IE&O News

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-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.

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-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 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…