Please join Mohamad Radwan Kalaaji for a presentation on Syria past present and into the future. Radwan will discuss the current situation there and his hopes for the future. Radwan Kalaaji was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1955. He was raised essentially by an illiterate mother, yet he and all his siblings became college graduates. Radwan graduated in 1977 with a degree in civil engineering from Allepo University. He became eligible for a PhD in civil engineering/water resources. Radwan taught engineering at Aleppo University for six years In 1983 Radwan, his wife, Foutoun, and two small children came to Sioux Falls South Dakota where he studied English at Augustana College. He then came to Fort Collins where he earned a masters in civil engineering. He also taught Arabic at Aims College and Front Range Community College when none were offered previously. His years in Fort Collins made him appreciate the freedoms offered here. He decided that he did not want to go back to Syria so he became a permanent resident in 1993 and in 1998 he became a citizen. He is now retired. He is especially proud of his six children all of whom have adapted well and have become contributing members of society. His son is a pharmacist at Wal-Mart. His mother-in-law lives with the Kalaaji family. Two and half years ago she escaped the civil war in Syria. She had lost her home and her husband. He and his family are very active in educating the community about the situation in Syria. The tragedy in Syria are on his mind constantly.