience Israeli politics, society and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict firsthand. "We're meeting with prominent rabbis, professors, politicians and journalists to discuss anything from Arab-Israeli community and U.S. relations to disengagement and the future of the Middle East peace process," Rusert says. Students also will visit important historical and political sites, including the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

Rusert explains that the idea behind sending student government leaders is to educate potential community leaders -- within the Arab-Israeli context -- about influencing large groups of people. This is Project Interchange's 12th annual trip for university student government leaders.

In addition to more formal contacts, the American students also will meet with Israeli students from Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Rusert is excited rather than apprehensive about traveling to such a historically volatile area. "I've got an adventurous spirit and I've been blessed thus far in my life that that spirit hasn't caused me too much harm," he says.

As a religion and family studies double major considering going on to seminary, the experience will be valuable for Rusert's personal as well as leadership plans. Shortly after returning home, Rusert will speak at Galilee Lutheran Church in Roseville, Minn., where he has spent the rest of his summer as a Lilly Summer Vocational Intern. He also plans to discuss the trip with St. Olaf students during a World Issues Dialogue in the fall, a weekly discussion group led by students who have lived or traveled abroad.

Contact David at 507-786-3315 or Gonnerman@stolaf.edu.