Special Events
The Frontlines of Freedom: The Untold Stories of Ukraine’s War
Monday, October 30, 2 – 4pm
Pioneer Bank, 1450 Adams Street, Mankato
Nataliya Danylkova and Roman Kovbasnyk will present an update and reflect on the past year and a half of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine and the heroic efforts of the Ukrainian people and volunteers to resist and rebuild. Native of Western Ukraine, Nataliya and Roman have become vocal activists in raising awareness of the tragedy of the Ukrainian nation. Together with their friends from “Stand with Ukraine Minnesota” they raise funds to provide humanitarian and medical help to freedom fighters on the front lines and people that lost their homes in this unjustified war.
Presenter Nataliya Danylkova received her medical degree from Ternopil Medical University in Ukraine and completed her Ophthalmology Residency at Northwestern University in Chicago. She also has an MBA from Metropolitan State Universes in Minneapolis. Nataliya holds the position of ophthalmologist and Division Chair at Mankato Clinic and serves as the Medical Director for Mankato Surgery Center. Nataliya was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Presenter Roman Kovbasnyk received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the Lviv Polytechnic University and MBA from Ternopil Financial Institute in Ukraine. Roman currently has a consulting company for international logistics business and is a member of a local Rotary Club. Roman and Nataliya have lived in the United States for 23 years and in recent nine years, they have made their home in Mankato. They have three children. This presentation is open to the public without charge.
Gratitude Revealed Film and Discussion
A Special Member Appreciation Event
November 16, 1 - 4pm
Pathstone Latitude, 115 Rogers Street, Mankato
An epic journey 40 years in the making, Gratitude Revealed from acclaimed filmmaker, Louie Schwartzberg takes us on a transformational, cinematic experience of how to live a more meaningful life full of gratitude. Louie’s intimate conversations with everyday people and thought leaders reveal gratitude is a proven pathway back from the disconnection we feel in our lives – disconnection from ourselves, our planet, and each other. It's hard to watch Gratitude Revealed without getting the chills or shedding a few tears (the good kind.) For more, see the official trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKo7L_ZCnCA.
Presenter Louie Schwartzberg is an award-winning cinematographer, director and producer who has spent his notable career providing breathtaking imagery using his time-lapse, high-speed and macro cinematography techniques. Schwartzberg is a visual artist who breaks barriers, connects with audiences, and tells stories that celebrate life and reveal the mysteries and wisdom of nature, people, and places. His theatrical releases include the 3D IMAX film Mysteries of the Unseen World with National Geographic, narrated by Forest Whitaker; the theatrical feature, Wings of Life for Disneynature, narrated by Meryl Streep, and America’s Heart and Soul for Walt Disney Studios.
Discussion will be led by Anne Fletcher, M.S., whose books include Inside Rehab, Sober for Good, and the Thin for Life books and who used Schwartzberg's work in her education position at Minnesota Alternatives addiction program in Minneapolis.
There is no charge for this event. Because of space limitations, seating will be limited to 40 attendees. To register, please contact the office at 507-389-2011 or email LifelongLearners@mnsu.edu.
