Spring 2013 Graduation Invitation
VIPP's Spring 2013 Graduation ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 9, 2013. There is an invitation (PDF)* for the ceremony available. The ceremony will take place at 11:30 am in the Kellogg Center Centennial Room located at 219 S. Harrison, and will include lunch and a certificate presentation.
If you would like to attend, please contact your Program Coordinator to confirm your attendance and let them know how many guests will accompany you.
This summer, VIPP will be holding two summer sessions. There will be five courses offered during the first session and three offered during the second session.
The summer schedule will be divided into the following session dates:
Session I: May 13 – June 7, 2013
Session II: July 22 – August 16, 2013
The courses offered for Session 1 are as follows:
For Session II, the following courses will be offered:
- VIP 410: "Pronunciation"
- VIP 415: "Conversation"
- VIP 467: "Food & the Environment"
VIPP is very proud to recognize the accomplishments of Julie Xu, daughter of Senior Program Coordinator Qing Xia. Julie and her classmates were invited to the White House to present at the White House Science Fair on Monday, April 22. They presented their Offshore Rip Current Alert System (ORCA) to President Obama, and were able to speak directly with the president about the usefulness their invention. The device was developed to save swimmers' lives by sounding an alarm to warn swimmers of dangerous conditions.
Julie is currently a senior at Williamston High School in Williamston, Michigan.
Read the full story on the Lansing State Journal's website.
Photos from the Lansing State Journal.
VIPP would like to recognize the student employees who are graduating this spring. All of your hard work and contributions have been very valuable during your time at VIPP. We wish you the best of luck in all of your bright futures!
Bachelor of Arts, Hospitality Business
Master of Arts, Advertising
Master of Science, Accounting
Bachelor of Arts, Professional Writing
Charlotte Poston, one of VIPP's valuable and longstanding faculty members, will no longer be teaching after the end of this semester. There will be a get-together for Mrs. Poston on Thursday, April 25, 2013 in room 305 of the International Center at 11:00 am. Staff, faculty, and participants are welcome to attend to celebrate Mrs. Poston's great contributions to VIPP over the past several years. Mrs. Poston has helped a number of participants during her time at VIPP, and is currently teaching VIPP's Pronunciation course.
This fall, the Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs (MCAA) will be held at MSU. VIPP is looking to have 1-2 panels of participants present at the conference. If you are interested in presenting, please contact Dr. Enkhee Diffendal (firstname.lastname@example.org). It would be a great experience for many of VIPP's participants to present at an academic conference, as it would help with professional growth. A number of academics from other universities will also be in attendance.
Below is the information for the MCAA:
Location: Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at MSU
Dates: Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, 2013. On Friday evening there will be entertainment and on Saturday night there will be a banquet with awards in addition to a talk by the Associate of Asian Studies president.
Proposal Deadline: June 15, 2013
Registration Fee: $ 95 (VIPP will cover the costs from our endowments)
Contact Person for MCAA: Dr. Ethan Segal, Associate Professor, History, MSU (Japanese Historian)
Conference Website: http://asia.isp.msu.edu/MCAA/
The Latin American Imprints Spring Symposium will take place from April 18-19, 2013 at Michigan State University. The program will include a theatrical performance; invited presentations by Dr. Michael Palencia-Roth, and Dr. Jonathan Tittler; a presentation and exhibition by Colombian painter David Alvarado; poster presentations by undergraduate and graduate students; panel discussion; and reception with musical performance. The symposium is co-sponsored by the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies along with many collaborators, such as the Department of Romance and Classical Studies, Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, as well as VIPP.
April 18: Theatrical performances "Magia y Realismo: Escenas Latinoamericanas/"Magic and Realism: Latin American Scenes," RCAH Theater, 7-9:00 p.m.
April 19: Symposium "Latin American Imprints—Poetics, Theater and Art: The Legacy of Gabriel García Márquez," MSU International Center, 3rd floor
8:30 a.m. - Welcome
9:00 - Latin America and its Literature Poster Session
10:00 - Keynote Presentations: The Legacy of Gabriel García Márquez
- "Toward 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' and Beyond: García Márquez and his Precursors" by Michael Palencia-Roth, Trowbridge Scholar in Literary Studies and Professor Emeritus of Comparative and World Literature, University of Illinois
- "The Legacy of Gabriel García Márquez, Ethical Poet" by Jonathan Tittler, Professor Emeritus of Hispanic Studies, Rutgers University
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Magical Realism on Canvas - Presentation and exhibition by Colombian painter David Alvarado
2:30 - Panel Discussion: Legacies - Panelists Palencia-Roth, Tittler, Alvarado and Sánchez-Blake
4:00 - Reception and Entertainment
For more information, please visit: http://latinamerica.isp.msu.edu/symposium/2013/
VIPP would like to take this time to recognize Mr. Frank Fear and Ms. Dilrukishi H. Galhena, who have received awards for their work with international programs at the 2013 International Awards. Each individual has made incredible contributions to international programs and engagement at MSU as well as abroad.
Mr. Frank Fear is the senior associate dean emeritus for the College of Agriculture and National Resources, as well as a member of the VIPP Advisory Board. Mr. Fear has made tremendous contributions to MSU's international programs during his 30-plus year career, particularly through community engagement and development. He has built hundreds of meaningful partnerships and supported the important work of numerous colleagues at MSU in institutions abroad. To honor his work, Mr. Fear is the 2013 recipient of the Charles A. Gliozzo International Award for Public Diplomacy.
Ms. Dilrukshi H. Galhena is a doctoral student in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences whose work has focused on reducing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty in developing countries such as Tajikistan and India. She has mastered the art of international communication, understanding, and cooperation, which she has demonstrated in her work to help connect MSU to the people and communities in Sri Lanka and South Asia. As the President of MSU Sri Lankan Student Association, Ms. Galhena has played a key role in building the VIPP Sri Lanka Endowment, which has enhanced collaborative programs between Sri Lankan universities and MSU. Her belief in "being a leader and a part of the solution" has made her a worthy recipient of the Homer Higbee Award this year.
Congratulations to Mr. Fear and Ms. Galhena!
Dr. Mina Shin, an instructor for VIPP, has joined the Professional Programs Team as a Program Coordinator. Currently, Dr. Shin is a faculty member with VIPP and will continue to teach VIPP courses. She is also a Visiting Assistant Professor with the Department of Linguistics & German, Slavic, Asian & African Languages at MSU. Her primary research and teaching interests are global circulation of East Asian cinemas and popular cultures, migration and diasporas, and the politics of media representation of race and ethnicity and its impact on the construction of identity, nationhood and citizenship.
Welcome, Dr. Shin!
As a part of MSU Japan Month, VIPP and the Asian Studies Center will be hosting an event entitled "88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan." The pilgrimage is a 900 mile journey on the island of Shikoku, Japan. Chelsea Reid and Elana Snyder will give a presentation about their upcoming book on the 88 temple pilgrimage on the island and their personal interactions with the public.
The event will be held on Tuesday, March 19, from 4:00-5:00 pm in 303 International Center and is open to the public. There is a flyer (PDF)* for the event posted outside of the VIPP main office in 1 International Center.
Upcoming Panel—"Restoring the Balance to Michigan's Farming Landscape: The Impacts of Factory Farms in Michigan and How to Change the System"
On March 21st, MSU is hosting a panel of experts to discuss the various impacts of factory farms on our health, economy, and animals in B119 Wells Hall Auditorium at 6:30pm. Each member of the panel will focus on specific issues relating to factory farms. The panel consists of the following people:
Be sure to check out the Facebook event for updates and reminders!
VIPP Spring Festival
On Monday, February 18, VIPP will be hosting a "Spring Festival" potluck. The event will take place from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm, and will be held at the Spartan Village Community center. This event will also be a potluck celebration, so those who attend should bring a dish to share.
VIPP will feature traditional foods as well as information on springtime celebrations from many different cultures. As a part of the potluck, those who attend should bring a dish to share. There is a flyer (PDF)* for the event posted on the bulletin board outside of the VIPP main office.
VIPP Mt. Holly Ski Trip
VIPP's Mount Holly ski trip will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Buses will be leaving the International Center at 9:00 am and will return at 5:30 pm. Registration for the trip must be completed by 4:30 pm on Friday, February 15. VIPP will pay for lift tickets for VIPP participants only, but tickets for family and friends are available for a fee. There will also be a bus fee and equipment rental fee.
For a complete list of costs as well as additional information on the trip, please consult the trip's flyer (PDF)*, which is also posted on the bulletin board outside the VIPP main office.
"After Torture": A Lecture by Dr. Youngju Ryu
On Thursday, January 17, Dr. Youngju Ryu of University of Michigan will be giving a lecture entitled "After Torture: The Cultural Politics of Forgiveness." This lecture will run from 12:40-2:00 pm in room 145 of the Natural Sciences building, and is sponsored by the Asian Studies Center. There is also a flyer (PDF)* of the lecture available.
The focus of the lecture will be as follows:
"Representations of torture abound in contemporary South Korean literature, film, and art. As reflections on both the country's authoritarian past and the persistence of that past in the present, these representations open up torture as a charged site of investigating the task of achieving what political scientist Choi Jang-jip has called 'democracy after democratization.' Torture thus becomes linked not only to a specific object of power such as the dictator in his labyrinth, but of a modality of power that forecloses or displaces the question of justice from proper consideration. After discussing the South Korean case, the talk will consider the problem of torture more globally in relation to democracy, human rights, and the possibility of politics beyond the prism of 'political correctness.'"
Spring semester at MSU is coming up soon! Class registration begins on January 7 and will last until January 11, 2013. Also, please note that there are two spring breaks during our spring 2013 calendar. The MSU spring break is from March 4 to March 8, and the school break is from April 1 through April 5.
VIPP's short courses will run from January 14-March 1, 2013, and March 11-April 26, 2013. A complete list of courses (PDF)* offered reflects the dates each course will run, as well as a description of each course. Additionally, there is a spring course schedule (PDF)* available for reference.
VIPP Fall 2012 Graduation Ceremony
The Fall 2012 Graduation Ceremony for VIPP will take place on December 9, 2012. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 am at the University Club, and will include a brunch and certificate presentation.
A graduation invitation (PDF)* is available for graduating participants, faculty, and staff members with more information regarding the ceremony. Graduating participants who plan on attending must contact their Program Coordinator by Monday, November 26 to confirm their attendance and the number of guests that will accompany them.
VIPP's Annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner
On Tuesday, November 20, VIPP will be providing the traditional American Thanksgiving Dinner at 6:00 pm in Room 303 of the International Center for staff, faculty, and participants. The meal will include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. In traditional "potluck" fashion, VIPP asks that guests bring a dish to share for the dinner. The dish you bring can be traditional to your home country or can be a dish you've come to enjoy since your arrival, and also be sure to bring your family to this event.
Upcoming Lecture on North Korea
Dr. Dennis Hart, Director of VIPP, will be giving a presentation entitled "Fear and Loathing of North Korea." The lecture will take place on Tuesday, November 13, in room 1145 of the Engineering Building on Michigan State University's campus, and will run from 3:00-4:50 pm.
There is a poster (PDF)* for the event located on the bulletin board outside of the VIPP Main Office on the Garden Level of the International Center. This event is sponsored by the Asian Studies Program, VIPP, and the Center for Integrative Studies—Social Science Admittance is free and open for the public, and refreshments will be provided.
Post-Election 2012 Lecture
Following the 2012 Presidential Election, Dr. Charles Matzke will be giving a post-election lecture entitled "A Look at the 2012 Election Results." Dr. Matzke is a VIPP faculty member and teaches a course on Current Events.
The lecture will be on Thursday, November 8, from 3:30—5:30 pm in Room 2 of the International Center. There is a flyer (PDF)* for the event posted outside of the VIPP main office on the Garden Level of the International Center.
Upcoming Lecture on Libya
On Monday, November 12, 2012, Ms. Nelufer El Badri will be giving a lecture entitled "Libya: Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Elections, and Women's Issues." The lecture is sponsored by VIPP, Muslim Studies Program, and the Center for Gender in Global Context.
Ms. Nelufer El Badri is a political analyst for an international democratic governance NGO, where she is an advisor on Libyan political developments. She also worked for the EU Election Assessment Team in Tripoli monitoring the first free elections in Libya. She co-founded the Libyan Education and Awareness Program, an NGO to support the development of a democratic Libya focusing on basic rights of it citizens. An investment analyst and private banker in the early years of her career, she was motivated to shift to political affairs by the momentous events of the past two years in the ArabWorld. Raised and educated in both Egypt and the U.K., Ms. El Badri considers herself a native of both Middle Eastern and Western cultures.
The lecture is open and free for the public and will run from 12 noon-1:30 pm in Room 303 of the International Center. Coffee and tea will be available for attendees.
VIPP Welcomes Ms. Peggy Gallandt
VIPP would like to extend a warm welcome to its new Operations Coordinator, Peggy Gallandt. Ms. Gallandt earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Davenport University in Lansing, Michigan. Prior to joining VIPP, Ms. Gallandt lived in Texas and worked in the Human Resources Department for Sealed Air Corporation, Cryovac Division, which is a global company specializing in protective packaging. While in that position, she assisted employees from the company's plant in Shanghai, China, with settlement during their training in the United States. Her previous background includes working for Davenport University and Vernon Community College in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Welcome to VIPP, Ms. Gallandt!
Visiting Scholars Visit Chicago
From September 27-29, 2012, seven VIPP visiting scholars who participate in the Global Professional Education Program had an opportunity to visit several sites in their fields of interest in the Chicago area. The scholars came from Korea Exchange, Korea Securities Depository, KOSCOM, Korea International Trade Association, and Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation. Dr. Kiwon Kang, a Program Coordinator for VIPP, accompanied the scholars.
The group visited the Chicago Board of Trade, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Archer Daniels Midland Investor Services. In addition to the on-site visits, the group attended a seminar entitled "Current Profile on the U.S. Financial Market," presented by Dr. Jin Choi, a professor at DePaul University.
Below are some pictures from the trip: The group outside the Chicago Board of Trade, and inside the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
"The Amur" Movie Screening
Sungbae Sohn, a participant from VIPP, directed and produced a documentary entitled "The Amur" - an hour-long film about the Amur River that begins in Mongolia and stretches through Russia and China. The film was screened on October 9, 2012, in the Communication Arts and Sciences building on Michigan State University's campus.
Mr. Sohn works for the Korean Broadcasting System, which is the largest TV and radio network in South Korea, and completed his program in September 2012.
Innovative Global Leadership Workshop Program
As a part of the Green and White Gathering, the Innovative Global Leadership Workshop begins this Friday, October 12, 2012. The workshop will be a one-day event and will be followed by the MSU Homecoming Parade. The program for the workshop is now available.
For more information or questions, please e-mail email@example.com.
Green and White Gathering Program for Participants
The Green and White Gathering program is available for all participants. The event, which runs from October 11-14, 2012, celebrates VIPP's 20th anniversary as well as Michigan State's Homecoming weekend.
The program lists the dates, times, and locations for the Innovative Global Leadership Workshop as well as the VIPP Tailgate. All participants are encouraged to come!
For more information or questions, please e-mail firstname.lastname@example.org.
Global Executive Workshop for University Administrative Staff from Malaysia
VIPP hosted a Global Executive Workshop for University Administrative Staff from Malaysia in cooperation with the Malaysia University Association (facilitated by Universitie Utara Malaysia), from June 11 to July 1, 2012. Eighteen university administrators from all regions in Malaysia attended a three-week long workshop at the MSU campus. The group participated in a series of lectures on higher education & administration offered by MSU faculty members. They also visited various offices at MSU to learn new methods for administration in the capacity of adult and higher education. The offices included the Financial Aid Office, National Super Cyclotron Lab, Office of Registrar, Office of Student Affairs, Office of Admission, Honors College, and the Planning & Budgets Office.
Ms. Padmini Pillai, Deputy Registrar at Universiti Utara Malaysia, wrote an article entitled "An Experience of a Lifetime (PDF)*." Part of the article was read at the certificate ceremony.
Employment Opportunities in VIPP
VIPP has one position available for hire: Assistant Middle East Program Coordinator, a half-time position. For more information on this posting as well as how to apply, please visit VIPP's Employment page.
Meeting with Mayor Won-soon Park
On July 10, 2012 the Honorable Won-soon Park, Mayor of the city of Seoul, Korea, met with Dr. Dennis Hart, Director of VIPP to discuss possible collaborations and professional education programs. This year VIPP hosted multiple professional programs for administrators and workers from the Seoul Metropolitan Government to help them enhance their skills and knowledge. As part of their programs, the participants from the Seoul Metropolitan Government also conducted site and professional visits to the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency, Michigan Economic Development Agency, World Business Chicago, and important centers.
VIPP-NILE Agreement Signing Ceremony
An agreement signing ceremony was held on the 18th of July 2012, Seoul, Korea, for a General International Agreement (GIA) for Academic Cooperation between the Visiting International Professional Program at MSU and the Center for NILE Professional Competence Development at National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE). The GIA was signed by Dr. Dennis Hart, Director of VIPP and Dr. Un Sil Choi, President of NILE. The GIA will serve as a general framework for cooperation between the two institutions and is intended to facilitate discussions for more specific programs of collaboration especially in the field of lifelong education.
Upcoming Green and White Event
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Visiting International Professional Program, and to celebrate this occasion, VIPP will be hosting a Green and White Gathering Workshop from October 11-14, 2012, which happens to be Homecoming weekend for MSU. The workshop will focus on leadership education as well as creating a vision for the next 20 years for VIPP.
Participants will develop capacity for creative, effective leadership through global analysis as well as intensive discussions. This workshop is also designed to enhance the ability for critical objective definitions, build dynamic relationships, and deliver innovative solutions to global challenges. Participants will also be able to directly interact and speak with current global leaders and practitioners from a wide range of fields, and are encouraged to develop a distinctive and effective leadership style and approach.
In addition, VIPP will host a conference on "Innovative Global Leadership" just for the alumni, who will also be able to attend a range of homecoming events along with past and current VIPP participants.
The schedule of events is as follows:
October 11-13: Green and White Gathering
October 12: Innovative Global Leadership Workshop
October 12: Homecoming Parade
October 13: Homecoming Game - MSU versus Iowa Hawkeyes
Every VIPP alumni and participant are invited to attend. For more information, please e-mail email@example.com.
Summer II Courses at VIPP
For the second summer session, VIPP will have three courses available for enrollment. The courses will take place from July 23 - August 16, 2012. Enrollment begins Monday, July 9, 2012, through the Non-Credit Enrollment System. The courses are:
This class is designed to provide the student with practical skills in management and leadership. Over the course of this class, participants will gain a clear understanding of the goals and tools of effective management, learn practical leadership skills and delegation tactics to improve efficiency, develop planning and decision-making skills as well as public speaking and presentation skills. Participants will also learn cultural nuances of public speaking and professional etiquette in the US.
This course will be joint-instructed by Dr. Enkhee Diffendal and Ms. Kari Kammel, and will be held Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:50am - 10:10am.
Pronunciation (VIP 410)
Instructor: Laura Ballard
This course will focus on the importance of pronunciation in speaking as well as reading for both conversationl and professional use. Participants will learn to recognize, differentiate, and produce phonetic alphabet sounds in addition to interpreting meanings of different types of intonation, tone, and word/sentence-stress when reading, listening, and speaking. Participants will also learn to participate in and comprehend authentic conversations comfortably, and heighten self-awareness when speaking. This course will take place Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:50am - 10:10am.
Conversation (VIP 415)
Instructor: Jessica Farrar
This course will teach participants how to engage in and comprehend authentic conversations for both conversation and professional use. This class aims to teach students to pragmatically recognize, differentiate, and produce various phrases appropriately in real-life scenarios. Students will be able to monitor and self-correct their own speech through self-awareness by recognizing errors in both grammar and meaning. Conversation will be held Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:30am - 11:50am.
VIPP's Summer Workshops
This summer, VIPP is hosting a number of Global Education Workshops (GEW). Although some of the workshops have come to an end, there are still several ongoing. The total number of all participants who attended the workshops is 134 , and they came from China, Korea, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.
May 15 - June 12: CSC Student Affairs Admin
June 4 - 14: SMG Finance/Econ. Development
June 10 - 30: University Admin. Staff from Malaysia
June 23 - July 2: MOPAS
June 16 - July 17: Jazan University
July 15 - August 5: Seoul Metropolitan Gov. HR Development
July 14 - August 9: Sichuan University Higher Education
July 9 - August 23: Accounting Bridge Program
Summer I Courses at VIPP
VIPP will be offering several summer courses that participants may take. They will be offered during the first session of summer semester:
Idioms (VIP 412)
This class emphasizes the kind of informal, everyday speech that is commonly understood by all native Americans. Students learn to pragmatically recognize, differentiate, and produce various phrases appropriately in real life scenarios, and to comfortably engage in and comprehend authentic conversations utilizing the prior idioms.
Instructor: Marie Hollenbeck firstname.lastname@example.org
Conversation (VIP 415)
Students learn to interpret meanings of the types of intonation, tone, and word and sentences stress when reading, listening, and speaking for both professional and conversational use. This class teaches how to monitor and self-correct their own speech through self-awareness by recognizing errors in both grammar and meaning.
Instructor: Marie Hollenbeck email@example.com
American Themes: The Reel America: Looking at Race and Ethnicity Through American Cinema (VIP 430)
This course will explore contemporary issues on race and ethnicity through narrative U.S. cinema. Students will engage in reading, writing and discussion on topics that look at the complexities of identity, politics, economics and culture in the American life.
Instructor: Tama Hamilton-Wray firstname.lastname@example.org
American Culture (VIP 451)
This course examines American culture from the perceptive of its own mainstream values. Such topics as current events, values, politics, racial assimilation, leisure time, and family will be discussed. The goal of this class is to familiarize you with various aspects of mainstream American culture. You will gain insights of culture that are often uniquely American, while at the same time, improving your abilities to read, comprehend, and express yourself in English.
Instructor: Joe Cousins email@example.com
Business English (VIP 464)
Business English emphasizes speaking and writing practice and vocabulary expansion for professionals in a variety of contexts within the business world, with the objective of enabling students to communicate more effectively. Various issues arising in the business workplace will also be discussed.
Instructor: Ruth Mendel firstname.lastname@example.org
VIPP Welcomes Dr. Enkhee Diffendal
VIPP is proud to announce another new member to our program - Dr. Enkhee Diffendal, the new Assistant Director for VIPP! Prior joining VIPP, Dr. Diffendal served as Managing Director of the Institute for International Studies in Education (IISE), University of Pittsburgh, where she also received her PhD in 2010. Dr. Diffendal had undertaken both teaching-research and higher education administration tasks at the National University of Mongolia. She had also worked as consultant for different international and local projects in Mongolia. Her research interests and experience are in the areas of higher education management, research methods, policy analysis, program evaluation, international development, social theory and multicultural education.
Welcome to VIPP, Dr. Diffendal!
VIPP Welcomes Ms. Kari Kammel
VIPP would like to extend a warm welcome to its new Middle East Program Coordinator, Kari Kammel. Ms. Kammel is an international attorney who focuses on rule of law and human rights. She worked from 2010-2011 in Iraq managing rule of law projects in legal education reform; women and gender issues; civil society and NGOs; and reconciliation and conflict resolution. She ran the first national moot court competition in Iraq in 2010 involving 16 universities. Ms. Kammel also worked in Egypt in the educational system, and has also worked in immigration law.
Welcome to VIPP, Ms. Kammel!
Vincent Joseph Hoffman of East Lansing Michigan passed away January 31, 2012 at the age of 85. He was born September 22, 1926 in Jackson, Michigan to Julius and Ethel Hoffman. Vince served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a missionary in South Korea for 15 years. He retired from MSU after 35 years as a professor. He was a faculty member of the School of Criminal Justice. Vince was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, where he was especially active in the choir. Vincent is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Young Hee Jun Hoffman; his daughter, M. Elizabeth Hoffman, and son, Saad Ouahidi; brother, Robert (Pat) Hoffman and three sisters, Mary Pangborn, Cecille Smoker, and Janet (Art) Duffy and several nieces and nephews.
Full Hoffman Obituary
July 29th, 2011, VIPP alongside invited guests gathered at Sultan's Mediterranean restaurant in East Lansing to celebrate the graduation of 14 participants from the Energy Market Regulatory Authority in Turkey. The graduates, VIPP staff, instructors, and special guests enjoyed a Mediterranean meal and celebrated as the participants received their certificates of achievement.
Over the previous nine weeks the participants, toured energy institutions such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington D.C.; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Chicago, Illinois; and the Hydro One energy corporation, which provides electricity across the Canadian province of Ontario. In addition they attended lectures by MSU professors and professionals in the field of energy market regulation.
This coming week will see a continuation of the program in a modified state to better serve the participants during Ramadan. We extend our congratulations to the participants and wish them a safe trip home.
MSU-CSC Student Affairs Program
On 5/21/2011, the second four-week Student Affairs Workshop for 22 administrators from 13 universities across China started at MSU. The program was sponsored by the China Scholarship Council and hosted by the Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP).
All workshop participants work in student affairs in their respective universities. The program focused on MSU student services. Various seminars were hosted by MSU administrators. The MSU Campus Living team, led by Ms. Karen Corley, hosted a wonderful presentation covering food service, housing, and overall student life-related issues. Staff Psychologist Christine Zhou presented on dealing with psychological problems among students. Dr. Patty Croom, Associate Director of Admissions, introduced recruiting and admissions in the U.S.
The participants paid special attention to Dr. Linda Gross, Associate Director of Career Services, when they visited and learned about MSU's career service network. Dr. Pat Eno, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, introduced the Department of Student Life. Mr. Dan DiMaggio of MSU Alumni Association discussed how to engage undergraduate students for MSU's future alumni.
The group also met with MSU registrar Dr. Nicole Rovig and OISS Assistant Director Chris Bargerstock. Ms. Karen Casey, Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement, presented MSU practices, an award-winning program in the U.S. The workshop participants held several group discussion sessions to assess what they learned during the seminars.
The program was a great success, and the China Scholarship Council will be sending another workshop delegation to MSU in September 2011. MSU has been a role model in higher education to many Chinese universities.
MSU_DUT Higher Education Administration Workstop
From March 23-April 13, 2011, the Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP) conducted a Higher Education Administration workshop for 19 senior administrators from Dalian University of Technology (DUT) of China. DUT is one of the top research universities in China and is especially strong in the areas of science and engineering.
MSU HALE program professor Dr. Roger Baldwin presented to the workshop on "Overview of American Higher Education." Various seminars were hosted by MSU senior administrators, including Mr. Fred Poston, Vice President of Finance; Mr. David Gift, Director of Computing and Technology; Mr. Ron Flinn, Assistant Vice President of Campus Planning and Development; Dr. Denise Maybank, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs; Dr. Deborah DeZure, Associate Provost of Faculty Development; and Dr. Julius Jackson, Associate Dean of the Graduate school.
The workshop participants also visited and learned about the MSU Registrar's Office, career services, research labs, the Honors College, MSU logistics services, and Campus Living. The DUT visitors and MSU administrators were able to interact and learned from each other. The workshop was very successful and MSU impressed their Chinese counterparts in many ways. More communication and possible collaboration are expected in the future.
MOPAS Global Executive Workshop
VIPP will host a global executive workshop on the global economy and public finance in cooperation with the Korean Ministry of Public Administration and Security (MOPAS) from April 23 - May 2, 2011.
A total of twenty Korean government officials from 14 different agencies will be attending this ten-day workshop. The group will participate in a series of seminars on the global economy and public finance offered by MSU faculty members as well as visit agencies such as the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency and Michigan Municipal League while staying at MSU. After finishing the Michigan portion of the workshop, the group will leave for Washington D.C., to visit various federal and international agencies such as the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD), US Federal Reserve, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank.
VIPP established a cooperative relationship to provide overseas training and educational programs with MOPAS last year and this is the third short-term workshop sponsored by MOPAS. VIPP hopes to continuously maintain and enhance its cooperative relationship with MOPAS.
Chinese Higher Education Workshop
From March 23d through April 7th VIPP hosted 19 Chinese higher education administrators as part of a larger MSU-Dalian University of Technology workshop. During their 16-day stay in East Lansing they toured much of the campus and discussed issues ranging from lab management and revenue sources to the MSU Cyclotron lab and campus technology services.
In addition to MSU tours, the administrators were also shown the Michigan Historical Museum and Lansing's Capitol Hill. After 16 days in East Lansing the visitors were flown to Washington D.C. and New York City for two days of tours in each city.
On April 7th VIPP along with the other departments involved in the workshop held a graduation and program ending ceremony for the participants at the Kellogg Center complete with a catered lunch. We hope the participants enjoyed and benefitted from their stay in the United States and Michigan; it was a pleasure to work with them.
VIPP Hosts Okinawa Delegation
At the end of March, VIPP was honoured to host a delegation from Ryukus University in Okinawa, Japan, to discuss an upcoming training program for Higher Education Administrators. The VIPP proposal was accepted and a plan for September or March was set. There are still details to iron out, but VIPP is honoured to be able to host these trainees in the coming fiscal year.
VIPP Preparing for Okinawa Delegation
VIPP is preparing to receive two delegates from Ryukus University in Okinawa, Japan, to flesh out the details concerning a probable future Administrative Staff Training Program for members of Ryukus University. The delegation is slated to arrive early March 25th and spend a week negotiating training programs with various MSU programs.
VIPP to Co-Sponsor Poetry Event
Thursday, March 24th, MSU will be hosting renowned spoken word poet Jessica Care Moore for an afternoon class and an evening open mic event. Ms. Moore tackles the issues of intercultural rela-tions (primarily between African and Arab Ameri-cans in Detroit), women's suffrage, and her own interracial and international tensions from growing up with an African American father and a (white) Canadian mother.
Ms. Moore will be visiting an MSU class of writing students and VIPP participants on Thursday after-noon and will be holding an open mic poetry event at 7pm in room 300 Bessey Hall.
This event will be free of charge and is open to the public.
Global Professional Education Program Graduation
Sunday, February 27th, 2011, VIPP celebrated the graduation of 14 of our fellows from the Global Professional Education Program. A majority of the participants came from universities in China and Korea with a couple coming from corporations and the Korean army. Each took part in a customized program suited to their professional needs, ranging from a single semester to multiple years. The graduates were awarded with the Global Professional Certificate, leaving better prepared for the challenges that await them in a globalized world.
The ceremony was run by Dr. Kiwon Kang, with the opening remarks made by Interim Director Ravi Ammigan and congratulatory remarks made by Janice Beecher. The names were announced by Kang with the certificates being presented by one of the VIPP staff or instructors gathered to congratulate the graduates.
Once the certificates were given out the valedictorians were invited to speak. Jie Jiang, Minhong Jiang, and Oow Jun Paik shared their personal experiences, stories of their growth and in one notable case sang for the audience. Closing remarks were then made by Xia Qing, closing out the ceremony.
The entire event had an air of celebration as fellows embraced friends made during their stay and spoke about the bittersweet experience of leaving East Lansing to return home. We wish all the graduates a happy and safe trip home and congratulate them all on their great achievement.
Isaac Kalumbu holds talk over Grammy experience
On Friday, February 18th, 2011, Grammy-nominated artist and VIPP staff member Isaac Kalumbu shared his experiences at this year's Grammy awards ceremony in Los Angeles at a brown-bag luncheon hosted by VIPP. Kalumbu was nominated alongside reggae legend Gregory Isaacs for their album "Isaacs meets Isaac." The brown-bag luncheon was attended by 25 people, including Kalumbu's son.
For over an hour Kalumbu wove stories together like a tapestry, singing snippets of his songs to accent moments in his tale. He shared moments like how he sought out Gregory Isaacs, the talented and legendary artist of "Night Nurse" who often proved to be as tardy as he was talented. Unfortunately Isaacs succumbed to a long battle with lung cancer shortly before anyone learned of the album's nomination. Attending in his place were his widow, June Wyndham-Isaacs, and his business manager Copeland Forbes. This posthumous nomination granted Isaacs his fourth Grammy nomination and Kalumbu his first.
Near the end Kalumbu allowed his son a moment to share his experiences of meeting many of his musical icons. Isaac Kalumbu Jr. expressed with pride how he had been able to meet and shake hands with artists like Usher, Beyonce, and Bruno Mars.
The Kalumbus ended the event by singing a song apiece. The elder sang "Full Cover" from his album and his son, at the audience's request, sang Usher's "There Goes My Baby."
Regarding the experience of being a Grammy nominated artist, Kalumbu had this to say. "…it is an exciting experience. The Grammys are the greatest music awards event in the world, and to have been nominated is a matchless blessing. So I am ecstatic and feel honored."
The follow-up album to "Isaacs meets Isaac" entitled "Waiting in Vain" is due to be released in June of this year.
VIPP staff member nominated for GRAMMY®
Sunday, February 13th, 2011, Isaac Kalumbu (known on stage as King Isaac) was invited to attend the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences 53rd Annual GRAMMY® Awards. King Isaac, alongside co-artist Gregory Isaacs, was nominated for Best Reggae album of 2010 for their collaborative work Isaacs meets Isaac.
Isaac travelled to Los Angeles, California, and attended a Saturday reception for all GRAMMY® nominees. He attended the pre-telecast awards ceremony, where the award for his category was awarded, and later the prime-time awards ceremony as a guest.
Friday, February 18th, 2011, Isaac gave a brown-bag luncheon talk in front of VIPP staff and fellows sharing his inspiring musical journey and the experience of being a GRAMMY® nominated artist at the ceremony in Los Angeles. Additionally he treated the audience to one of the songs from his recent album.
VIPP Celebrates Chinese New Year
February 3rd 2011 at 2:00pm VIPP staff, fellows, and their families celebrated the beginning of the Chinese New Year as we left the year of the Tiger and entered the year of the Rabbit. Staff, fellows and family met at the Spartan Village Community Center where they played games, ate traditional Chinese cuisine and learned about the customs and significance surrounding the Lunar New Year.
The year of the rabbit is traditionally associated with home, family, artistic pursuits, diplomacy, and keeping the peace. Therefore we may look forward to a calmer 2011 in both the personal and international arenas. Those born in the year of the rabbit are associated with being calm, quiet, but persistent individuals. These individuals are likely to take their time in making a decision, but once decided are far less likely to change their mind than other signs.
We at VIPP wish you and yours a happy and prosperous year of the rabbit.
VIPP hosts Chinese Student Affairs Admins
On December 1st, a group of 24 Chinese college administrators from nine Chinese universities visited MSU and participated in a three-week workshop in Student Affairs Administration. During their visit, they attended lectures given by MSU faculty about higher education in America and student affairs administration.
They visited different university facilities on campus, such as the Cyclotron Lab, the library, student residence halls, the student career center, and the student service center. They had a meaningful conversation with Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Lee June and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Denise Maybank, and gained better knowledge about the structure and framework of student affairs in MSU. They also met and talked with staff members working with the Counseling Center, Office of International Students and Scholars, Office of Admissions, Alumni Association, and the Career Services Network and Honors College.
As part of the visit was to explore and experience American culture, they watched the MSU women's basketball game, attended a holiday concert in the Wharton Center, and observed a graduation commencement ceremony in the Breslin Center. They also visited Wayne State University and the Detroit downtown area.
Their visit was ended by a closing ceremony in which Senior Associate Dean of International Studies and Programs, Dr. Dawn Pysarchik, gave congratulatory remarks for their completion of the workshop and expressed warm expectations that more Chinese teachers and administrators would be able to visit MSU and expand the educational collaboration between the two counties.
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