Dr. Luul Ghebrednghil

Dr. Luul Ghebrednghil was born and raised in Eritrea. While attending Haile Selassie University, she met Donna Zahalka of Oshkosh, who was studying in Ethiopia through an exchange program. Luul emigrated to the United States in 1972 and lived with the Zahalka family while attending UW-Oshkosh, where Don Zahalka was employed as a faculty member and Director of University Publications. After earning her bachelor’s degree in microbiology in 1977, she graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1986. Her career in internal medicine took her across the country, ultimately working at the Roseburg VA Medical Center in Roseburg, Oregon. Dr. Ghebrednghil created the Donald & Jeanne Zahalka Scholarship “in honor of the memory of Donald Zahalka and Jeanne Zahalka,” saying, “With their help and support, I reached where I am now. I also hope this will impact the lives of others in a positive way.” The scholarship is awarded to elementary education students pursuing dual licensure in early childhood special education and early childhood education.