An International Tradition

Message from the Assistant Provost - November 22, 2005

November 22, 2005
 
 
Dear Colleagues and Students,
 
It is with gladness of heart that I report on Notre Dame’s second annual International Education Week (Nov. 14-18, 2005).  This event, sponsored by colleges and universities all around the country, was for us a week of reflection, debate, and hope.  As we work to make our campus a more welcoming place for people of diverse backgrounds and a haven for cross-cultural understanding, International Education Week has become an important milestone during our year. 
 
A major highlight was the visit to campus of Melinda Henneberger (ND’80), an alumna of our Angers program ('78) and now a prominent journalist for Newsweek.  In an intimate gathering with students and a gala luncheon with university leaders, she shared her signature sense of humor and related anecdotes from a career that has allowed her access to key figures in the US and world political scene.  She also demonstrated the wisdom of one who has risen from intern and small-town newshound to Rome bureau chief of the New York Times.  Her advice to students was simple: to succeed in any career, follow your passion.  If journalism is in your future, concentrate on your writing skills, but most any Arts and Letters major will do.  Economics, History, Literature, Political Science, Sociology: all provide useful and timely topics of study.  The main tip for young people is to seize opportunities when they arise, and to accept all challenges, even the most humble, as you gradually work toward long-term goals. 
 
Other highlights of International Education Week included:
- a lecture on careers in diplomacy and the US Foreign Service by Prof. James Creagan, former U.S. Ambassador and President emeritus of John Cabot University in Rome, Italy, currently distinguished visitor at the Kellogg Institute for Fall semester 2005;
- a panel discussion on the recent riots in France, "Why is France Burning?"  Sponsored by the Nanovic Institute, this event drew a standing-room-only crowd and generated heated debate among students and faculty;
- a dance performance by Asian Allure;
- a candelight vigil and fundraising dinner for Pakistan Earthquake Relief 
 
Also remarkable was the success of our Festival Sale of goods from the non-profit organization Ten Thousand Villages.  Our university owes a great debt to all the students who set up, planned, and oversaw this sale:  volunteers from the Center for Social Concerns, the Biology Club, the Kellogg Institute, the Office of International Studies, the Student International Business Council, and the International Student Services Association.  Thanks to you, and volunteers from the Mishawaka Ten Thousand Villages store, we were able to generate a profit of $10,132!  This entire amount will be returned to artisans in 32 developing countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
 
In closing, let us reflect on all the blessings we enjoy at this time of year, and remember the words of our first president, George Washington, from his 1789 Thanksgiving proclamation (presented on October 3, 1789):
 
“...we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.”
 
May our efforts at international education and service bring a bit more peace and justice into this world, and may we continue to work for better understanding among peoples, now and always.
 
Best wishes for a joyous Thanksgiving holiday!
 
Sincerely,
Julia Douthwaite
Assistant Provost for International Studies