Diplomatic Pouch

School of International Service, American University

SIS News – Spring 2008

SIS undergrad featured in summer theater
In his second professional play, SIS senior Vishal Vaidya plays the part of the swindler at the Olney Theatre's Big River, a musical version of Huckleberry Finn.

SIS debuts new precollege program
Thirteen high school students from Washington, Maryland, and Virginia spend part of their summer break at AU, taking courses as part of the School of International Service's new Community of Scholars program.

SIS Professor looks at China
Professor Judy Shapiro, one of the first Americans to teach in China, comments on China during the Olympics and after.

New nonprofit management degree launched
New AU program is the only interdisciplinary nonprofit management program in the Washington, D.C. area.

AU welcomes new provost
AU's new chief academic officer, Scott Bass, joins AU after 12 years at the University of Maryland–Baltimore County (UMBC), where he was vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate School.

New student orientation goes 'green'
Half a ton of paper is saved as New Student Orientation distributes information electronically.

SIS professor quoted
Robert Pastor talks to Toronto Star about Obama and U.S.-Canada relations

SIS professor Steve Silvia to chair AU Faculty Senate for 2008-09

Peacebuilding and Development Institute: Learning to craft a lasting peace
The summer institute is a time for peace builders to learn from leading scholars, practitioners, and each other during intensive day-long classes on a range of topics, from religion and culture to program design to women’s participation in the peace process.

Staff Appreciation Week: SIS staff honored with AU awards
During Staff Appreciation Week, the teamwork award went to an SIS group composed of Yasmin Quianzon, director of graduate admissions and financial aid; Jia Jiang, graduate admission specialist; Sonja Steinbrech, assistant director-graduate admissions; James Gilbert, coordinator-academic advisor; Mary Barton, academic advisor; Marley Crutcher, academic advisor; Jon Youngs, academic advisor; Emily Dunn, academic advisor; and Wahiba Farid, senior administrative assistant.

SIS undergrad research winner explores religious belief, globalization
Aldo Prosperi presents his working paper, "In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Globalization: Exploring Correlation Between Personal Religious Belief and Globalization."

SIS alum Traci Fenton discusses democratic business with Christian Science Monitor
Traci Fenton is the founder and CEO of WorldBlu, Inc., which publishes the annual WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces.

SIS professors Brenner, Gallaher win top AU honors
Philip Brenner was named Outstanding Teaching in a Full-Time Appointment; Carolyn Gallaher won the Morton Bender Prize. Fantu Cheru and Stephen Cohen were recognized on their retirements

SIS leads university in Presidential Management Fellows
American University had 36 Presidential Management Fellows (PMF), 15 of whom were from SIS. AU's 36 finalists were the third most of any university in the country. The PMF program is designed to attract to the federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of graduate and professional programs and in a variety of career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs.

AU president commits to climate neutrality
President Neil Kerwin underscored AU’s commitment to sustainability and environmental activism when he signed an agreement requiring the university to move toward climate neutrality.

SIS Working Paper:
"Good Anthropology, Bad Islam? The Pitfalls of Steamrolling the Muslim World," by Frankie Martin and Hailey Woldt.

SIS hosts forum on U.S.-Africa relations
Two panels stocked with leading experts on Africa explored the continent's past and looked toward its future during an event held to honor and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs. The event was co-sponsored by the SIS Graduate Student Council.

SIS students featured at Honors Capstone Conference
Capstone is a scholarly project that is the culmination of a student's work in the University Honors Program.

SIS professor Paul Wapner featured at sustainability forum
Wapner framed sustainability as a moral issue in the noon discussion on the AU campus

Hunsberger lecture
Leading Asia specialist and Harvard professor Roderick MacFarquhar gave the 11th annual Warren S. Hunsberger lecture at the School of International Service.

SIS grad students record statements for Liberian Truth Commission
School of International Service graduate students are among those working to take statements from Liberians who are members of the diaspora. Around 20 AU students, including some from Washington College of Law (WCL) trained earlier this year as statement takers for the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

SIS doctoral student wins fellowship
SIS doctoral student Julie Norman was a winner of the Jerusalem 2050 project's Just Jerusalem Competition. The Jerusalem 2050 project is a joint initiative sponsored by MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning and the Center for International Studies,

SIS dean discusses future Korean garden with Korea Times
Louis W. Goodman, dean of AU's School of International Service said the school plans to create a "Korean Garden" to symbolize the strong ties between the two allies.

International Communication Student Forum newsletter
The SIS International Communication Student Forum published its newsletter, April edition.

Diplomatic Pouch
Spring 2008 edition available for download

Belfast scholar addresses peace and conflict resolution students
Belfast-based scholar Pete Shirlow disputes view that the long-standing conflict in Northern Ireland should be described in religious terms, as a sectarian clash between Catholics and Protestants.

SIS alum paints picture of Wild West online
Tom Kellermann,'99, delivered a startling talk on the subject cyber crime as part of the School of International Service’s lecture series on transnational crime issues and threats.

Environmental forum discusses sustainability of awareness, enthusiasm
Jacob Scherr, international program director and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, discussed the major challenges to creating the political will to create change to protect the environment. Scherr spoke at a student-organized environmental forum.

SIS alum deported from Pakistan
SIS alumnus Nicholas Schmidle and his wife Rikki shared their fascinating story of their experience after he published an article in the New York Times Magazine detailing the increased activity of a new generation of Taliban in Pakistan. The talk was sponsored by SIS, the School of Communication, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

In Memoriam: William C. Cromwell
William C. Cromwell, professor emeritus of international service, died March 12 with his family at his side in Rockville, Maryland, at the age of 73. Professor Cromwell taught international relations in the School of International Service from 1962 until his retirement in 1999.

Grad research award winners
Ten graduate students were awarded grants by the School of International Service and the Graduate Student Council to offset costs associated with research projects and conference papers. These remarkable students personify the academic excellence, ingenuity, and collegiate cooperation that make SIS and its programs exceptional.

Lusane honored for latest book
SIS professor Clarence Lusane participated in the AU library’s 30th Celebrating Scholarship program where he was honored for his book, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice: Foreign Policy, Race, and the New American Century.

International Peace & Conflict Resolution program newsletter

AU Recognized for Distinguished Community Service
American University has been named to the 2007 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youth. AU was recognized in the "With Distinction" category. This marks the second time AU has received the accolade since in 2006, the university was named to the honor roll with distinction for general community service.

Inauguration
American University officially inaugurated Neil Kerwin as 14th President

International Communication Student Forum Newsletter
February 5, 2008 edition

Obama Rally at AU
Senator Barack Obama accepted the endorsements of Sen. Ted Kennedy and two other Kennedy family members at a rally held on the AU campus

Chaplain Joe Eldridge honored
University Chaplain Joe Eldridge was honored recently for his longtime commitment to human rights when he was awarded the Louis B. Sohn Award of the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area.

International Communication Student Forum newsletter
The SIS International Communication Student Forum published its newsletter, January edition.

SIS Career Week
Week-long SIS program illustrates opportunities for students in different career fields.

SIS student works with India's 'untouchables'
Matt McCoy and his mother cooperated to organize an AU alternative break to Dalit communities in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Comparative & Regional Studies Newsletter, Spring 2008 edition

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