<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=Windows-1252">
<style type="text/css" style="display:none;"> P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;} </style>
</head>
<body dir="ltr">
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Dear MES Forum Members,</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
We've launched <b>"</b>New Experiences of the Middle East," a crowdfunding campaign on Buckeye Funder to raise $20,000 for our Public Programs Fund. We hope you'll join us as we spread the word about our campaign for artistic and cultural experiences of the
cultures of South West Asia, Türkiye and North Africa. The funds we raise will support the kinds of rich, hands-on cultural encounters that bring the Middle East to life right here in Columbus.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<b>What your support makes possible:</b><br>
At a moment when the Middle East is constantly in the headlines, we believe it's more important than ever to go beyond the news cycle — to celebrate the art, music, literature, cuisine, and living heritage of the region. With your help, we can bring to Columbus:</div>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Expert artists and performers</div>
</li><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Authors and academics doing fieldwork in the region</div>
</li><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Concerts, film screenings, and staged readings</div>
</li><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Calligraphy workshops and chef-led culinary experiences</div>
</li><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Intimate conversations and community events for students, youth, and the broader Columbus community</div>
</li></ul>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
In past years, we've commissioned original plays, co-hosted international conferences, facilitated conversations with filmmakers and hip-hop artists, and organized hands-on workshops for OSU students, secondary students, and the general public. Your contribution
will provide the necessary funding to bring in globally recognized artists, speakers, and authors.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<b>How you can help:</b></div>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<b>Give</b> — any amount makes a difference. Contributions start at just $5, and every dollar brings us closer to our $20,000 goal.</div>
</li><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<b>Share</b> — know someone who loves the arts, values intercultural education, or cares about the Middle East? Forward this email or share the campaign link with them.</div>
</li></ul>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<b>Campaign link:</b> <a href="https://buckeyefunder.osu.edu/project/49297" target="_blank" id="OWA7376fc78-b375-7743-14c4-e7594b5716bc" class="reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline OWAAutoLink" rel="nofollow noopener">
https://buckeyefunder.osu.edu/project/49297</a></div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
The campaign runs through <b>August 3, 2026</b>. We currently have 126 days left and have raised $250 toward our goal — so every share and every gift truly counts right now.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Your support helps us ensure that students and Columbus residents have access to meaningful, encounters with the Middle East that showcase creativity coming from various cultures, communities and eras.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Thank you for being part of this community. </div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
With gratitude,</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Melinda</div>
<div id="Signature" class="elementToProof">
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(187, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><b>Melinda McClimans, PhD</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;">Assistant Director</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><b>The Ohio State University</b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(187, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;">International Affairs</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"> Middle
East Studies Center</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;">145 Enarson Classroom Building, 2009 Millikin Rd, Columbus Ohio 43210</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;">614-292-6506 Office / 614-292-5897 Office</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><a href="mailto:mcclimans.2@osu.edu" target="_blank" style="margin-right: 10px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">mcclimans.2@osu.edu</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://mesc.osu.edu/" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">mesc.osu.edu</a></span></div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>