BROOKS INSTITUTE HOSTS FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT THE REBUILDING OF A SCHOOL FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN OF LAOS

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – (April 17, 2008) – Brooks Institute hosts a fundraiser to help Brooks graduate, Bryan Watt, and his wife, Leila Srour, rebuild a school and children's center in Laos. Brooks will hold a photographic exhibition of prints from May 26 to July 10th at the Brooks Institute Cota Street Gallery, 27 E. Cota Street. On Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 5-8:00pm all work will be auctioned and the event will coincide with Santa Barbara's Downtown First Thursday art walk.

Bryan Watt graduated from Brooks Institute's undergraduate program in December 1998. He then entered the graduate program and became a graduate assistant teaching the first two courses in the professional photography program. While he was a student, he spent time in Laos where he was overwhelmed by the desperate need of children in the area. Returning to the U.S. he inspired his wife, Dr. Leila Srour, to give up her pediatric practice in Santa Barbara and move to Laos to help these children in need. In May of 2002, they made the move and have lived and worked there ever since.

In the northern city of Muang Sing in Laos near the Chinese border, there is a temporary classroom structure built out of sticks with a thatched roof. The Watts' current objective is to rebuild a permanent school with a children's center for 286 children. Brooks Institute is dedicated to help them achieve this goal. On June 5, 2008 we will have a silent auction of prints donated from the alumni, staff, faculty, and friends of Brooks Institute in an effort to raise the $20,000 needed to complete the project.

Bryan Watt believes a socially responsible photographer leaves with a part of the subject's soul; and in return, must give by helping those in need. Brian and Leila help to arrange medical care at the local, provincial, and national level, and have also helped Lao children to travel overseas for heart surgery and facial reconstruction. Bryan donates 100% of the profits he makes from his photography to support his cause while Leila donates her medical expertise to the children.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information on Laos and the children's fundraiser, please visit www.laochildren.org. Or you can contact Brooks' photography faculty member, Russ McConnell at (805) 690-7612. Bryan Watt and his wife, Dr. Leila Srour will be in attendance at the fundraiser. The Brooks Cota Street Gallery is located at 27 E. Cota Street in Santa Barbara.

About Brooks Institute
Brooks Institute celebrates more than 60 years of educating students in the visual and media arts. With campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, California, the school offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in fields including Professional Photography, Visual Journalism, Film and Video Production and Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography. Brooks' graduates are visible nationally and internationally, working for distinguished organizations including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Los Angeles Times and other national media outlets, including Hallmark Publishing, Cousteau Society, HBO, Kodak and other industry leaders in the visual media arts fields. Brooks Institute is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information about Brooks Institute and the school's programs, visit www.brooks.edu, or call 805-966-3888.