University of Portland News

Posted: 05-04-2011
Contact: John Furey, Joe Kuffner

Students Kenny King and Kurt Berning raise more than $20,000 for education in Cambodia, win business plan competition for non-profits

University of Portland students Kenny King and Kurt Berning have raised more $20,000 for education in Cambodia. King and Berning are the founders of Global Alliance for Developing Education (Global ADE), an innovative non-profit that is dedicated to building education in developing countries. The money was raised at a gala event on April 20, which featured a gourmet meal and an auction of items donated by community partners and University of Portland students.

King and Berning also took first place in the non-profit category at the $100K Challenge, a business plan competition hosted by the University’s Entrepreneur Scholar (E-Scholar) program and Pamplin School of Business on April 30. Global ADE tied with junior Elle Hoxworth and her organization Shangilia Mama for the prize of a $2,500 grant and professional services award.

Global ADE, founded in 2010, funds grassroots educational improvements spearheaded by individuals and organizations that live in the communities in which they work. Global ADE's model connects the knowledge and skills of these individuals and organizations with resources from domestic and international sources to create opportunity for students, teachers and community leaders.

For more information about Global ADE or to donate to its cause, visit www.globalade.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/globalade.

In Cambodia, Global ADE will partner with existing organizations to fund innovative programs that address obstacles in the education system. This holistic approach to improving education includes expanding an existing microfinance program, building a secondary school, innovative teacher training and classroom programs, and scholarships for high school students to attend universities.

Berning and King recently traveled to Cambodia through the University’s E-scholar program to begin making partnerships between existing organizations and Global ADE. King and Berning were able to learn more about Cambodian culture and evaluate several education programs and schools. During a trip to one school, both were able to assist in the teaching of an English class and meet hard-working high school students with no money to pay for college.

“The trip has inspired me to work tirelessly to improve the quality of schools in Cambodia and offer opportunities to the deserving students,” said Berning. “The need in these schools is dire, and even a relatively small amount of money in the U.S. can make a dramatic impact on the life of a Cambodian student.”

For more information about Global ADE or the E-Scholar program, please contact Peter Rachor at rachor@up.edu or 503-943-7769.

The University of Portland is Oregon's Catholic university and has been closely affiliated for more than a century with the Congregation of Holy Cross in South Bend, Indiana. U.S. News & World Report ranks the institution as one of the top ten regional universities in the American West. It is the only school in Oregon to offer a College of Arts & Sciences, a graduate school, and nationally accredited programs in the schools of business, education, engineering, and nursing.

U.P. News Bureau • 5000 N Willamette Blvd • Portland, OR • 97203 • 503-943-7202