FORT WAYNE, Ind.—University of Saint Francis President Rev. Dr. Eric Albert Zimmer will join Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry’s delegation on a trip to Poland this week.
Fr. Zimmer will accompany Mayor Henry, Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer and City of Fort Wayne Head of Digital Engagement John Felts on a visit to Fort Wayne’s sister city Plock, Poland, arriving on Thursday, May 12, and returning on Sunday, May 15.
Plock Mayor Andrzej Nowakowski invited Mayor Henry and a three-person delegation to travel to his city, along with delegations from other partner cities, to attend the 23rd European Picnic to show solidarity with the Ukrainian nation and moral support for the refugees staying in Plock.
“I am honored to be included in Mayor Henry’s delegation to Plock and to share the University of Saint Francis’ deep concern for the Ukrainian refugees,” Fr. Zimmer said. “I look forward to meeting Mayor Nowakowski, Ukrainian refugees, and delegates from Plock’s partner cities. All of us at USF continue to lift the Ukrainian people up in our daily prayers.”
The other invited partner cities include Zhytomyr, Ukraine; Darmstadt, Germany; Auxerre, France; Mazeikiai, Lithuania; Pleven, Bulgaria; Beltsy, Moldova; and Rustavi, Georgia.
The Fort Wayne delegation will participate in several events and interactions during their three-day visit.
After their arrival in Plock on Thursday, they will visit in the Misjonarska Center while packing a truck with humanitarian aid for Kharkiv, Ukraine. On Friday, the group will attend a panel discussion about the challenges local governments face in connection with the war in Ukraine. They will also meet with Ukrainian refugees. A full Saturday includes attending the 8th European Run—Solidarity with Ukraine, meeting with Plock Mayor Nowakowski, the opening of the 23rd European Picnic—In Solidarity with Ukraine, and other activities.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences; College of Arts, Sciences and Business; and College of Adult and Distance Education. In addition to its traditional programs, USF designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the university’s business and music technology programs while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 18 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 2,200 students from a broad geographic region attend USF.