Dickson “Doc” Hendley, founder of Wine to Water, to Speak at Walden University Academic Residency

Minneapolis—October 9, 2014—Dickson “Doc” Hendley, founder of Wine to Water, an American nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean water and sanitation to people around the world, will address more than 600 doctoral students at Walden University’s academic residency on Oct. 11, 2014, at the Sheraton Atlanta. To date, the organization Hendley envisioned in 2003 has provided clean water and sanitation to more than 250,000 people in 17 countries.

Hendley is proof positive of how the efforts of one person can truly make a difference. A self-proclaimed “tattooed keg tapper” who loved his Harley, music and liquor, he did not set out to be a hero. Upon learning about the world’s water crisis, his idea was to hold benefit wine events and then use the proceeds to help support water projects around the world. He has taken personal risks to provide water and clean water education in disparate locations around the globe—including Darfur, Sudan, and many of the United Nations’ dangerous “no-go” zones.

In 2009, he was selected as a Top 10 CNN Hero—chosen from more than 9,000 applicants by a panel of judges that included Gen. Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg and Sir Elton John. Hendley’s book, Wine to Water, chronicles his incredible journey through far-flung regions of the world as he discovers and pursues his passions.

Academic residencies at Walden support students’ academic and professional goals by connecting them with individual faculty mentors, student support staff and hundreds of peers. During academic residencies, students from all doctoral and select master’s degree programs have the opportunity to conceptualize and develop research that contributes to positive social change.

Walden’s plenary sessions are an integral part of the residencies and are led by speakers from around the world who share their experiences and viewpoints to inspire insightful debate and lively conversation. These sessions are intended to provide Walden students and faculty and staff members with the opportunity to hear perspectives on a variety of topics that are meaningful and relevant to their lives as both scholars and practitioners. For more information about Walden University, visit www.WaldenU.edu.

About Walden University
For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 50,000 students from all 50 states and more than 150 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 75 campus-based and online universities in 29 countries.

Walden offers more than 80 degree programs with more than 370 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, social work, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org.