USF INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Summer 2007
Welcoming The World
Features
Message from the Dean Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Message from the Dean..........2
International Week...................2
Honorary Doctorate................3
Sash Ceremony.........................3
Welcoming the World..........4-5
Athletics....................................6
Engineering Solutions.............7
Welcome to USF—Welcome to the World! USF is proud to have among its student body nearly 1,400 students from over 130 countries. Our summer 2007 International Newsletter celebrates the multiple and varied contributions of our international students to campus life. International students are an integral part of every facet of USF—from its academic programs including participation in cutting-edge research to community engagement and athletic achievement. Listen to the voices of students from our top five countries—India, Colombia, China, Belize and Canada—and you will understand why USF is a destination of choice for a select group of students. USF offers exceptional scholastic opportunities along with an inviting academic environment. Each of the students interviewed identified a professor that has supported their research and thus contributed to their learning and living experiences at USF and in the United States. USF welcomes and embraces the valuable contributions and perspectives that our international students bring to campus. We look forward to even larger numbers of international students joining the green and gold family!
Lost Boys of Sudan.................8
Dr. María Crummett Dean of International Affairs
Inter national Week Celebration On April 17, 2007, International Services, the English Language Institute, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office sponsored the annual International Parade and festivities during International Week. The parade began outside Cooper Hall and was led by the USF band to the MLK Plaza. The event also included cultural foods, dances, and music. The celebration was highly attended, with over forty countries represented. Due to the popularity of the event, plans for the 2008 celebration will include representation from additional countries and cultural festivities.
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Secretary General José Miguel Insulza Receives an Honorary Doctorate
From left to right: Trustee Rhea Law, Dr. José Miguel Insulza, President Judy Genshaft and Vice Provost Ralph Wilcox On Friday, May 7, 2007 the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, José Miguel Insulza, received an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of South Florida. The degree recognizes his efforts to promote peace, prosperity and democracy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. His leadership of the organization brings together 34 nations in the Western Hemisphere. During the university’s commencement ceremony in Tampa, Secretary General Insulza spoke to the Class of 2007. His address focused on the policies of cooperation and mutual understanding between
the Americas, stating “our cultures, economies and ways of life become more related as the ever-growing process of trade, communications and migration push us closer together.” Dr. Jorge Nef, Director of the USF Institute for the Study of Latin America and the Caribbean said, “José Miguel Insulza represents the best in the tradition of the scholar-statesman in the region and a new look in the regional diplomacy of peace and development”. Dr. María Crummett, Dean of International Affairs hosted a reception honoring the Secretary General at the USF Contemporary Art Museum. She praised Dr. Insulza’s accomplishments, stating that his “policies for the Americas represent a new era in the region where dialogue and cooperation, with an emphasis on democracy, social integration, human rights and security, are integral components of economic growth.” Photo taken during the reception held at the Contemporary Art Museum: From left to right: Dr. María Crummett, Dr. José Miguel Insulza, Dr. Kofi Glover and Dr. Ralph Wilcox
Spring 2007 Sash Ceremony International Affairs proudly presented the Spring 2007 international student graduates with their graduation sashes on Thursday, May 3. The event was organized by International Services and took place in the USF TECO room. International students from 45 countries participated in a ceremony that honored the completion of their degree program. Dr. María Crummett, Dean of International Affairs and Marcia Taylor, Director of International Services, spoke during the ceremony and presented each student with a sash that represents their home country. Many of the graduates’ families attended the event and visited the University of South Florida for the first time. The sash ceremony gives faculty and staff the opportunity to formally congratulate all the graduating international students.
International students from India pose for a photo after receiving their graduation sashes.
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Welcoming the World USF is honored to be the host university for international students, visiting scholars, dignitaries and international guests. Currently USF is represented by students from over 130 countries spanning the globe, each adding new insight and perspective to the learning experience. As a major research university located in the port city of Tampa, USF serves a culturally and linguistically diverse metropolitan area. USF recognizes that rapid globalization continues to transform virtually every professional field. The university is committed to providing students and faculty with cultural and social experiences that bring awareness to our rich diversity. The following countries are the top five represented at USF: India, Colombia, China, Belieze and Canada. Below, international student representatives from each country share their experiences at USF.
“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” Jimmy Carter
India
Sruthi Gopalakrishnan Kannur, Kerala, India MBA student
“I chose USF because it is a very reputable college in the Tampa Bay area. I have always aspired for a leadership position throughout my career path. My past experience with GE as an IMLP engineer (Information USF Indian Student Management Leadership Program) gave me ideas about Population: 223 the qualities required to be a leader. Hence I chose to pursue my MBA at USF and have decided to focus on finance. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Nathan Stuart who taught managerial accounting during Spring 2007. I have never learned so much in any other class. He made sure that the concepts were deeply rooted in our minds. The assignments, quizzes and in-class activities were all very beneficial.”
César Guerrero
Colombia
Bucaramanga, Colombia Fulbright Scholar - Ph.D. Computer Science
“USF is a place full of opportunities. No matter what your main motivation is at USF, you will have the chance to be involved in well designed and supported programs, activities, and job opportunities. The University is cataloged as a research university and is one of the largest universities in the U.S. That means that you will find a vast cultural and academic diversity of opportunities to improve your research, teaching, and professional skills in a global manner. As an international student, far from home, my wife, Marcela Peralta, and I have had the fortune to meet people like my advisor, Dr. Miguel Labrador, USF Colombian Student and our International Affairs friends who have bePopulation: 112 come like a second family for us.”
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China
Bo Jiang Tianmen, Hubei Province, China Ph.D. student - Chemistry
“I chose USF because it has an excellent Ph.D. program in Chemical Education. Currently, I’m working on a project regarding two tests of formal reasoning and USF Chinese Student their applications in college chemistry Population: 101 teaching. I feel that my current advisor, Dr. Jennifer Lewis, is an outstanding researcher with interesting research projects that suit my career goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at USF. It is a fast-growing research university that offers unique academic, cultural and social opportunities. The culturally diverse student population has added to my learning experience and the Tampa Bay area has many festivals and events to offer year round.”
Gina Longsworth Belize City, Belize Civil Engineering Major
Belize
“I have really enjoyed my experience at USF. There is a good network of support for difficult classes, including tutoring and help with assignments. I have also enjoyed learning from my professors. Dr. Karim Nohra is a statics professor who has challenged me and taught me a great deal. I came to USF because there are good scholarship opportunities, I received the LACS scholarship. Also, many of my credits from St. Johns University were accepted for my program.” USF Belizean Student Population: 52
Canada
Tovah Yanover Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Ph.D. student - Clinical Psychology
“At USF I have the opportunity to study with a wonderful, renowned professor in the area of body image and eating disorders. I truly enjoy being a member USF Canadian Student of the Body Image Research Group and working with Population: 51 the other lab members on a variety of projects. Dr. J. Kevin Thompson [professor in the Department of Psychology] is also very supportive of his students and takes the time to make sure that they achieve their goals while in school. I was also very grateful to receive the Presidential Doctoral Fellowship to complete my studies here. Being an international student, I am so grateful to have the opportunity to complete my studies without having to accrue debt at the same time.”
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International Athletes: The Name of the Game
Aya Nakajima, Softball Fukushima, Japan Management
The USF Women’s Tennis Team
Kristina Fabris, Volleyball Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Education
Mahmoud Hamed, Tennis Cairo, Egypt Business Administration
“Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.” George F. Will Columnist for the Washington Post
Intercollegiate Athletics are a vital part of USF. The Athletic department’s mission is to sponsor a diverse and nationally competitive Division I program. USF is a member of the BIG EAST, which has been the nation’s largest Division I-A conference for the past two years. International student athletes add a crucial dimension to USF athletics and have had impressive performances within the conference. During the Spring Semester of 2007 the women’s tennis team, which has international players from Sweden, Mexico, India, The Bahamas, and El Salvador, won the first ever BIG EAST Championship for USF in any sport. Currently, the university is represented by over 45 international student athletes from around the globe, participating in nearly every sport. The USF Athletics department expects a continual increase of international student participation and continues to strive to increase diversity and global perspectives on and off the field.
GO BULLS!
Yohance Marshall, Soccer Port of Spain, Trinidad Communication
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From left to right: Dr. Daniel Yeh, Ana Lucia Prieto (Colombia), Ana Garcia (Colombia), Seungryong Park (Korea), and Anh Do (Vietnam)
Engineering New Solutions The USF Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is focused on training students to be tomorrow’s leaders by defining and resolving civil infrastructure and environmental issues that confront the U.S. and the world. They are currently working on several international initiatives, including sending a number of students abroad to work on water purification and wastewater sanitation technologies. In July of 2007, a formal agreement with UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education in Delft, Netherlands, was signed and will allow USF and UNESCO-IHE to work on collaborative research efforts, faculty and student exchanges, and curriculum development. Dr. Daniel Yeh, Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering said, “USF is a very dynamic place. There are several new programs being launched, bringing many new opportunities and innovative ideas and attracting top students from around the world.” The USF College of Engineering is focused on the areas of environmental, nano, energy, wireless, and biomedical technology, among others. They also work collaboratively with the College of Public Health, Anthropology, the Patel Center, and other departments with a focus on giving graduates an international outlook. The College of Engineering supports a variety of international initiatives and student projects. Ana Lucia Prieto is an environmental USF International Affairs would like to engineering Ph.D. student who is currently working on collaborative know more about our international research with Stanford University and UNESCO-IHE on sustainable alumni and their accomplishments since water and sanitation technologies to help developing countries meet graduation. We will be featuring our alumni the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). After graduation, in future newsletters, so please send us she plans on returning to Colombia to join the Universidad del Norte information on your current and future in Barranquilla as a professor. Also working on technologies for the endeavors via email at: MDGs, Ana Garcia is a MS student developing sustainable membrane filtration processes. Anh Do is a Ph.D. student from Vietnam who is publicaffairs@iac.usf.edu. studying the use of membrane bioreactors for the removal of microor gilmer@iac.usf.edu pollutants from wastewater. Seungryong Park is an active Naval Officer from Korea who is studying the topic of biological hydrogen We look forward to hearing from you! production for his Ph.D.
Where are you now?
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Lost Boys of Sudan
International Affairs Directory Office of the Dean Dr. María Crummett Dean of International Affairs crummett@iac.usf.edu (813) 974-4090 Institute for the Study of Latin America & the Caribbean Dr. Jorge Nef, Director nef@iac.usf.edu (813) 974-3547 International Admissions Pat Pekovsky, Director pekovsky@iac.usf.edu (813) 974-8790 International Services Marcia Taylor, Director taylor@iac.usf.edu (813) 974-5102 Study Abroad Julie Hale & Jim Pulos Interim Co-Directors jhale@iac.usf.edu jpulos@iac.usf.edu (813) 974-4314 Peace Corps peacecorps@iac.usf.edu (813) 974-4579
During the Spring Semester of 2007, a group of nearly 400 students, faculty, and community members gathered in the College of Public Health Auditorium to view the Emmy-Nominated documentary Lost Boys of Sudan. Abraham Awolich along with a group of survivor refugees attended the event and shared their experiences in Sudan and the U.S. The documentary showed the extraordinary journey of several teenage Sudan refugees as they fled from Africa to America in search of freedom from persecution. The young men survived lion attacks and militia gunfire before they reached a refugee camp in Kenya. Shortly thereafter they were chosen to come to America. Finally safe from physical danger and hunger, and a world away from Africa, they find new challenges in America. The film was an eye opening experience for many USF students and gave the audience a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by refugees. After the film, Abraham Awolich shared his positive experiences while in the U.S. after coming from Sudan. Shortly after his arrival, he began a custodial job at the University of Vermont. In 2003, he enrolled as a student to study business and anthropology. Two years later, he graduated with his degree and now is the co-director of the New Sudan Education Initiative. The event was organized by the College of Public Health, The Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, USF Center for Civic Engagement & Volunteerism and International Affairs.
Fulbright Program Dean María Crummett crummett@iac.usf.edu (813) 974-4090
“Our mission is to create peace through education. If we give more people more skills, they can find jobs and they will not have time to take arms and be violent.” Abraham Awolich
Editorial Staff: María Crummett, Dean of International Affairs Amanda Gilmer, Communication & Marketing Officer, International Affairs Rachel Obenreder, Public Relations Assistant, International Affairs A special thanks to all contributors of photos and articles.
Please submit questions, comments, or articles to: International Affairs 4202 E. Fowler Ave., CPR107 Tampa, FL 33620 Tel (813) 974-4090 E-mail: publicaffairs@iac.usf.edu
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