Inauguration an International Affair
Dr. Nguyen Trong Do, rector, Vietnam National University—International School, Hanoi.
The inauguration of Dr. Jorge L. Díaz-Herrera as Keuka College’s 19th president May 4 was truly an international affair.
Delegates and guests from a number of foreign countries traveled to Keuka Park for the ceremony including Madame Hiam Sakr, president of the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Beirut, Lebanon.
“I was honored that Madame Sakr and Dr. Nabeel Haidar, vice president for academic affairs at AUST, joined us for the celebration,” said Díaz-Herrera. “I am particularly pleased to have the pleasure of welcoming Madame president to Keuka Park and the Lucina, where she was the guest of honor at a small, family-oriented reception. In a short time, I have developed a real affinity for her school and Lebanon; quite simply, Beirut is a most enchanting place.” (more…)
A Less Taxing Experience
Associate Professor of Accounting Rita Gow helps Yang Liu, a resident of Bengbu, China, prepare and file his income tax.
April 17 was a day many Americans circled on their calendars.
And not because they were looking forward to it.
April 17 was tax day.
“Imagine how most people feel about doing their own tax returns,” said Rita Gow, associate professor of accounting. “Now, imagine if you are a student from China, Vietnam, or South Africa and totally unfamiliar with the American tax structure or not familiar with the concept of taxing your income.”
A daunting task to be sure—unless you were one of the nine international students attending Keuka College who, thanks to a collaboration between Gow, the Center for Global Education, and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, didn’t have to sweat April 17. (more…)
Alicia Pakusch a “Tremendous Asset” to Two Divisions
By Amanda Harrison ’12
Editor’s Note: This is the sixth of six profiles of nominees for the 2012 Student Employee of the Year award that will be presented at the Annual Student Employment Awards Luncheon April 16.
Alicia Pakusch, a senior adolescent education major, has received numerous awards and recognitions during her four years at Keuka.
Now, she’s being nominated for another: Student Employee of the Year.
Pakusch, who works for the education and social work divisions, was nominated for the award by her supervisor, Paulette Willemsen, secretary in the education division.
According to Willemsen, Pakusch is “a tremendous asset to the education and social work divisons,” and said she is “dependable, reliable, hard-working, and [comes] to work on time and with a positive attitude. She has excellent communication skills, is extremely organized, reliable, and computer literate.” (more…)
Thinking Globally, Working Locally
Hien Pham may be a Vietnamese student studying for a degree at an American college, but she’s taking advantage of every opportunity afforded her to pave the way to a future job. At Keuka College one of those opportunities is Field Period, the 140-hour internship in real-world workplaces that each Keuka undergraduate conducts each year.
Pham hails from Hue City, Vietnam, and studied at Vietnam National University (ISVNU) in Hanoi, a partner school to Keuka, before transferring to the home campus in Keuka Park last year. With a business management major and a communications minor, the senior put multiple skills to use in January for Action for Boston Community Development Inc. (ABCD), a non-profit agency that provides a range of services to low-income families, including minorities and internationals.
During her four weeks at the Dorchester City neighborhood branch, Pham used her graphic design skills to create a four-page branch newsletter, which showcases numerous programs and offerings for the many Asian and African-American families served by ABCD. She also drew and painted a large banner of Rosa Parks’ bus to hang on a center wall for children to add names of famous Black Americans during Black History Month in February.
Pham's front-page design.
Up Next: The Middle East
Keuka College is a major educational player in the Pacific Rim.
With nearly 3,000 Chinese students pursuing degrees at four partner universities in China, Keuka boasts the largest enrollment of any American college or university operating in that country. Some 475 Vietnamese students are doing likewise at two universities in Vietnam, and the College has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Universiti Utara Malaysia with an eye toward making a Keuka degree available to students in that country.
Now comes word that the College is looking to extend its educational influence to the Middle East. Keuka President Dr. Jorge L. Díaz-Herrera and Madame Hiam Sakr, president of the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Beirut, Lebanon, recently signed a MOU that could lead to collaboration between the two schools
In this interview, Dr. Gary Smith, vice president for professional studies and international programs, explains that the College is looking to start a program at AUST as early as this fall. He also discusses other international aspirations as well as the success of the Accelerated Studies for Adults Program (ASAP).
Listen to the Show
Part 1
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Part 2
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Part 3
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
About Keuka College Today
Keuka College Today airs the fourth Thursday of every month from 8:30 – 9 a.m. on WFLR (1570 AM and 96.9 FM).
Hanoi Students Join Alumni Ranks
Nineteen Vietnamese students joined the Keuka College alumni ranks as the College held its first graduation ceremony at Vietnam National University (VNU) in Hanoi Sunday, Dec 18.
The graduation was held at the Fortuna Hotel in Hanoi and was attended by top officials from VNU and its International School, including Vice President Nguyen Huu Duc, Rector Professor Do, and Vice Rector Dr. Tu. Keuka President Dr. Jorge Díaz-Herrera and Vice President for the Center for Professional Studies and International Programs Dr. Gary Smith also took part in the ceremony.
“I am honored to preside at this ceremony that recognizes in formal spirit the educational accomplishment and personal growth of students who have completed, in partnership with the International School at VNU, Keuka College’s Bachelor of Science degree in management,” said Díaz-Herrera. (more…)
Collaboration with Malaysian University Taking Shape
During his recent trip to Malaysia, Dr. Gary Smith met with various UUM administrators, including Prof. Dato' Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, vice chancellor of the university.
A year after the start of preliminary talks and six months after the schools signed a memorandum of understanding, a collaboration between Keuka College and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is taking shape.
After a recent visit to Malaysia, Vice President for the Center of Professional Studies Dr. Gary Smith confirmed that three marketing students from UUM will enroll at Keuka College for the 2012 spring semester. (more…)
International Education Week Nov. 7-11
Phan Ton Tinh Hai, master chef and director of the Mint Culinary School in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, poses with students after her culinary demonstration Nov. 7.
Keuka College will celebrate International Education Week (Nov. 7-11) with a variety of events.
Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Center for Global Education, International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. The week also promotes programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.
All International Education Week events at Keuka College are free and open to the public.
“We talk about what international education means at Keuka College because we are becoming more international, and we want our students to be knowledgeable about other cultures,” said Chevy DeVaney, director of multicultural affairs. “International Education Week is a good opportunity to get students, faculty, and staff excited about who we are and what makes up Keuka College.”
International Student Adviser Tracee Senti agrees.
“International Education Week celebrates the diversity we have at Keuka, and provides an opportunity for all Keuka students, staff, and faculty to share the things in which we are involved,” she said. “The campus and community will learn more about the countries our international students represent, which can help create an understanding of different cultures.”
Among the events to mark the week at Keuka includes a special program of Vietnamese performing arts featuring master artists. The performance, co-sponsored with Hobart and William Smith Colleges, will highlight folk songs, traditional and tribal music, poetry chant, musical theater, comedy, films, traditional and contemporary costumes, and culinary demonstration.
To kick off International Education Week, the Vietnamese group will be on campus Monday, Nov. 7 to showcase a culinary and vegetable decoration display at 2:30 p.m., and a traditional concert and theatrical performance at 4 p.m. Both events will be held in the Brezinsky Room of the Geiser Refectory.
Under the direction of Dr. Phong Nguyen, one of the most prominent Vietnamese scholars and musicians, and a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, the group features artists who have participated in national and international stages and television systems.
In addition to Nguyen, the group includes Professor Hoang Chuong (a top expert on Vietnamese traditional theater forms), Ms. Kieu Oanh (merited actress and folk singer), Ms. Tuyet Hoa (a well-known singer of Hanoi minstrel songs), Master Chef Tinh Hai (an expert on Vietnam’s imperial cuisine), Mr. Tommy Nguyen (a designer of Saigon traditional dresses—ao dai), and Mr. Dinh Khiem (a film and television critic).
The group will return to campus Tuesday, Nov. 8 for a fashion and theatrical makeup show from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Phillips Lounge of Dahlstrom Student Center. According to DeVaney, eight students will model traditional Vietnamese clothing.
Other International Education Week events at Keuka include:
- Wednesday, Nov. 9: Heritage fashion show and international cuisine; donate a canned good item for the Let’s Can Hunger Challenge, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Brezinsky Room, Geiser Refectory. According to DeVaney, the fashion show will be multiracial and multicultural, and the food will highlight several countries flavors. The Let’s Can Hunger Challenge, sponsored by Campbell Soup Co. and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), is a comprehensive hunger challenge that translates hunger awareness to action in the form of canned good donations. All of the canned goods collected will be donated to Milly’s Pantry in Penn Yan.
- Thursday, Nov. 10: International arts and crafts show including Mendi (Henna tattoos), bracelet making, origami, and calligraphy, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Phillip’s Lounge, Dahlstrom Student Center. According to Sentee, several Chinese students will be on hand to discuss the importance of calligraphy in their country. Also, students from Vietnam will have traditional crafts for sale.
- Thursday, Nov. 10: Postcards from Peru, Morocco, South Africa, and Lebanon, presented by Keuka students Melissa Sheridan, Sini Ngobese, and Aline Nasreddine, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Brezinsky Room, Geiser Refectory. Sheridan will discuss her experiences in Peru and Morocco, while Ngobese (South Africa) and Nasreddine (Lebanon), will discuss their cultures. In addition, the Keuka College Belly Dancing Club will perform. Donate a canned good item for the Let’s Can Hunger Challenge.
- Friday, Nov. 11: Hot dog eating contest. Sign-ups in the Geiser Refectory at 5:30 p.m. with the competition beginning at 6 p.m. The contest is open to all and prizes for first, second, and third places will be awarded.
Check out photos from the week.
Meet New Faculty: Patricia Speers
Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of profiles on new, full-time faculty members.
Patricia Speers can relate to the international students in her classes. English isn’t her native tongue either.
A French-speaking native of Belgium, Speers has taught ESL (English as a Second Language) to international students from China and Vietnam since early July, when Keuka’s first ESL Summer Institute program launched. The Institute was developed to better prepare undergraduate and graduate students entering Keuka’s international business programs to adjust to differences in the language and academic culture of an American classroom.
“I’m a language teacher. I tend to bring everything back to language, because what the international students are challenged with is language. That’s what causes communication problems or challenges in the classroom,” she explained.
Moving Mountains By Climbing One
Like most people, Troy Cusson, instructional design manager in Keuka’s Center for Professional Studies, knows someone who has faced the challenges that a cancer diagnosis can bring.
He has seen friends and relatives fight with every last ounce of energy in an effort to defeat the disease. Some succeeded. Others have not.
Cusson found a way to fight alongside those facing the ultimate challenge. He decided to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro – the tallest free-standing mountain on earth – as part of a February 2013 expedition known as “Journeys of Inspiration” that raises awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. The Journeys of Inspiration program provides access to professional training, an unparalleled community of support, and inspiration. Through it, the American Cancer Society helps striving athletes achieve their personal goal of climbing a mountain and changing the course of cancer forever. The victories change athletes’ lives, but the finish line is just the beginning.
Recent Comments