Bowling Green, Ky. - A committee at Western Kentucky University has begun planning the University's response to the tsunami disaster that struck Southeast Asia Dec. 26.

Western's large international student population and the global contacts established by faculty and alumni mean the tragedy is more to the WKU community than pictures and words in the news. That's why Robin Borczon, interim head of International Programs and Projects, began organizing a response.

A Global Relief Fund has been established within the WKU Foundation to help with this disaster as well as those that might happen in the future. "Our fundraising efforts will be aimed at those rebuilding efforts of our alumni and our contacts in that area of the world," Borczon said.

A secure website has been established at https://secure.ga3.org/03/WKUGLOBAL to allow those interested to give online.

There will also be a remembrance vigil at 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Guthrie Bell Tower. Spiritual leaders from many faiths have been invited to lead a prayer service and candlelight ceremony in memory of the tsunami victims and to show support for those at Western who have lost family and friends.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For more information, contact Robin Borczon, (270) 745-6146