A reception recognizing the Outstanding International Educator for 2010 and a panel discussion featuring current study abroad program directors providing information on preparing to lead a study abroad program will headline International Education Week 2010 at NIU.A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, International Education Week will be celebrated on campuses nationwide from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19.
“Each year, NIU mounts one of the broadest selections of events during this national observation, in order to highlight the many outstanding aspects of our global endeavor,” said Deborah Pierce, associate provost for International Programs. “This year’s theme, ‘Global NIYou,’ reflects the idea that individual students, faculty and staff make significant contributions to the global nature of this university.”
The annual International Recognition Reception will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center. The event is open to the public, and a light buffet lunch will be served.
At the reception, the Outstanding International Educator Award will be presented to an NIU faculty member who has contributed significantly to international education through his or her teaching, research, public service and student service.
International Programs also will honor the department that has made the most significant contribution to the internationalization effort across campus. In addition, the division will honor a student who has made an outstanding contribution to international education at NIU.
Virginia Cassidy and Gabriel Holbrook
Virginia Cassidy, vice provost for Academic Planning and Development, and Gabriel Holbrook, professor of biological sciences, will speak at the reception. Cassidy leads NIU’s program accreditation and review efforts, while Holbrook was named Outstanding International Educator in 2009.
Also on Nov. 15, the Study Abroad Office will offer a panel on “How to Lead a Study Abroad Program.” Experienced faculty leaders of programs abroad — including Jeff Chown of the Department of Communication, Alex Gelman of the School of Theatre and Dance, Eric Jones of the Department of History and Peter Magnusson of the Department of Marketing — will share their secrets of creating and organizing effective courses and opportunities in other countries.
“This is a great opportunity for any faculty member who’s ever wondered how to get started in study abroad,” said Anne Seitzinger, director of the Study Abroad Office. “Our experienced colleagues will provide both practical and experiential information during this panel.”
Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Delta, the Honor Society for International Scholars, is holding its seventh annual induction ceremony, by invitation only, on Thursday, Nov. 18.
NIU College of Business Dean Denise Schoenbachler will be inducted into the society and will speak about the many global efforts of the College of Business, while Professor Emeritus Clark Neher of the Department of Political Science will be initiated as an honorary member of the chapter.
In addition, Virginia Noe, founder of the DeKalb chapter of Bread for the World, and Larry Rosenberg, friend of International Programs from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will also be inducted as honorary members.
“Because international achievements can sometimes go unrecognized, honoring our students, colleagues and friends for excellence in global endeavors is vital. For that reason this induction is one of the real highlights of the week,” Pierce said.
Other activities include:
- an invitation-only luncheon to honor NIU faculty leaders of study abroad programs and Cobb Fellows, faculty who have been awarded financial support for special projects abroad;
- a workshop for students interested in the Student Fulbright Program;
- a workshop from Employee Assistance titled “Respect: Giving it and Receiving It” (registration required);
- and the weekly brown bag luncheon of the International Student & Faculty Office, featuring Kathleen Musker speaking about experiences in Ireland.
Programs geared especially for students include the International Student Reception on Tuesday Nov. 16, and the Study Abroad Reunion on Wednesday, Nov. 17.
The week will conclude with a joint presentation from International Programs and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies given by Jones. He will speak on “The Value of Study Abroad: Engaged Learning through Global Engagement” at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, in the Sky Room of Holmes Student Center. Light refreshments will be served.
A full schedule of events for International Education Week is available online.
