LHU administrators join the 2009-2010 Humphrey Fellows as they examine photos of LHU students and their study abroad experiences.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University kicked off its celebration of International Education Week a few days early, as it hosted international guests on campus on November 13. The guests are 2009-2010 Humphrey Fellows who are participating in the Humphrey Program at Penn State University.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program was established in 1978 to honor the late senator and vice-president. Humphrey Fellows are mid-career professionals from around the world who go to selected universities in the United States for one year of non-degree graduate study, professional training, and work related experiences.

In her welcoming remarks, LHU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Deborah Erickson provided a brief overview of Lock Haven University. She noted that the Humphrey Fellows are “committed to leadership” and expressed her hope that their visit to LHU would be fruitful. “We are honored to host this year’s Humphrey Fellows,” she said. “These professionals are leaders in their countries and are visiting the United States to learn more about our educational system. Through connecting with our LHU faculty, we hope our guests have a transformative experience and can go back to their home countries with a broader perspective gained from their experience here.”

During their day at Lock Haven University, the Humphrey Fellows toured the campus and were briefed on LHU’s Institute for International Studies by Dean Jennifer Creamer. Associate Professor Cathy Gatewood, director of teacher education, provided an introduction to LHU’s College of Education. After an international luncheon, the Fellows joined break-out sessions that covered a range of topics.

Professor Punnipa Hossain, Department of Special Education; Assistant Professor Judy Yoho, Department of Elementary and Middle Level Education; and Executive Director Carlos Morales, Department of Academic Technology, led discussion on distance education and educational technology.

Assistant Professor of English Dana Washington led a session on children with special needs.

Cindy Allen, professor and director of student teaching and field placements, and Assistant Professor Steven Rush, Department of Elementary and Middle Level Education, led a discussion on school leadership and professional development.

Associate Professor Frederick Schulze, Department of Health Science; and Assistant Professor Loretta Dickson, Department of Geology and Physics, led a discussion on community programs, environment and health.

Tara Fulton, dean of the library and information services, and associate vice president for academic affairs, was excited by the visit. “We are thrilled to have the Fellows visit campus. I’ve had relationships with the program for several years and am pleased to host them today. We hope the Fellows will connect with faculty at Lock Haven University and develop further international partnerships.”
Fulton’s sentiments were echoed by Penn State’s John Collins, Outreach Coordinator, Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, and Assistant Coordinator Jane Reese. Collins stated, “Our visit to Lock Haven University has been a wonderful opportunity. The international dimension that is infused in the university is very enlightening. The visit has opened our eyes to many wonderful opportunities and avenues for future collaboration.”

The 2009-2010 Fellows in the Humphrey Fellowship Program at Penn State are Ulugbek Abdurazakov, English Teacher and Assistant Principal, Yusuf Saremi School, Kazakhstan; Cristina Adam, Educational Program Coordinator, Save the Children; Buthaina Al-Nama, Assistant Principal, Safra Intermediate Primary School, Bahrain; Gabriela Alpirez, Technology Integration Consultant, Instituto Experimental de la Asuncionis, Guatemala; Arfang Dabo, Deputy Advisor for English Language training, Ministry of Education, Senegal; Mirjana Djurovic, formerly the Program Development Officer of Inclusive Education, Save the Children UK, Montenegro; Lydia Dreyer, Finance and External Relations Manager, Public Policy Partnership, South Africa; Edward Joseph, Principal Coordinator, National Council for Technical Education, Tanzania; Valery Leletko, Director, Kamen-na-Oby Branch Campus of Altay State University, Russia; Christopher Rudigizah, Principal Inspector of Mines, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda; Svetlana Vasilyeva, Head of the Center of Adaptive Technologies, Novosibirsk State University, Russia; and Christine Woods, Director of Teaching and learning, University of Fort Hare, South Africa.

The LHU Institute for International Studies has a full schedule of events to celebrate International Education Week, November 16-20. These events include two international coffee/tea hours, a movie, international food in the dining hall, and a Spanish conversation opportunity. IIS Dean Jennifer Creamer said, “I am delighted we are able to host the Humphrey Fellow from Penn State to kick off our own International Week celebration. The Fellows are here for one year to network with each other and their American counterparts, and to learn about another culture. That’s what international education is all about.”