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2013 Annual Report: The EARTH effect

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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton pictured with EARTH President José Zaglul at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York City, September 23- 26, 2013. In addition to speaking about innovation in environmental education at the meeting, Zaglul also announced our 2013 CGI Commitment to Action to create a one-of-a-kind collaborative Global Master’s program in Health and Sustainable Development together with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB), in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton pictured with EARTH President José Zaglul
Click on photo to read more.

Dear friends and supporters,

 

What happens when you build a university on the belief that one person can change the world?

 

EARTH happens.

Some 24 years ago we opened our doors with the premise that young men and women could not only become successful professionals, but also ethical leaders with the capacity and commitment to guide their families, neighbors and countrymen towards a more prosperous and just future. To create opportunities in the areas that need it most, we make a special effort to recruit youth from disadvantaged communities around the world. Today we can see the effect of this one-of-a-kind approach to higher education: EARTH alumni around the globe are making a difference. Indeed, they are changing the world.

 

So every time you give to EARTH you are not just affecting EARTH’s circle, but every other person with whom our alumni will share their knowledge, give dignified employment, promote peace or bring hope.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our vision—none of this would be possible without you.

 

José Zaglul
President, EARTH University

© Lynn Hoffman-Brouse for EARTH University

EARTH AT A GLANCE

Mission
Prepare leaders with ethical values to contribute to sustainable development and to construct a prosperous and just society.
Our students
421 students from 36 countries
Gaining the mindset and skillset needed to be able to affect positive change and create jobs.
40% female
The highest in our history and an important step towards achieving our goal of gender equality.
60% of our students receive full scholarships.
In many cases, this represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at a university level. Our remaining students receive significant financial aid and/or educational subsidy.
84% of students graduate (in four or five years), a significantly higher graduation rate than most universities in the United States and other parts of the world.
In spite of the wide divergence in educational quality in secondary schools in rural communities in the developing world, exceptional support services and our innovative student-centered educational model ensure success.

Our alumni
1,829 alumni from 29 countries
Guiding their communities toward a more prosperous and just future.

4 out of 5 graduates are working in their country of origin.
Demonstrating a strong commitment to going back.

By their 10th alumni reunion, 23% run their own or a family business.
This is more than double the U.S. national average of business ownership among college graduates.

INNOVATING APPLICABLE SOLUTIONS
FOR A HEALTHIER PLANET

At EARTH, we continually challenge our students to evaluate the environmental impact of their actions, and in our operations strive to be a model of environmental stewardship. This has far reaching effects, as we foster a strong commitment to environmental sustainability not just among our students, but also among the more than 7,500 visitors who come to our two campuses each year.


We recycled
80%
of our solid waste generated on campus in 2013.
In 2013, nearly
20 biodigesters
were installed in the neighboring communities surrounding EARTH, ensuring that agricultural waste is being properly treated and creating a renewable energy source for rural families.
More than
1,100 visitors
were trained in adequate waste management techniques at EARTH and hundreds more in renewable energies and sustainable agriculture during 2013.

4 out of every 5 alumni report having a direct and positive influence on the environment.

51% in soil conservation and management
41% in water conservation and management
37% in conservation and biodiversity
32% in organic farming
20% in alternative energy
© Lynn Hoffman-Brouse for EARTH University

As part of their Graduation Projects, students Rui Madime (’13, Mozambique, left), Jesús Castrezana (’13, Mexico, center), Jorge Ferraté (’13, Guatemala) and Rodrigo Kohlmann Reyes (’13, Mexico, right) developed a dry anaerobic reactor or bio-digester that converts organic kitchen waste into biogas. The students fed the reactor every day with leftover Gallo Pinto, a traditional Costa Rican breakfast dish of beans and rice, from the University’s cafeteria. In the closed system, methane-producing bacteria flourish as the leftovers decompose. The reactor is intended to be installed in industrial or restaurant kitchens, is odorless and provides a renewable source of fuel for gas stoves.
“The reactor itself taught us a lot. We had a design on paper, but once it was built and functioning we had to make a lot of modifications,” explains Rui.

Rui and Jesús both have plans to apply the design in their respective countries. For his part, Rui plans to remain in touch with his classmates in order to patent a prototype and seek financing for the project’s implementation in Mozambique. Jesús is also planning to apply the project in his family’s business in Mexico, which includes a farm, processing plant and restaurant.

 

GENERATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATER PROSPERITY

At EARTH, reinforcing positive values—respect, honesty, commitment to community—is considered as important as instilling solid technical and scientific skills. We prepare leaders who will measure their success not based on their material wealth, but rather on their contribution to the betterment of society and the planet.

 


In 2013, more than 200 EARTH students contributed to development goals in some 17 communities surrounding EARTH’s two campuses.
More than 113 rural families received student support.
Hundreds of school children were trained by EARTH students in environmental literacy.

More than 4 out of every 5 alumni report having a direct and positive influence on social issues.

57% are training farmers
48% are improving working conditions
45% have increased income for rural families
44% have generated employment
40% have increased equality (gender, ethnic, age)
 EARTH alumnus Norvin Goff Salinas (’06, Honduras) is the president of a Coalition of Indigenous Groups in La Mosquitia.

“EARTH fosters a desire to engage yourself in society. This is a great strength of the University: it isn’t just about agronomy, but also about the community.
”EARTH alumnus Norvin Goff Salinas (’06, Honduras) is the president of a Coalition of Indigenous Groups in La Mosquitia, the Caribbean coastal region of Honduras bordering Nicaragua. In September of 2013, Norvin celebrated with his people and indigenous populations worldwide as the Honduran government formally granted roughly 2,700 square miles of territory back to the hands of its original stewards. Norvin represents more than 100,000 residents from five different ethnic groups, and is a passionate promoter of territorial rights for indigenous people.

 

REDEFINING “BUSINESS AS USUAL”

Regardless of their backgrounds and future aspirations, our alumni share in common an entrepreneurial spirit. They see opportunities others may miss and have the confidence to venture out and develop their own projects. But perhaps more importantly, they see business ownership as a means to achieving a more prosperous and just world by creating dignified employment, promoting environmental sustainability, and giving back in the process.

JOB CREATORS: Among our alumni with their own or family business, 3 out of every 4 create jobs for others.
Alumni with their own or family business by year graduated

6%

Classes of 2009-2013

16%

Classes of 2004-2008

23%

Classes of 1993-2003

 

4 out of every 5 alumni report taking an entrepreneurial approach in their private sector jobs helping drive economic growth.

51% have developed new projects
42% have made administrative changes to increase profits
35% have diversified business activities
35% have developed innovative ventures
28% have developed value added chains

 

In 2009, Susana Fallas (’01, Costa Rica) created the Hijos de la Tierra Foundation (Hijos de la Tierra translates as Children of the Earth), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and addressing the needs of rural communities in several states in Mexico.

In 2009, Susana Fallas (’01, Costa Rica) created the Hijos de la Tierra Foundation (Hijos de la Tierra translates as Children of the Earth), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and addressing the needs of rural communities in several states in Mexico.
Today, her organization offers practical workshops based on the needs and interests of the communities she serves. Over the years, her Foundation has implemented workshops on organic fertilizers, waste water treatment, integrated farm management, livestock nutrition, rainwater collection, palm oil processing and cacao production, to name a few.

“What we are striving for is to generate social action; this is the most important part of what we do,” Susana says of the Foundation. “We’re not an organization that transmits technology, but rather a group that transmits knowledge, so that people can make their own decisions in the development of their communities.”

 

FUNDING OUR FUTURE

By ensuring every student has the support and programs needed to become highly-influential global citizens, we are not just changing the course of their lives, but also that of their families, communities and the future of humanity and our planet.


More than 60% of students have need-based, full scholarships covering the totality of the costs associated with their EARTH education.
Through our endowment, commercial activities and unrestricted donations, we are able to subsidize 59% of the educational costs for ALL of our students.
EARTH’s endowment grew by 14% (compared to 11% in 2012), ending the year with a total value of $100 million] (up from $93.8 million in 2012).
We raised $14.4 million in 2013, exceeding our goals for the year by 11%, helping ensure that we can provide a highlypersonalized world-class education to young leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds.

 

EARTH University Operational Budget 2013 Financial Results
(in thousands of dollars)

Income
Tuition payments and scholarship donations $6,564.1
Other income (special projects, commercial activities, other donations) 3,790.9
EARTH Endowment 7,993.9
$18,348.6
Expenses
Compensation and benefits for administrative and operational personnel $6,412.3
Compensation and benefits for faculty and senior administrative staff 4,310.8
Operational expenses 4,947.5
Equipment investment and replacement 800.6
Contingencies 49.0
Fundrasing 1,828.4
$18,348.6

 

How we Allocate our Operational Resources

How we Allocate our Operational Resources

40% Teaching and academic support
20% Student services
20% Administration
11% Fundraising
9% Maintenance

How our Budget is Financed

How our Budget is Financed

44% Endowment
38% Donations
10% Student tuition
8% Commercial activities and special projets

 

© Lynn Hoffman-Brouse for EARTH University

EARTH subsidizes 59% of the total cost for each and every student, and 60% of the University’s operational budget goes directly towards teaching, academic support and student services.

EARTH UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

From its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the EARTH University Foundation, a registered 501 (c)(3) public charity, directly supports the educational mission of EARTH through generous gifts from the global community and other programs and initiatives.

EARTH University Foundation Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2013

ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $1,763,056
Prepaid expenses, deposits and other receivables 427,260
Receivable from EARTH 121,416
Pledge receivable, net 4,537,501
Endowment pledges receivable, net 2,995,175
Endowment and other investments 18,634,304
Cash surrender value of life insurance 292,692
Property and equipment, net 13,412
$18,348.6
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Liabilities $18,208
Advance from EARTH 100,000
Scholarships payable to EARTH 82,486
Pledge receivable, net 4,537,501
Payable to EARTH Trust 219,186
Endowment and other investments 18,634,304
Cash surrender value of life insurance 292,692
Net Assets
Unrestricted
Board designated for endowment 175,000
Available for operations 1,130,857
1,305,857
Temporarily restricted 7,222,923
Permanently restricted 20,036,850
28,565,630
28,784,816

EARTH University Foundation Statement of Functional Expenses Year Ended December 31, 2013

Programs Administrative Fundraising Total Expenses
Salaries and Benefits $359,888 $124,310 $249,523 $733,721
Consulting 10,634 143,636 154,270
Professional Services 4,848 64,967 6,940 76,755
Office Expenses 89,043 27,323 53,589 169,955
Events 26,346 26,346
Travel and Board Meetings 5,996 23,749 65,031 94,776
Scholarships 1,818,374 1,818,374
Project and Program Expense 2,084,165 20,601 2,104,766
Other 11,529 11,529
TOTAL EXPENSES $4,362,314 $283,113 $545,065 $ 5,190,492

 

Every time I talk with EARTH students, I come away feeling that these young people are going to change the world. They leave the University wanting to improve the lives of those in their communities, and with the confidence to work both locally and globally toward a more sustainable world. They are incredibly impressive young people who work harder than any students I have ever seen. That is why I support EARTH. –Lynn Hoffman-Brouse, EARTH donor and member of the EARTH University Foundation Board of Trustees, photographed with EARTH student Primrose Najjemba (’16, Uganda) on the EARTH campus.

Lynn Hoffman-Brouse, EARTH donor and member of the EARTH University Foundation Board of Trustees, photographed with EARTH student Primrose Najjemba (’16, Uganda) on the EARTH campus. Click on photo to read more.

OUR DONORS

We recognize and appreciate the generous support of the following donors whose gifts were received from January 1-December 31, 2013. These individuals, businesses, foundations, governments and international organizations make the continued fulfilment of our mission possible.

*Multi-year Commitment
EARTH Supporter for 15+ Consecutive Years
EARTH Supporter for 10+ Consecutive Years
EARTH Supporter for 5+ Consecutive Years

$5,000,000 +

The Cummins Foundation*
Mastercard Foundation*
Real Embajada de Noruega*
USAID-ASHA

$1,000,000 +

A.G. Leventis Foundation*
AYCO Charitable Foundation*
Anonymous Donor*
Mrs. Martin T. Gatins*
Instituto Ecuatoriano de Crédito Educativo y
Becas (IECE)*
Katherine John Murphy Foundation*
Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas de Panamá*
Open Society Foundations*
Denny and Tim Solso*

$250,000 - $999,999

BAC San José*
Jane and Dameron Black III*
The BOMA Project*
Kathleen and Douglas Colson*
Corrugados del Atlántico*
Anonymous Donor*
Exposition Foundation, Inc.*
Fundación CRUSA*
Fundación Progreso Guanacaste*
Fundación Simón I. Patiño*
The Martin Agency
Karin and Mark Ohrstrom*
Ken and Sally Ohrstrom*
Scotiabank*
SENACYT Panamá*
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
Wege Foundation*

$100,000 - $249,999

AGEARTH Ecuador*
Mrs. Anne H. Bass*
Charles R. O’Malley Charitable Lead Trust
The Coca-Cola Foundation
Corporación Automercado*
Gerald A. and Karen A. Kolschowsky
Foundation, Inc.*
MAYCA*
Ministerio de Educación de Belice*
W. K. Kellogg Foundation*
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Kolschowsky*
Robert and Karen Kustel*
William and Linda McQuillan*
Moore Family Foundation*
Mr. Steven E. Moore*
PACT Belize*
Volcafé Costa Rica*

$50,000 - $99,999

Ana Regina Aguirre de Riojas
Anonymous Donor
Joshua and Elyse Arnow*
Francine and Bob Barrett
The Butler Foundation*
DUWEST
George L. Ohrstrom Jr. Foundation*
Grupo Colono*
Henri Lambert
Hoffman-Brouse Foundation*
Ms. Lynn Hoffman-Brouse and Mr. Mark S.
Brouse*
Dianne and Ron Hoge*
Island Outpost, LLC*
Mammel Family Foundation*
Ingenio Plan de San Luis y Cañeros*
Charles and Lisa Siegel

$25,000 - $49,999

Allan and Marilyn Brown Fund*
Anonymous Donor
Battle Creek Community Foundation
Norma K. Buchman
Ms. Karen Caplan and Mr. Garry Plotkin
Coca Cola Interamerican Corporation
Coopeguanacaste*
Durman Esquivel
Francis Durman
Eight Strands Foundation*
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund*
Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Inc.
Fundación Enlasa
Interra International*
Cynthia and Stephen Isaf*
Dr. Bobby Moser
Dr. and Mrs. Gary L. Seevers
Seevers Family Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation*
The Sustainability Laboratory Inc.*
Clare and George Todd
Richard and Susan VanderVeen
Jeannie B. Wright*

$15,000 - $24,999

H. R. Arnold III and Claire Lewis Arnold</strong style=”color:#f37321;”>
Jean Blackwell & Kim Williams
The Briarwood Farm Foundation
Central Indiana Community Foundation
Grupo Nación
Kalsec, Inc.
Alan Kelso
Mr. and Mrs. Barnaby Ohrstrom
Realan Foundation, Inc.
Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo
Garth and Joanne Rogers
Stewart/WKKF Trustee Fund, Joseph M.
Stewart, Advisor
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
Mr. Richard Tsoumas

$10,000 - $14,999

Mr. and Mrs. Kent B. Alexander
The Edward Colston Foundation Inc.
Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
United States Embassy San Jose Costa Rica

$5,000 - $9,999

ADN
Dr. Abdallah Alaoui
Barbara and Ivor Freeman Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Besancon
Ashleigh and Lawrence Black
Cafetalera Aquiares, S.A.
Combined Jewish Philanthropies
Ms. Sylvia de Leon and Mr. Lynn Coleman
DHL Costa Rica
Rick and Pamela Foster
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Fluharty
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Frenkel
Frey Foundation
Instituto Nacional de Seguros
José Antonio Zaglul Slon
Laura Frey
James Starr Moore Memorial Foundation
The Joe & Rosa Frenkel Charitable Trust
Dr. Therus Kolff, M.D.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney MacMillan
Ms. Starr Moore
Schnieders Family Foundation
Schwab Charitable Fund
Thomas and Sharon Sherrard
Standard Solar
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease
WEM Foundation
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
World Food Program USA

$1,000 - $4,999

Luisa Acuña Alvarado
Americana Foundation
Anonymous Donor
Anonymous Donor
Joe Andrew and Hon. Anne Slaughter Andrew
Arcelor Mittal Costa Rica
Charles and Susan Atlee
Baxter Healthcare Center
Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Beahrs
Ms. Ada Lea Birnie
Mr. and Mrs. Niles Bolton
Mr. James R. Bridgeland, Jr.
Charlevoix County Community Foundation
Chatham University
Mr. and Mrs. Erik Christoffersen
Mr. and Mrs. Rick K. Clark
Class of 2013.
Clorox de Centroamérica S.A.
Linda and William Dietel
Ms. Elizabeth Dietel and Dr. Michael Sands
Dorfman-Pacific Company, Inc.
Dowager Fund
Ms. Wendy Druce and Mr. Hugh Durden
EarthShare
Janet Eastridge
Eco Sunrise
Dielle Fleischmann
Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Fletcher
Flextech-Zesta
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Frank
Goodman-Lipman Family Foundation
Carlos Enrique González Pinto
Mr. Bob Goodman and Ms. Jane Lipman
Helene Harding and Dr. Patrick Briggs
Ms. Jessie M. Harris and Mr. George W.
Cunningham

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Highsmith
Christine and Jon Hoek
José Ricardo Barcia Jarre*
Kevin Barcia Jarre*
Kathleen S. Brooks Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Kelley
Mr. Timothy J. Kolschowsky
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Lutton
Gustavo Rafael Manrique Miranda
Daniel Ignacio Man Ging Valverde
Maurer Publishing, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Maurer
Monomoy Fund, Inc
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, Inc.
Northern Piedmont Community
Foundation
Mr. Gerry Ohrstrom
Rodrigo Oreamuno
Ms. Jennifer Potter Winton and Mr. John N. Winton
Ms. Franki Roberts
Ms. Hannah Rusch
Jeanine and Guy Saperstein
Drs. Margaret and Michael Sherraden
Wendy Judy and Daniel Sherrard
Mr. Jake P. Short
Mr. Tim Statler
Dr. Steven Tanksley
Mr. Randal C. Teague, Esq.
Tico Frut
Tull Charitable Foundation, Inc.
United Way of Bartholomew County
Dr. and Mrs. Andrew G. Vaughn
Ms. Faith Vruggink and Mr. Victor Sanchez
Ms. Michaela L. Walsh
Margaret and Terry Wittenberg
Ms. Rebecca S. Wood
Mr. Thomas C. Wood
Randi S.N. Yoder and Michael J. Henley
Mrs. Ann Z. Zwicker-Kerr-Adams
and Mr. Ken Adams
482 DONORS UNDER $1,000

OUR BOARDS AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

T.M. (Tim) Solso, President, USA
Alan Kelso, Vice President, Costa Rica
Pedro Leon, Secretary, Costa Rica
Ana Regina Aguirre de Riojas, Guatemala
Abdallah Alaoui, Morocco
Anne Slaughter Andrew, USA
Marisa Brenninkmeyer, England
Franklin Chang-Díaz, USA/Costa Rica
Francis Durman Esquivel, Costa Rica
Carlos Enrique González Pinto, Costa Rica
Olav Kjørven, Norway
Randal C. Teague, USA

EMERITI DIRECTORS

Isabel Abreu, Dominican Republic
Salvador Alemañy, Puerto Rico
Norman A. Brown†, USA
Rodolfo Cortés R.†, Costa Rica
Jorge Manuel Dengo O.†, Costa Rica
Hernán Fonseca†, Costa Rica
Eduardo King Carr†, Brazil
Luis Alberto Monge, Costa Rica
José Elías Sánchez †, Honduras
Glen Taggart †, USA


† Deceased

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Randal C. Teague, President, USA
Randi S.N. Yoder, Vice President, USA
G. Richard Fletcher, Treasurer, USA
Mark Ohrstrom, USA
T.M. (Tim) Solso, USA

EMERITUS TRUSTEE

Norman A. Brown †, USA


† Deceased

EARTH UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mark Ohrstrom, Chairman, USA
Therus Kolff, Treasurer, USA
Kent Alexander, USA
Claire Arnold, USA
Ross Arnold, USA
Joshua Arnow, USA
Michael Besancon, USA
Jane Black, USA
Mark Brouse,USA
Kathleen Colson, USA
Sylvia de Leon, USA
Lynn Hoffman-Brouse, USA
Ronald Hoge, USA
Alan Kelso, Costa Rica
Gustavo Manrique, Ecuador
T.M. (Tim) Solso, USA
Randi S.N. Yoder, USA

PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY BOARD

John M. Bridgeland, President, USA
Jane Black, USA
Ashleigh Black, USA
Lawrence Black, USA
Carlos Gustavo Cano, Colombia
Ernesto Castegnaro, Costa Rica
Richard M. Foster, USA
Abdulsalam Haykal, Syria
Whitney MacMillan, USA
Elke Ruge Hawila, Costa Rica/UK
Malcolm W. Wilson, USA
Ann Zwicker-Kerr-Adams, USA

PRESIDENT’S YOUNG ADVISORY BOARD

Edward Brenninkmeyer, President, The
Netherlands/USA
Coco Brenninkmeyer, The
Netherlands/USA
Caily Bridgeland, USA
Jose Mauricio Cano, Colombia
Olli Coupe, UK
Will Dunn, UK
Sofia Englund, Sweden
Gabriela Frias, Mexico
Paula Ferraz, Brazil
Viviana Gazel, Costa Rica
Amanda Hawila, UK/Costa Rica
Elena Hawila, UK/Costa Rica
Dia Haykal, Syria
Davar Irvani, USA
Adam Klopp, USA
Chris Kobes, USA
Jose López Sanchez, Dominican Republic
Cameron McLain, United Kingdom
Sophie Morrison, United Kingdom
Alishba Patel, Pakistan
Lily Rubino, USA
Josh Stroman, USA
Johnny Taee, United Kingdom
Alex Ward, United Kingdom
Johnny Winn, United Kingdom
Luc Zeigler, USA
Shukri, Lebanon

EARTH UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP TEAM

José Zaglul, President
Daniel Sherrard, Provost
Gerardo Mirabelli, Vice President of
Development
Edgar Alvarado, Dean
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR PLANS TO VISIT EARTH THIS YEAR?
Few places in the world imbue such optimism and hope.
We invite you to come and see the “EARTH effect” for yourself.

 

Other ways you can support EARTH:

 

Purchase EARTH products at Whole Foods Market.
Learn at EARTH. We offer a wide range of short-term courses and training programs, as well as educational tourism packages for youth and adults alike.
Be an active part of our online community and share our posts.
Tell your friends about how EARTH is changing lives, one leader at a time.

 

EARTH University,
PO box 4442-1000, San José, Costa Rica;
Phone: +506 2713-0000; Fax: +506 2713-0001
EARTH University Foundation; 3525 Piedmont Road NE, 8 Piedmont Center Suite 520, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA;
Phone +1 404 995-1230; Fax +1 404 995-1240
EARTH University 2013 Annual Report. Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved.

Download our print version here.