Ressler to reflect on experiences at Ground Zero
Dr. Lawrence Ressler, Hillsboro, will present "Experiences at Ground Zero" Monday at the 60+ Learning in Retirement Program. While living in New York, Ressler organized teams to serve in the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center. He will share lessons learned as he worked among the smoldering rubble and with grieving families.
The session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center Lobby, located on the campus of Tabor College.
Ressler joined the administration of Tabor College last summer as the vice president of academics and student development.
Prior to coming to Tabor, Ressler served as academic dean at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, N.Y. It was there where he helped organize seven teams of faculty and students that served in the wake of 9/11 for seven consecutive weeks.
"I led the first team just several weeks after the tragedy with the World Trade Towers rubble a smoldering mass and the search for remains still active," said Ressler. "I made repeated trips to oversee the work during the two months our teams were there. During this time, we served an estimated 10,000 people impacted by the tragedy, including work with families that lost loved ones."
He also has been active in teaching, researching, and publishing works focused on social work for two decades. Ressler also served as an associate dean at the Carver School of Church Social Work at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
This past October he received the Award for Distinguished Service from the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, an organization where he had previously served as the president of the board of directors.
The Ohio native received a bachelor's degree from Easter Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va., a master's degree from Temple University, Philadelphia, and a doctorate in social work from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Older adults are invited to attend. Enrollment is $15 per person a semester, $28 per couple or $4 a session. In an effort to encourage participation, first-time visitors will be admitted free of charge. Registration and discount lunch cards will be available at the door.
For more information, contact Connie Isaac, coordinator, at 620-947-5964.
