A three-week textbook drive on campus has resulted in the collection of an estimated 14,000 pounds (or seven tons of books) to benefit Aksum University, according to Psychology Professor Mary Ann Watson.

“It was a great success,” says Watson, who along with four other Metro State employees traveled to the university, located in Ethiopia, in March and discovered the need for books.

The 309 boxes of textbooks are being stored in two rooms in the Department of Psychology. Next up will be an inspection of the boxes by the Department of Defense Funded Transportation Program, after which the program will send transportation with pallets to the Plaza Building for loading. It is estimated that it will take two or more months for the books to reach Ethiopia by ship.

For more information about the textbook drive or the College’s partnership with Aksum University, contact Ali Thobhani, executive director of the Office of International Studies and chair of the African and African American Studies Department, at thobhana@mscd.edu.