IE&O News

Five SIS Students Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi

11/12/2009 12:00:00 AM

On Thursday, November 12^th, Phi Kappa Phi held its annual induction ceremony. Among those honored were five students in the School of International Studies’ Graduate Program. Graduate students at OSU are inducted into the honor society for having a 4.0 GPA during their graduate education. SIS’s Graduate Program has had 5-7 students inducted into the prestigious honor society each year. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, you can visit their website.

OSU’s Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society Chapter Inducts 27 New Members

11/11/2009 12:00:00 AM

OSU’s Chapter of the Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony November 11th in the Wes Watkins Center. Twenty-five OSU candidates and two honorary candidates – community members Sylvia Duncan and Robert Burk – were selected for membership. Dr. Barbara Stoecker, 2008 recipient of OSU’s International Education Faculty Excellence Award delivered the keynote address. Her address outlined the development and anticipated outcomes of USAID’s newly established Consortium of African and US Educators (CAUSE), of which OSU is a member. OSU Phi Beta Delta Chapter President Dr. Shida Henneberry delivered the statement of induction, and Provost Marlene Strathe conferred the Phi Beta Delta medallions and offered closing remarks.

Spears School of Business and SIS Host an MOU Signing Ceremony with UKRIDA University of Indonesia

10/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

The OSU Spears School of Business with the School of International Studies hosted representatives of UKRIDA University of India for a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony and luncheon on October 20^th. UKRIDA representatives Pendeta Dr. Aristarchus Sukarto and Henry L. Njoo visited OSU to explore the establishment of a cooperative relationship for instruction, research, extension and exchanges with OSU. This will create new opportunities and allow students and faculty to expand their knowledge and interests.

Ceremony attendees came to the Wes Watkins Center’s historic Point IV Room to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities. OSU’s international involvement began almost sixty years ago when US President Harry S. Truman appointed OSU President Henry G. Bennett to lead the US’s newly formed Point IV Program (now USAID). One of the first projects of the Program was to establish an exchange relationship between OSU and Ethiopia, establishing Ethiopia’s Alemaya University (now Haramaya University).

OSU Welcomes Visitors from Puebla, Mexico’s UPAEP University

10/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

As OSU and the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP) continue discovering partnership opportunities for teaching, research, outreach and development programs, several representatives from UPAEP visited the OSU campus September 6-26. It is a common goal that the strong ties between the universities will lead to additional educational collaborations between the schools, as well as their home states of Oklahoma and Puebla.

The visit was organized by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, School of International Studies and OSU’s UPAEP Liaison Office. UPAEP and OSU have enjoyed a partnership since 1991 that has lead to student and faculty exchanges, a Dual Degree Master’s Program and reciprocal liaison offices in Stillwater and Puebla. For more information about opportunities with UPAEP, visit the OSU-UPAEP webpage or email Lupita Fabregas

OSU Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the new University of Ségou in Mali, Africa

10/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

On October 15^th, the School of International Studies with OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (DASNR) facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Ségou of the Republic of Mali, Africa. The MOU indicates an openness to explore future opportunities for academic collaboration. There were several OSU faculty members and staff who witnessed the emotional ceremony that started a new relationship between the two institutions. After the MOU signing, Minister Ginette Bellegarde Siby, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Mali, stated, “The University of Ségou was officially born today.” Those historic words will be remembered by the guests as the birth of a new university in the Republic of Mali.

DASNR hosted the Malian delegation October 14 - 16. The delegation included Minister Siby; Pr. Amadou Diallo, Rector, University of Bamako; Pr. Abdoulaye Salim Cissé, Chairman of the Steering Committee, University of Ségou; and, Pr. Bakary Cissé, Head of the Research Division, University of Bamako. Dr. David Henneberry, DASNR’s Director of International Programs, was thoroughly pleased to host the delegation and start a new cooperation. “It is a new relationship that will continue for a long time and benefit both institutions,” said Henneberry.

The School of International Studies coordinates the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between OSU and institutions and governments across the US and the world. Currently, OSU has more than 180 active international agreements with over 150 entities encompassing almost 60 countries throughout the globe. OSU faculty and administrators are actively engaged in increasing and emphasizing these agreements and exchanges to advance OSU’s ambitious efforts to internationalize students’ educational experience and research endeavors.

SIS Grad Program Students Start Fall Classes

8/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Graduate Program of the School of International Studies welcomed 35 new students to campus in August. This makes the total enrolled for Fall ’09 now stand at 90 students. The class is a pretty diverse one. It is comprised of approximately 50% male and female students and about 60% domestic and 40% international students. Fourteen states are represented among the domestic students and 23 countries are represented among the international students. SIS is pleased to welcome such a diverse group of students to campus. This is an exciting way to begin the 11^th year of Program!

SIS Welcomes Two Esteemed Muskie Fellows into Graduate Program

8/7/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Graduate Program of the School of International Studies (SIS) welcomes two students who were awarded the highly regarded Muskie Program Fellowship. Rafael Zhansultanov from Kazakhstan and Jahan Saparmamedova from Turkmenistan will be among the 30 new students entering the Graduate Program for the Fall 2009 semester. SIS is honored to continue its tradition of having Muskie Fellows in its Graduate Program. Currently, two other students – Firyuza Babayeva of Turkmenistan and Eraj Kaniev of Tajikistan – are among SIS’s 90 students who are working toward their Master’s degrees. In its ten year history, SIS has had about 50 Muskie Fellows go through the Graduate Program. For more information about the Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, click here…

SIS Student Returns from Peace Corps Service in Lesotho

7/27/2009 12:00:00 AM

School of International Studies’ (SIS) student, Jason Field, recently returned from his two year Peace Corps service in Lesotho, Africa. About Lesotho Jason says, "Lesotho is a great place to be. Being surrounded by South Africa offers access to all the comforts of life, yet Lesotho is remote enough to offer a true African experience. It is extremely safe – the English language is widely used, and the people are some of the friendliest on Earth. Anyone planning a trip to Africa should consider the 'Mountain Kingdom' as their destination."

Students in the Peace Corps Master’s International Program, a part of the SIS Graduate Program, take one year of classes, serve their two years of Peace Corps service, then return for a semester of follow-up thesis or creative component hours. It is a unique opportunity to incorporate one’s Peace Corps service into a Master’s degree. SIS has one of the few graduate programs in the US to offer this opportunity, and it is considered one of the nation’s most successful. Since 2003, among alumni, those in the field and those in class, SIS’s program boasts almost 30 participants.

Agreement with Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania

7/15/2009 12:00:00 AM

Oklahoma State University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) wth Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania, on July 15, 2009. OSU professor Dr. Salim Hiziroglu was in Romania for the signing ceremony.

The relationship between the two universities started more than 15 years ago, when Dr. Hiziroglu began correspondence with Transilvania University professors Dr. Lidia Gurau and Dr. Marius Barbu, based on their shared specialties in wood products and technology. Dr. Hiziroglu and Dr. Barbu have also worked together since 2000 to organize international conferences for the International Union Forestry Research Organization (IUFRO).

Potential benefits of the MOU include research collaboration, as well as student and visiting scholar exchanges.

“Transilvania University of Brasov is well-developed and one of the most established research institutions in Romania,” said Dr. Hiziroglu.

Incoming SIS Student Awarded Scholarship for African Development Project

6/25/2009 12:00:00 AM

Tina Dicks, incoming student to the School of International Studies (SIS), has been awarded the first ever Wes & Lou Watkins Matthew 25:40 Scholarship. Tina, whose focus area in SIS will be Human Development, Society & Education and who will also be a Peace Corps Master’s International student, will travel to Sierra Leone this summer to develop 4-H- and FFA-type programs for the country’s large youth population (over 50%). Congressman and Regent Watkins have endowed four Matthew 25:40 Scholarships to incentivize students to travel abroad taking projects to developing countries. Congressman Watkins presented the check for the endowed scholarships to OSU President Burns Hargis at the 10^th Anniversary Celebration of SIS in April. Tina’s project is especially dear to Congressman Watkins because of his heavy involvement in FFA as a youth. In fact, he credits FFA with being the vehicle that opened his eyes to a world that eventually led to him becoming a US Representative from Oklahoma. Tina is the daughter of SIS Faculty Member, Dr. Mike Dicks, in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

10th Anniversary - School of International Studies

5/9/2009 12:00:00 AM

On April 9^th, dignitaries from around the world were welcomed to the Wes Watkins Center to honor the School of International Studies for its first decade of service to OSU and its students. This year also marked the 17^th installment of the Wes Watkins Distinguished Lectureship, where H.E. Dr. Adnan Badran, former Prime Minister of Jordan and OSU alumnus, was the featured speaker. In addition to the Lectureship, SIS celebrated its 10^th Anniversary with a morning reception for Japanese Consul General at Houston, the Honorable Tsutomu Osawa, and afternoon panels that covered Foreign Policy, the Economy and African issues. The morning reception welcomed members of Stillwater’s Sister Cities Council and Oklahoma’s Secretary of State, the Honorable M. Susan Savage. The afternoon panels were chaired by Dr. James Scott, head of OSU’s Political Science Department (Foreign Policy); Dr. Stephen Miller, director of SIS’s Graduate Program (the Economy); and, Dr. Stephan Wilson, dean of OSU’s College of Human Environmental Sciences (African issues). For the list of the panels’ distinguished participants, click here. The day ended for the public with the dedication of the Wes Watkins Center Global Plaza where OSU Regent Andrew Lester, National Sister Cities Chairman Michael Hyatt, OSU Regent Lou Watkins and the Honorable Wes Watkins spoke. That evening, a special reception and dinner were held for the speakers during the day’s events.

OSU Students Garner Two Fulbright Awards

4/29/2009 12:00:00 AM

The Fulbright Resource Center within the School of International Studies has helped two more students attain a prestigious Fulbright grant. Fulbright Teaching Assistantships were announced April 28th for Andrew Moore and Emily Lehenbauer. Wanting to increase its efforts to help students through the extensive application process for Fulbright grants, OSU created the Fulbright Resource Center and made it a unit of SIS. Last year, OSU put forth six applications, and this year, it doubled that number to twelve. For more information about OSU’s Fulbright efforts and application process, visit http://fulbright.okstate.edu. To read about this year’s awardees and the projects for which they were awarded their Fulbright grants, click here…

SIS Alumnus & Oklahoma State Representative Speaks to Contemporary Issues Class

4/23/2009 12:00:00 AM

Cory Williams, alumnus of the School of International Studies’ Graduate Program, was elected in November 2008 to serve as State Representative for Oklahoma’s District 34, which includes Stillwater. On April 23rd, he visited with SIS’s Contemporary Issues class to talk with students about his experience as a student in the Program and how it prepared him for what he is doing now in state politics. Williams’ election to state government further strengthens OSU’s position in state politics. In addition to Rep. Williams’ election to the State House, former OSU President (and former professor of SIS’s Contemporary Issues class), Dr. James Halligan, was elected to serve in the State Senate representing District 21.

OSU-Mexico Liaison Office Assists with CEAT Faculty Travel to Mexico City and Puebla

3/24/2009 12:00:00 AM

From March 24 to March 28, 2009, Dr. Alan Tree, Associate Dean and Professor of Chemical Engineering; Dr. Dan Fisher, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace; Dr. John Veenstra, Head of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Dr. Martin Hagan , Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering traveled to Mexico City and Puebla Mexico.

In Mexico City, they visited with officials of the Ministry of Public Education, the Mexican Foundation for Education, Technology and Science and the National Council of Science and Technology, CONACYT (Mexican Equivalent to NSF). They also met with faculty and administrators from the top Public Higher Education Institutions in the city: UNAM, IPN, UAM.

SIS Holds Its Third Global Briefing of the Year

3/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

The School of International Studies welcomed Steve Forbes for its third Global Briefing of the year Thursday, January 15th. This is the 22^nd Global Briefing that SIS has held since launching the series in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Mr. Forbes, Chairman and CEO of Forbes Inc., and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine, spoke to approximately 1000 students, faculty and other guests with his presentation “The Political Aftermath of the Economic Crisis: Exploring the Challenges that Lie Ahead for a New President.” In addition to the School of International Studies, event sponsors were the Spears School of Business, OSU President’s Speaker Series and the SGA Speakers Board. Mr. Forbes was also inducted as the 21^st member of the School’s Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellows Program. For more about Mr. Forbes’ resume, click here.

SIS Grad Program Associate Director in UPAEP

2/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

On February 26, 2009, Dr. Stephen Miller visited UPAEP campus in Puebla, Mexico to give a lecture on Marketing Strategies. Dr. Miller is Associate Director of the School of International Studies Graduate Program and Professor Emeritus in Marketing. More than 400 undergraduate students and several faculty members of the marketing department attended his presentation.

Dr. Miller also had the opportunity to interact with UPAEP alumni and staff and encourage them to take part in the OSU/UPAEP activities.

UPAEP is a private university located in Puebla, Mexico with strong ties to OSU. UPAEP features a small, but growing Division of Agriculture. Programs in development include student practical training at OSU, faculty exchange programs, jointly taught courses and other in partnership between OSU and UPAEP.

OSU Exchange Students at UDLAP, Spring 2009

2/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

During the Spring of 2009, Three OSU students are at the UDLAP in Mexico on a reciprocal exchange program. Abbie Field (Accounting/Spanish), Brianna Jett (Ag Economics) and Katy Kenslow (Marketing/Spanish) have spent the last 3 months in Puebla, Mexico, two hours south of Mexico City.

Brianna Jett on her experience in Mexico: “Being a fourth year Agricultural Economics student I decided to take advantage of OSU's international programs and study abroad at the Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. I have now been here 11 weeks and am enjoying my experience greatly. UDLA has an excellent Spanish second language program, but I am learning not only the language, but also about the history and culture of the area. Studying abroad in Mexico has been an excellent experience, and I would encourage more OSU students to take part in it.”

The School of International Studies hosts Kenya’s Moi University for Luncheon

12/2/2008 12:00:00 AM

On Tuesday, December 2nd, the School of International Studies welcomed representatives from MOI University for a luncheon to discuss cooperation with the university. OSU’s Spears School of Business arranged their week-long visit to OSU and various departments on campus.

Last year, OSU and Moi University signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the universities to develop an exchange relationship. For the MOU signing, representatives of Moi’s agricultural college visited. This year, representatives from its MBA program visited.

The School of International Studies serves as a resource to assist OSU’s academic units as they establish partnerships with international universities. These partnerships are a continuing international legacy that OSU president Henry G. Bennett began in 1950. At one time, the New York Times listed OSU as the most internationally involved university in the US.

Director of International Education & Outreach Honored with National Award

10/6/2008 12:00:00 AM

Dr. James G. Hromas, director of OSU’s International Education and Outreach (IE&O) Department has received the 2008 Great Plains UCEA John L. Christopher Outstanding Leadership Award. The purpose of the John L. Christopher Outstanding Leadership Award is to provide recognition for outstanding leadership in the UCEA – University Continuing Education Association – at the regional level as exhibited by participation in regional activities and programs. Dr. Hromas accepted his award at the regional UCEA conference, October 15th in Kansas City.

Dr. Hromas has been a driving force within OSU Outreach and a catalyst for change bringing OSU to regional, national and international recognition through his outreach and international efforts. He chairs the Outreach and International Advisory Councils for OSU-Stillwater and has served on the UCEA board of directors – one term from 1999 to 2001 and a current term that began in 2007 – and the International Sister Cities Board of Directors – currently as the Secretary of the Board. Prior to being the director of IE&O and the School of International Studies, Dr. Hromas was director of Business Extension in the Spears School at OSU for 21 years. In September 2008, he celebrated 40 years of service with OSU Outreach that began with his time as a graduate assistant in Business Extension. To read Dr. Hromas’s nomination letter, click here.

SIS Has Its First Global Briefing of the Year

10/2/2008 12:00:00 AM

To kick off its 10th Anniversary Year, the School of International Studies welcomed Charlie Eitel for the first Global Briefing of the year Thursday, Oct 2nd. Mr. Eitel is a ‘71 alumnus of what is now the Spears School of Business. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the Board for The Simmons (Bedding) Company. His address to students, faculty and other guests was “International Business: A CEO’s Perspective.” Mr. Eitel was awarded the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. He is also one of only 45 of the 225,000 Sigma Nu Fraternity members to be inducted into their hall of fame. His mentor and OSU professor emeritus, Dr B. Curtis Hamm, helped coordinate Mr. Eitel’s visit to OSU. In addition to the School of International Studies, event sponsors were the Spears School of Business and the OSU Foundation. For more about Mr. Eitel’s resume, click here.

To view the Briefing address, click here.

SIS Inducts Two More Into Its Bennett Fellows Program

10/2/2008 12:00:00 AM

Thursday, October 2^nd, the School of International Studies proudly inducted the 19^th and 20^th members into its Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellows Program. The induction coincided with the School’s 20^th presentation of its Global Briefing Series. Inducted were Charlie Eitel, CEO of the Simmons Company, and Dr. B. Curtis Hamm, professor emeritus of OSU. Mr. Eitel’s leadership over the internationally present Simmons Bedding company will give SIS and OSU students timely insight into the career of an international businessman. In his more than 30 years of teaching and traveling, Dr Hamm can impart his unique perspective of integrating international endeavors into one’s educational experience. You can visit the Bennett Fellows Program website for more information about the Program as well as the biographies of the twenty Bennett Fellows

OSU Wellness Walk

9/26/2008 12:00:00 AM

IEO Staff participated in the OSU Wellness Walk for United Way Friday, September 26th in effort to help reach the campus's goal of $180,000 of the area United Way's total $800,000 goal. IEO's staff have committed to raising $1500.

OSU-Mexico Liaison Office Hosts Latin American Independence Fiesta

9/12/2008 12:00:00 AM

17 Latin American countries had a fiesta at OSU to celebrate their independence. Those countries celebrating independence were: in July, – Argentina, Colombia, Perú, Puerto Rico (US Independence Day) and Venezuela; in August – Bolivia, Ecuador and Uruguay; and, in September – Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México and Nicaragua. The fiesta was hosted by LASA, LDCC, HSA, HSFA, SAGA and the OSU - Mexico Liaison Office at the Wes Watkins Center’s Exhibit Hall on Friday, September 12th. More than 250 people attended the event which featured food, cultural presentations and dancing. For more information about the event, email José Sagarnaga at jose.sagarnaga@okstate.edu or Brenda Morales at blm@okstate.edu or Pedro Lozada at pedro.lozada@okstate.edu.

The School of International Studies Graduate Program Welcomes its New Class of Students

8/15/2008 12:00:00 AM

On Friday, August 15^th, the Graduate Program, within the School of International Studies, welcomed its largest group of students to date. This fall’s entering class of 38 students represents 15 countries and 8 US states. The graduate program has seen phenomenal growth in its short, ten year history. Beginning with the first class of 13 students, the program now has approximately 90 students enrolled each semester. In May 2006, the 100^th student graduated from the program, and, in December 2008, the 200^th student will graduate! In celebration of School’s 10^th Anniversary, all units of the School of International Studies will have events throughout the year to reflect what the School has been able to accomplish in regard to its mission – to serve as an academic framework for integrating the resources of all eight OSU academic units and colleges to expand international opportunities in instruction, research and outreach for individuals and organizations seeking a greater understanding and involvement in world trade and international affairs.

OSU-Mexico Liaison Office Hosts 57 Students from Mexico’s ITESM University

6/23/2008 12:00:00 AM

At the end of May, the OSU-OSU - Mexico Liaison Office in the School of International Studies, welcomed 57 students from Mexico’s Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) to begin a month-long study abroad experience. ITESM, like OSU, is a university system with several (33) campuses. The students, sophomores thru seniors, from 5 of ITESM’s campuses, took classes is Finance, Entrepreneurship and Engineering taught by PhD students and adjunct faculty. In addition to their classwork, students visited area businesses and cultural sites in Oklahoma. Examples of sites visited include Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum, OKC’s National Memorial, Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show and the Iowa Tribe’s annual pow-wow. Begun last year by the Spears School of Business with 21 students, the program saw phenomenal growth this year. SIS hopes to develop this program as a prototype to offer study abroad experiences for other countries as well. In addition, it would like to encourage other countries to offer similar month-long experiences to OSU’s students.

OSU Recognizes Three Winners of Fulbright Award

6/17/2008 12:00:00 AM

Oklahoma State University has announced that three students have been awarded prestigious Fulbright Teaching Assistantships for the next academic year.

Christy Miller of Broken Arrow will be teaching in Germany and Evan Black of Stillwater has been assigned to Chile. A Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship places students in overseas schools to improve foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the U.S.

Earlier, Christy Milliken of Edmond, a senior English and economics major, was selected for a Fulbright and will spend the coming year teaching English in Indonesia.

Please visit OSU's Press Releases for more information about Ms. Miller, Ms. Black, and Ms. Milliken.

Honor society members volunteer in Mexico

5/9/2008 12:00:00 AM

Seven Blue Key Honor Society members traveled to central Mexico this summer for a service project that allowed them to visit several of OSU’s academic partners, and work as volunteers at an orphanage and a zoo. May graduates Matt Carter of Norman, Whitney Danker of Wellston, Jonathan Krepel of Kingfisher and Kenner Misner of Sapulpa, along with Brianna Jett and Travis Jett, both Laverne seniors, and Courtney Timmons, Ada senior, were in Puebla and Mexico City where they attended a local parade, saw a bullfight, and volunteered at the African Safari park. The Blue Key students also volunteered at an orphanage in Puebla where nearly 70 children, from newborns to elementary age, are cared for. The students were hosted by the OSU-Mexico Liaison Office and the service project was funded by OSU Blue Key, the OSU President’s Office, OSU International Education and Outreach and the OSU Student Government Association.

Inaugural "Outstanding Faculty Study Abroad Leader" Award Winner Announced

4/16/2008 12:00:00 AM

Dr Steve Harrist of the College of Education was awarded the first Outstanding Faculty Study Abroad Leader Award during the Campus Life Sponsored President’s Leadership Recognition Ceremony April 16^th. Dr. Harrist has led numerous study abroad programs abroad. In 2006, he and co-sponsors took 17 students to the United Nations headquarters in New York, Paris and Geneva. In 2007, he took 24 students TO Ireland and England to study leadership and ethics with special emphasis on Winston Churchill. This May, 46 students from several colleges within the university are enrolled in International Perspectives in Ethics and Leadership and will travel to Athens and Rome. Currently, Dr Harrist is developing a proposal for a multi-dimensional partnership with the Belizean community and a Belizean Higher Education Partner, multiple academic units at OSU, and non-profit groups and corporate partners. The unifying theme for this initiative is “growing the field of sustainable eco-tourism.” In addition to his international work, Dr Harrist has also contributed significantly to OSU. Starting in 2003, in partnership with the Office of Leadership Development and the College of Education Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, he developed the OSU Undergraduate Leadership Certificate Program. In the spring of 2007, the state regents approved the program as the OSU Leadership Minor. Dr Harrist has set a great standard for future recipients of the Outstanding Faculty Study Abroad Leader Award. For more information about OSU’s Study Abroad programs: visit either studyabroad.okstate.edu or www.itravel.okstate.edu.

SIS Hosts a Global Briefing with Oklahoma’s Secretary of State

4/3/2008 12:00:00 AM

The School of International Studies held its fourth Global Briefing of the year April 3^rd. The featured speaker was Oklahoma’s Secretary of State, Susan Savage. Secretary Savage spoke to the packed room about her experiences since her office was designated as the one responsible for the state’s international relations and protocol last year. One of the big challenges she has right now is making sense of the new legislation that has been introduced in Oklahoma to designate English as its official language. Just prior to coming to speak, she had the opportunity to read through the entire legislation. One point of concern is whether or not it will be illegal for her to use state funds to translate state documents for visiting dignitaries to read. With this instance and others, Secretary Savage gave a relevant view of a government official’s role in today’s ever-changing global society.

SIS in Conjunction with OSU’s College of Education Holds a Global Briefing

3/27/2008 12:00:00 AM

The School of International Studies, with OSU’s College of Education, held its third Global Briefing of the year on March 27^th. The featured speaker was Dr Lloyd Lewan. Dr Lewan is an alumnus of the College of Education and served for many years as Dean then as Chairman of the Board for the Institute for Shipboard Education. The Institute is the governing body for the Semester at Sea program where students study for a semester traveling all over the world. Dr Lewan shared with the crowd of about 175 students, faculty and OSU administration some his experiences aboard the ship and spoke about the role of proper leadership in today’s global society. Dr Lloyd has written a book addressing this very issue – “To be a Leader: Leadership Beyond Management.” To end his talk, Dr Lewan encouraged the attendees to include studying or traveling abroad as part of their learning experience. He said that we owe it to our children to be knowledgeable citizens of the world. For more information about Dr Lewan or to suggest someone who could be a potential speaker for SIS’s Global Briefing Series, contact SIS’s Coordinator of International Outreach Brett Wood at 405.744.5662 or brett.wood@okstate.edu.

SIS Students Attend the 16th Annual International Student Awareness Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol

3/24/2008 12:00:00 AM

Several SIS students were among those welcomed to the Oklahoma State Capitol by legislators for the 16^th Annual International Student Awareness Day on March 24^th. International high school and college students are invited each year by the state’s legislators to thank the students for choosing Oklahoma to further their education. The event is sponsored by the Joint Legislative Committee on International Development in conjunction with the Secretary of State’s office and the Governor’s International Team (of which SIS’s Interim Associate Director Dr Steve Miller is a member). Students sit in the House chamber in the State Representatives seats and in the gallery and are welcomed by the Joint Committee’s Co-Chair and MC Shane Jett with their country’s typical greeting. This year, approximately 75 countries were represented in the enthusiastic crowd. After the welcoming ceremony, students gathered for a large group photo on the capitol’s interior grand staircase (they will each receive a copy of the picture in the coming weeks). Finally, they were treated to a buffet of local restaurants’ food that was donated for the event and were entertained with various singers and dancers in the capitol’s rotunda. Click here for pictures of the event.

Students and staff from the School of International Studies Attend Dubai’s 3rd Women as Global Leaders Conference

3/10/2008 12:00:00 AM

SIS students Latasha Wilson and Janet Herren and ELI Director Kay Keys attended the 3^rd Women as Global Leaders Conference in Dubai March 10^th-12^th. The conference continued it’s commitment to leadership education and women's leadership with the theme "Learning Leadership". Among this year’s conference speakers were Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson; Founder & Chairwoman of the Arab International Women’s Forum, Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani; Actress Jane Fonda and Journalist Helen Thomas. The conference is held in conjunction with Zayed University every other year. OSU helped develop and works with Zayed’s Executive MBA Program and has sent several university officials, including IEO Director Dr James Hromas and OSU Spears School of Business Dean Sara Freedman, to speak at the University’s graduation ceremonies.

SIS Inducts Former Mexico President Vicente Fox as a Bennett Fellow

3/5/2008 9:00:00 PM

The School of International Studies, along with OSU’s Spears School of Business, had the distinct honor to induct former Mexico President Vicente Fox as the 17^th member of SIS’s Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellows Program on February 5^th. President Fox visited Oklahoma as the guest speaker for the Oklahoma City Management Briefing Series and Tulsa Business Forums Series, both put on by the Spears School’s Center for Executive and Professional Development. Fox spoke about “Bringing the New Economy to Latin America.” During the visit, José Sagarnaga, manager of the OSU-OSU - Mexico Liaison Office, talked with President Fox about collaborations between the upcoming Fox Center in Mexico and OSU. One of the goals of the OSU-Mexico Liaison Office is to increase the number of Mexican students attending OSU as well as OSU students attending Mexican universities for study abroad experiences. The Fox Center, Mexico’s first presidential library, will not only serve as a reflection of Fox’s time in office from 2000-2006, but it will more importantly serve as an academic center to foster education among Mexico’s students. Along with President Fox, members of SIS’s Bennett Fellows Program include former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former S. Korean Prime Minister Duck Woo Nam and retired US Congressman Wes Watkins.

SIS Students Attend the 16th Annual Women’s Business Leadership Program

3/5/2008 12:00:00 AM

Word is spreading about the successful activities of the OSU Study Abroad Office. Since OSU Interim President and Provost Marlene Strathe launched an initiative to significantly increase the international experience of OSU’s graduates, the Study Abroad Office, part of the School of International Studies, has been working non-stop to advise and help students who are becoming more and more aware of the office’s services. Currently, Study Abroad has been allocated $120,000 in scholarships to provide incentives to get students to travel the world to study. Visit the OSU home page for the full article. To learn more about the Study Abroad Office, please visit its website.

SIS Student Athlete Ryan Vail Receives NCAA Division I Academic Honors

2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM

Ryan Vail, School of International Studies graduate student from Gresham, Oregon, was just named to the NCAA Division I All-Academic team for men’s Cross Country. In addition to Ryan, the entire OSU men’s and women’s teams are being recognized as 2007 NCAA Division I All-Academic teams. Ryan began the Graduate Program this spring and anticipates completing his master’s degree in May of 2009 with a focus area in International Business and Economic Relations. For more information about the sports teams’ honors please visit the OSU Cross Country homepage.

SIS’s Study Abroad Office Garners Front Page News on the OSU Website

2/26/2008 12:00:00 AM

Students from the School of International Studies Enjoy a Country/Western Cultural Night

2/7/2008 12:00:00 AM

Approximately fifty students in SIS’s Graduate Program came to the Wes Watkins Center Thursday Feb 7th to participate in a Country/Western Cultural Night dinner. The School’s Student Association of Global Affairs (SAGA) and its advisor Kathleen Kelsey cooked steak dinners for all of the attendees for a low cost per plate. Once everyone was “stuffed to the hilt,” they were given the opportunity to burn off the calories! Lance and Hanna, who teach Country/Western Dance Lessons at the Colvin Center, were on hand to give everyone lessons on the Polka and Two-Step dances. SAGA hosts a cultural dinner every month, featuring different foods and cultural experiences from around the world. They provide the food, typically around $5 per plate, so all people have to do is sign up! For upcoming cultural dinners, you can go to the OSU International Gateway Page’s Upcoming Events Section, or contact Janet Herren at janet.herren@okstate.edu.

Students from the School of International Studies Attend Event Featuring Vicente Fox, Former President of Mexico

2/5/2008 12:00:00 AM

Twenty students in the SIS Graduate Program took time from their busy schedules to travel to Oklahoma City to hear Vicente Fox, former President of Mexico, Tuesday, February 5th. Fox was the speaker for OSU's Spears School of Business' Oklahoma City Management Briefing Series. Fox also spoke for the Spears School's Tulsa Business Forum Series in the afternoon. The School of International Studies helped sponsor each of the events. In addition to speaking, Mr. Fox was also inducted as the 17th Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellow for the School of International Studies.

OSU’s College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources Returns from Mali Completing the MOU with OSU

12/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

CASNR representatives recently returned from Mali after a two week stay for the third and final phase of the grant with the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The focus of their trip was to meet specifically with the participants who spent five weeks in Oklahoma during the grant's second phase. This is the follow-up activity to continue to assist these media professionals in their professional growth and development. While in Mali, Drs. Dwayne Cartmell, Cindy Blackwell, Craig Edwards and Ed Miller completed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at the University of Bamako. A delegation from Mali was at OSU in September to begin the MOU signing process. The group on this recent trip to Mali also included Dustin Mielke, Oklahoma Farm Bureau; Rachel Hubbard, KOSU; Dr. Jim Hynes, Sam Houston State University; and Dr. Marty Frick, South Dakota State University. The time in Mali also included visits to agricultural regions of the country and to Tombouctou (Timbuktu). The group returned to Stillwater December 13.

School of International Studies’ Master’s Student Recognized as “National President of the Year”

12/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

School of International Studies’ master’s student Chris Wright was recently named “National President of the Year” by the National Association for Graduate & Professional Students (NAGPS) based on his level of commitment and achievement in advancing graduate student issues both on the national and local level. Wright beat out other graduate student association presidents from Notre Dame, Auburn, Colorado, and Carnegie Melon for the honor. During his administration, he has made numerous improvements in OSU’s GPSGA (Graduate & Professional Student Government Association) including updating the listserv, hosting a graduate student Welcome which over 200 students enjoyed, and developing the “President’s Council,” which consists of all the graduate student association presidents, to provide a stronger response to graduate student needs. At the national conference, Wright was also recognized for developing “28 Steps to a Grad Student Government that Works,” and for his effort to determine the value of graduate students to a university by instituting an economic impact study with assessment. Last March, Wright was also successful in bidding for OSU to be the site for the NAGPS regional conference. OSU will hold the conference March 28-29, 2008. Wright began his master’s program in the School of International Studies in fall 2006 and plans to complete his degree in summer 2008. His Focus Area of study is International Business & Economic Relations. For more information about OSU’s GPSGA please visit their website.

The School of International Studies Inducts Three into Its Bennett Fellows Program

12/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

Friday, December 14th, in celebration of Dr. Henry G. Bennett’s birthday, the School of International Studies proudly inducted three members into its Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellows Program during its graduation ceremony in OSU’s Wes Watkins Center. These individuals’ lives are integrated into Dr. Bennett’s international legacy – Dr. Robert L. Sandmeyer (former Dean (1977-94), OSU College of Business) who was instrumental in establishing OSU’s School of International Studies; Mr Paul W. Bass (author of Bennett biography “No Little Dreams”) who has compiled information about Dr. Bennett’s life, introducing him to today’s generation, and; Judge Thomas E. Bennett (Dr. Bennett’s only living child) who is the patriarch and spokesman for Dr. Bennett’s family. This brings the total number of Bennett Fellows to 15. Please visit the Bennett Fellows Program website for more information.

The School of International Studies Holds Its 13th Graduation Ceremony to Honor Its Fall 2007 Graduates

12/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

Friday, December 14th, the School of International Studies hosted its 13th graduation ceremony. During the ceremony eighteen graduates were presented with their Master’s hoods and one was presented with her Certificate in International Studies. To date, this brings the total of SIS alumni to 173. For pictures of the graduates, see our December Newsletter. For pictures of the graduation ceremony, visit the Party Pix Website where you may even purchase pictures of the event.

Students from the School of International Studies Host Events to Kick Off International Human Rights Month

12/3/2007 12:00:00 AM

A group of International Studies students, led by MIP student Robin Eleazer, hosted events at the Wes Watkins Center to kick off International Human Rights Month. On December 2nd, the community was invited to watch “Born into Brothels”, a movie exploring the lives of children in India’s prostitute district. On December 3rd, Adriana Portillo-Bartow of Amnesty International gave a lecture about the plight of the disappeared, including several members of her immediate family, in Guatemala. After the lecture, the students held a candlelight vigil where the International Choir performed and Bill Bryant of Oklahoma City’s United Nations Association spoke. Finally, posters depicting human rights issues around the world were put together to display for the month of December in the Wes Watkins Center.

SIS, In Conjunction with OSU’s College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, Hosts an MOU Signing Ceremony

11/29/2007 12:00:00 AM

On November 29th, the School of International Studies, in conjunction with OSU’s College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, hosted an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signing ceremony for MOI University of Kenya and OSU. The Vice Chancellor (equivalent of our CEO and President) of MOI University, Dr Richard Mibey, is both a Master’s and PhD alumnus of OSU’s College of Agriculture. He and OSU hope the agreement will help to establish an exchange of professors and students between OSU and MOI University (the 2nd largest university in Kenya). For more information about MOI University visit their website.

The School of International Studies Hosts Chinese Chamber of Commerce Delegations from Gansu and Liaoning Provinces

11/14/2007 12:00:00 AM

On November 14th, the School of International Studies welcomed 16 Chamber of Commerce delegates from China’s Gansu and Liaoning provinces to the OSU campus. The State Chamber of Oklahoma has Sister-Chamber relationships with both provinces. The Chinese delegations were here to visit Oklahoma and partake in the state’s centennial celebrations. OSU was the first stop on the delegation’s three day tour that also includes visits to OU and Shawnee, as well as, of course, Oklahoma City. At OSU, the visitors began their day with a reception by Dr Marlene Strathe, Interim CEO and President, OSU System and a surprise appearance by Pistol Pete, OSU’s legendary mascot. Next, they were given a presentation about OSU’s research and outreach efforts by Dr Stephen McKeever (OSU Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer) and Mark Weiser (Associate Dean, OSU Spears School of Business). Finally, after a brief walking tour of the campus that included a group picture in OSU’s Centennial Gardens, the group was given a luncheon in their honor at the Wes Watkins Center. The School of International Studies was excited to be a part of the guests’ packed, whirlwind tour of Oklahoma.

OSU’s Phi Beta Delta Chapter Inducts 20 New Members

11/14/2007 12:00:00 AM

OSU’s chapter of the Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society inducted 18 new members and 2 honorary members into its chapter November 14th in the Wes Watkins Center. This year’s keynote speaker was Dr Patricia Rayas Duarté, Phi Beta Delta member and director of the Cereal Chemistry lab at OSU’s Robert S. Kerr Food Agriculture Products Center. Rayas Duarté spoke about “Making a World of Difference, One Student at a Time.”

Phi Beta Delta, nationally established in 1987, is the first honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education. Undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff are eligible for membership. OSU’s Epsilon Upsilon Chapter, which was chartered in 2003, is overseen within the School of International Studies by Study Abroad Coordinator Gerry Auel and is chaired this year by Dr Dale Lightfoot, professor in OSU’s Geography Department. Membership in OSU’s chapter before the 14th was 142 members and 20 honorary members. Eight of those inducted on the 14th are graduate students in the SIS graduate program. For more information about Phi Beta Delta please visit their website.

SIS, in Conjunction with OSU’s College of Education, Hosted the 3rd Annual International Fair for Children

10/25/2007 12:00:00 AM

The School of International Studies & OSU’s College of Education welcomed more than 400 area 4th graders to the Wes Watkins Center October 25th for the 3rd Annual International Fair for Children. International students at OSU, including several from SIS’s English Language Institute and Graduate Program, teamed with students from the College of Education to give the children a tour of the world during their visit and receive a stamp on their “passports” after “visiting” a selection of the 27 countries represented. The children learned about each country’s history or culture and did typical activities or projects that children their same age would do in each of the countries. In its third year, the Fair is becoming a greater and greater success. This was the second year that the Fair was funded through a grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Minority Teacher Recruitment Center. Principals and teachers were thrilled with the level of cultural experience their students were receiving at this young and impressionable age. For more information on how to become involved in next year’s Fair, contact either SIS’s Daniel Darnell at 405.744.6607 or daniel.darnell@okstate.edu or The College of Education’s Candace Thrasher at 405.744.8935 or Candace.lebow@okstate.edu.

SIS in Conjunction with OSU’s College of Agriculture Sciences & Natural Resources Holds an Iraq Global Briefing

10/10/2007 12:00:00 AM

On October 11th, the School of International Studies with Dr. David Henneberry of OSU’s College of Agriculture Sciences & Natural Resources welcomed Colonel R. Alan King to discuss the US effort in Iraq. Col. King served 16 months in Iraq with the U.S. Army, first as a Civil Affairs battalion commander, then later as a deputy director of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad. He was the top civil-military adviser in Baghdad when the previous Iraqi regime fell. Under King’s command, his unit became the most decorated Civil Affairs battalion is US Army history. King currently serves with the Reserves in working with the Iraqi tribal leaders. Close to 300 students, faculty, and community members filled the Wes Watkins Center auditorium to hear this unique speaker’s insights into the situation in Iraq. His presentation and delivery captured the attention and awe of those in attendance. Col King is the author of “Twice Armed: An American Soldier’s Battle for Hearts and Minds in Iraq.” For more information about Col King and his book, click here…

SIS Joins the OSU Alumni Association in Hosting Distinguished OSU Alumnus Dr Teravuti Boonyasopon of Thailand

9/22/2007 12:00:00 AM

Close friend to the School of International Studies, Dr Teravuti Boonyasopon was inducted into the OSU Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame, September 22nd. While at OSU, SIS’s Interim Associate Director, Dr Steve Miller, hosted Dr Boonyasopon. IEO Director, Dr James Hromas, and Dr Miller have taken several trips to Thailand to foster OSU’s relationship with Thailand and specifically with Dr Boonyasopon. In January, Dr Hromas had the rare privilege, after presenting an OSU plate to the princess of Thailand, to shake the princess’s hand. In the past year, Dr Boonyasopon’s daughter Ink has worked to develop an OSU-Thai webpage (ieo.okstate.edu/thai) to recruit more students from Thailand as well as maintain contact with the many OSU Thai alumni. Interestingly, at one time, three university presidents in Thailand were OSU Alumni.

SIS Hosts Appreciation Luncheon to Recognize Recent Donation of Ethiopian Artifacts

9/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

The School of International Studies held an appreciation luncheon September 20th to recognize the recent contribution of Ethiopian artifacts. Ms. Lou Ann Skinner and Mrs. Vera Preston-Jaeger have given items to SIS to be displayed in the cabinet outside the Wes Watkins Center’s Point Four Room that commemorates OSU’s ties with Ethiopia. Skinner’s father Ralph Skinner was one of original members of the OSU-Ethiopia Project. Preston-Jaeger’s grandfather Henry G. Bennett was the legendary OSU president appointed by US President Harry S. Truman to head Truman's new national Point Four Program. One of Point Four’s (now USAID) first projects was the contribution of OSU faculty members to help the developing nation of Ethiopia from 1952-68 in establishing a land grant agricultural education system similar to OSU’s. Those is attendance at the luncheon included Former US Congressman Wes Watkins and his wife, Lou, the current Chair of the OSU Board of Regents; Don Wagner, the last active OSU faculty member who was part of the OSU-Ethiopia project, Conrad & Joy Evans, SIS Bennett Fellows and OSU-Ethiopia Project members, and Paul Bass, who recently wrote a biography of Henry G. Bennett entitled No Little Dreams.

SIS Joins the Department of Agriculture Sciences & Natural Resources to Host an MOU Signing Between OSU and the University of Bamako of Mali, Africa

9/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

The School of International Studies joined the Department of Agriculture Sciences & Natural Resources (DASNR) on September 17th to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between OSU and the University of Bamako of Mali, Africa. The agreement stems from a project awarded to DASNR by the US Department of State to help Malian journalists “understand, acquire, and practice professional standards in their work”. Trips between and OSU and Mali were made to Mali in March and to the US in July. The School of International Studies is housed in the Wes Watkins Center, which provides the perfect venue for such agreements to be signed. The Watkins Center’s Point IV Room is dedicated to the efforts of OSU’s legendary president Henry G. Bennett who led US President Harry S. Truman’s Point IV initiative (now USAID) which sought to establish relationships between US and foreign universities to share the US’s knowledge. The Point IV Room was the venue for Monday’s signing. For more information about DASNR’s efforts with Mali, click here...

Mexico Liaison Office Celebrates One Year and Hosts Celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day

9/14/2007 12:00:00 AM

On Friday, September 14th, OSU’s OSU - Mexico Liaison Office celebrated its one year anniversary as well as celebrated Mexico’s Independence Day. José Sagarnaga, the manager of the office, visiting Stillwater for meetings, hosted the evening’s festivities. Approximately 100 people from the university and community were on hand for the celebrations. In addition, university officials from Chihuahua Mexico’s campus of Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), who were visiting with OSU faculty and the School of International Studies about an exchange program next summer, attended the party. Mr. Sagarnaga and the graduate students assisting him were extremely pleased with the positive turnout. For more information about the OSU-Mexico Liaison Office click here…

The School of International Studies Welcomes Students from Kyoto Japan

9/12/2007 12:00:00 AM

On September 12th, the School of International Studies joined with Oklahoma’s Secretary of State’s office in hosting a delegation of students from Kyoto, Japan. The students were here to visit Oklahoma, which has a sister state relationship with Kyoto. Stillwater has a sister city relationship with Kameoka, Japan, which is in the Kyoto prefecture. While on the Stillwater part of their state visit, the students toured the OSU campus, met and discussed world issues with students in SIS, and visited with members of Stillwater’s Sister City Council. In previous years, Oklahoma former Lieutenant Governor and current US Congresswoman Mary Fallin has taken a delegation of students, including several SIS students, to Japan to visit the Kyoto prefecture. This was the first year that a delegation from Kyoto came to Oklahoma.

B. Curtis Hamm Becomes an SIS Ambassador

9/5/2007 12:00:00 AM

B. Curtis Hamm, OSU Professor Emeritus of Marketing, became an Ambassador for the School of International Studies earlier this fall for his financial contribution to the school. Ambassadors for the School are designated as those individuals who contribute $1000 or more per year to the School. The School will hold its first annual meeting of The Ambassadors on December 14th in conjunction with the SIS Fall Graduation Ceremony. For more information about the Ambassador Program or to become an Ambassador for the School, you can contact Jim Shideler at 405.744.4804 or jim.shideler@okstate.edu.

The Peace Corps’ Master’s International Program in the School of International Studies Marks Its National 20th Anniversary

8/29/2007 12:00:00 AM

On August 29th, the School of International Studies hosted a reception for Sharon Sugarek of the Peace Corps’ regional office in Dallas. Sugarek came to OSU to present the Master’s International Program in SIS with a certificate commemorating the MI Program’s 20th anniversary, nationally. Three years ago, the School of International Studies added the Master’s International Program as a component of its graduate program. In the MI Program, students enroll in a year of coursework in International Studies and then do their two-year service in the Peace Corps. Upon completion of their Peace Corps service, students receive their Master’s degree. Since it began as a part of SIS, 22 students have entered the program. Currently, three have completed the program, ten are on their Peace Corps assignment, and nine are enrolled in their coursework in International Studies. The internationally diverse environment of SIS gives students wanting to go into the Peace Corps a real world, global experience before they go into the field. OSU’s Graduate College has been instrumental in the success of the MI Program in SIS because of the financial incentives it provides for out-of-state students. Currently, the nine MI students in the program are from states as far reaching as Alaska, New York, Georgia, and California. For more information about the MI Program, click here…