A sweet trip to Belgium: An international forensics tournament trip expands horizons in unexpected ways

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There are three things I absolutely love: America, traveling and shoes.

Recently, my love for all three of these converged as I traveled with three other Evangel University students and two professors to Antwerp, Belgium, to participate in the 2013 International Forensics Association tournament.

Forensics, in this case, didn’t have anything to do with investigating and solving crimes. Although, as a Criminal Justice minor, I really wouldn’t have minded. This was a speech tournament that judged the competitors in events such as debate, dramatic interpretation and persuasive/informative speaking.

Throughout the 10-day trip, we were able to visit London, Antwerp and Brussels.

Each location had something special to offer — wonderful hospitality and West End theatre in London; Dutch/Flemish culture and rich historical background in Antwerp; and French elegance and tons of delicious chocolate in Brussels.

In the end, competing with students from all across the United States was definitely a learning experience.

However, while enjoying a hot Belgian waffle and wandering the streets of the Grote Markt district, I was struck with a realization. No single culture or educational system can provide all the knowledge in the world.

Extending our perspective beyond school, state, country or culture is an essential part of reaching our potential as scholars, patriots or community members in general.

Experiences like meeting the Captain of the Guard at Windsor Castle, enjoying local cuisine, learning about the history of the printing press and exploring historic Antwerp City Hall were all part of an overarching learning experience that began the minute our plane touched down in England.

While the trip helped me gain an even deeper appreciation for the United States and the opportunities we are afforded here, I was also able to experience multiple cultures, languages and locations that will forever change the way I look at history.

And to top it all off, I managed to come back with some great new shoes.  

— By Anna Lester, a junior communication studies major from Broken Bow, Oklahoma

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International Studies speaker April 11

Fitchburg State University will welcome Ambassador Adrian A. Basora – national security strategic and scenario planner, scholar and business leader – to deliver the address at the International and Conflict Studies Keynote Speaker Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at the Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl St.

Basoram, pictured, will discuss “the challenges for post-communist democracies surviving a continued Euro-crisis.” Basora is a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and director of its Project on Democratic Transitions. He served in diplomatic posts in the Czech Republic, Spain and France and was also a member of the National Security Council in Washington, D.C., where he shaped the U.S. response to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the first Gulf War.

Prof. Joshua Spero (Economics, History and Political Science), coordinator of the International Studies Minor Program, will introduce the ambassador and moderate the discussion.

“Ambassador Basora offers a unique perspective to our university and greater Fitchburg community on international diplomacy and the great challenges facing the emerging European democracies still transitioning from the post-Communist era and now experiencing the daunting upheaval of the Euro-crisis,” Spero said.

Basora is a recognized expert on political, economic and social transitions of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union since the fall of communism. He is a trustee of the International Research and Exchanges Board and a director of the National Futures Exchange, and was also independent director of the Quaker Investment Trust and chairman of its audit committee.

Among his diplomatic posts, Basora served as the U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic from 1992 to 1995, where he received the Presidential Performance Award for his overall achievements in Prague and he was director of European Affairs for the National Security Council from 1989 to 1991.

His presentation, free and open to the public, is supported by the Office of Academic Affairs and sponsored and hosted by the university’s International Studies Minor. It is co-sponsored by the Department of Economics, History and Political Science, the Center for Conflict Studies, the Office of International Education, the Office of Career Services, and the Office of Student Development.

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Fielding alumna Dorianne Cotter-Lockard accepted for presentation at the International Association of Management, Spirituality, and Religion Conference in Lourdes, France

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Preparations are set for the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging in Los Angeles, CA in February 2013

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Thu, Nov 29, 2012

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, baby boomers will turn 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day for the next decade making them the fastest growing segment of the population. Future implications indicate: “tomorrow’s elderly will have quite different social, demographic, health, and economic characteristics than today’s elderly… as average length of life continues to increase, issues regarding the quality of active life expectancy are likely to assume greater importance.” In anticipation of this growing segment of our population, the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging, hosted by Fielding Graduate University’s Institute for Social Innovation, brings together notable speakers and workshop leaders to explore new and innovative approaches to positive aging. This year’s topic is “Life-Reimagined: New Approaches to Positive Aging” and the conference will take place February 10-12, 2013 at the Center for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.

The Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging includes a variety of workshops that explore themes of creative expression, community, wellness, and life transitions.  Dr. Katrina Rogers, Provost of Fielding Graduate University and Senior Vice-President states:  “Positive aging promotes creativity, wellness, and growth. It means taking personal control of your life instead of being a victim or passive observer. In this model, aging presents a new opportunity for being socially active, for engaging with the community, for being productive, and for seeking a new meaning and purpose in life. This is why the conference is larger each year: people are interested about how to age well.” The conference provides opportunities to engage in physical and creative activities, including yoga, meditation, music, and connecting with others with similar interests.  Conference registration is open to the public.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Wendy Lustbader, MSW, who currently serves as Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Ms. Lustbader has considerable experience working with older people, their families and caregivers, and lectures nationally on subjects related to aging.  As a medical social worker, she specialized for almost twenty years in out-patient mental health at the Pike Market Medical Clinic in Seattle, and has also practiced in a home health care agency, hospital geriatric unit, and nursing home. Ms. Lustbader’s first book was co-authored with Nancy Hooyman, Taking Care of Aging Family Members. This is a practical guide to caregiving which is still considered the best book of its kind by experts in the field of aging. At the opening reception on Sunday, February 10th, Ms. Lustbader will speak about her latest book, Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older.

The conference will also host a webinar with world-renowned American contemporary spiritual teacher and author Ram Dass. He is known for his personal and professional associations with Timothy Leary at Harvard University in the early 1960's, for his travels to India and his relationship with the Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, and for founding the charitable organizations Seva Foundation and Hanuman Foundation. His practice of karma yoga or spiritual service has opened up millions to their deep, yet individuated spiritual practice and path. Dass continues to uphold the boddhisatva ideal for others through his compassionate sharing of true knowledge and vision. His unique skill in getting people to cut through and feel divine love without dogma is still a positive influence on people all over the world.

Dr. James E. Birren is one of the "reigning pioneers" in the organized field of gerontology since the 1940s. He is a past president of The Gerontological Society of America, and author of over 250 publications. Dr. Birren will receive Fielding's Creative Longevity and Wisdom Award in recognition of his six decades of seminal contributions including the influential work on guided autobiography.

Featured speaker Dr. Brian de Vries, Professor of Gerontology at San Francisco State University, and will share his extensive work on aging experiences, including bereavement among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults.  He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of American, a member of the Leadership Council for the American Society on Aging, and co-chair of the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network constituency group. Most recently, Dr. de Vries has become a policy advisor for AARP, California. 

Early registration for the three day conference is $275 until January 14th, 2013, and $300 after. Single day tickets are $125. Registration includes meals and opening reception Sunday evening.  To attend only the Sunday dinner reception featuring keynote speaker Wendy Lustbader is $80.

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Preparations are set for the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging in Los Angeles, CA in February 2013

Posted by Hilary Edwards on Thu, Nov 29, 2012

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, baby boomers will turn 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day for the next decade making them the fastest growing segment of the population. Future implications indicate: “tomorrow’s elderly will have quite different social, demographic, health, and economic characteristics than today’s elderly… as average length of life continues to increase, issues regarding the quality of active life expectancy are likely to assume greater importance.” In anticipation of this growing segment of our population, the Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging, hosted by Fielding Graduate University’s Institute for Social Innovation, brings together notable speakers and workshop leaders to explore new and innovative approaches to positive aging. This year’s topic is “Life-Reimagined: New Approaches to Positive Aging” and the conference will take place February 10-12, 2013 at the Center for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.

The Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging includes a variety of workshops that explore themes of creative expression, community, wellness, and life transitions.  Dr. Katrina Rogers, Provost of Fielding Graduate University and Senior Vice-President states:  “Positive aging promotes creativity, wellness, and growth. It means taking personal control of your life instead of being a victim or passive observer. In this model, aging presents a new opportunity for being socially active, for engaging with the community, for being productive, and for seeking a new meaning and purpose in life. This is why the conference is larger each year: people are interested about how to age well.” The conference provides opportunities to engage in physical and creative activities, including yoga, meditation, music, and connecting with others with similar interests.  Conference registration is open to the public.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference is Wendy Lustbader, MSW, who currently serves as Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Ms. Lustbader has considerable experience working with older people, their families and caregivers, and lectures nationally on subjects related to aging.  As a medical social worker, she specialized for almost twenty years in out-patient mental health at the Pike Market Medical Clinic in Seattle, and has also practiced in a home health care agency, hospital geriatric unit, and nursing home. Ms. Lustbader’s first book was co-authored with Nancy Hooyman, Taking Care of Aging Family Members. This is a practical guide to caregiving which is still considered the best book of its kind by experts in the field of aging. At the opening reception on Sunday, February 10th, Ms. Lustbader will speak about her latest book, Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older.

The conference will also host a webinar with world-renowned American contemporary spiritual teacher and author Ram Dass. He is known for his personal and professional associations with Timothy Leary at Harvard University in the early 1960's, for his travels to India and his relationship with the Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, and for founding the charitable organizations Seva Foundation and Hanuman Foundation. His practice of karma yoga or spiritual service has opened up millions to their deep, yet individuated spiritual practice and path. Dass continues to uphold the boddhisatva ideal for others through his compassionate sharing of true knowledge and vision. His unique skill in getting people to cut through and feel divine love without dogma is still a positive influence on people all over the world.

Dr. James E. Birren is one of the "reigning pioneers" in the organized field of gerontology since the 1940s. He is a past president of The Gerontological Society of America, and author of over 250 publications. Dr. Birren will receive Fielding's Creative Longevity and Wisdom Award in recognition of his six decades of seminal contributions including the influential work on guided autobiography.

Featured speaker Dr. Brian de Vries, Professor of Gerontology at San Francisco State University, and will share his extensive work on aging experiences, including bereavement among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults.  He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of American, a member of the Leadership Council for the American Society on Aging, and co-chair of the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network constituency group. Most recently, Dr. de Vries has become a policy advisor for AARP, California. 

Early registration for the three day conference is $275 until January 14th, 2013, and $300 after. Single day tickets are $125. Registration includes meals and opening reception Sunday evening.  To attend only the Sunday dinner reception featuring keynote speaker Wendy Lustbader is $80.

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International Fellows tour the South in Study USA course

Nine students from around the world traveled to cities across the South in a class on regional culture, history, politics and more.

Assistant Professor Jason Husser (left) taught "Discovering Dixie" this month.

*****

It's easy to pick up a book or watch a documentary if you want to learn about 20th century naval history. If you want to know how it felt for thousands of sailors stationed aboard ships, many of whom hailed form the South, that might require something different -  like touring the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier.

Same goes for learning about the Civil War, Southern cuisine and culture, or the rise of industry in cities like Atlanta and New Orleans. Lectures help, but as International Fellows in a Winter Term came to appreciate firsthand, nothing tops the "feel" of visiting a place you may read about in books.

Students toured sites in Charleston, S.C., as part of "Discovering Dixie."

That General Studies course, “Discovering Dixie,” was led this month by Jason Husser in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and was among six programs organized by the university's new Study USA office.

Husser, an assistant professor and assistant director of the Elon University Poll, is himself a Southerner from southeastern Louisiana.

"To really get to know America, you really have to know the details, and that's something you can't get unless you're actually seeing it in person," Husser said. "My goal is to tell people the South is not just the story of slavery, it's not just the story of civil rights, it's also a really special place."

Overlooking the mouth of the Cooper River in Charleston.

A recent three-day visit to Charleston, S.C., included site visits to city museums and to the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point across the Cooper River from the historic French Quarter. Students toured local museums and parks while sampling Southern cuisine from some of the city’s well-known restaurants

Fellows also visited Atlanta, New Orleans and Asheville, N.C. Husser said he wanted students to develop a deeper cross-cultural competency while learning the importance of various locations and events that have shaped the course of United States history.

Politics, culture and economics are all important components to the region's ongoing growth and development.

Onboard the flight deck of the USS Yorktown (CV-10) at Patriots Point in South Carolina.

"It gives me a broader perspective, the identity of people who live in the south," said sophomore Ana Preciado of Panama City, Panama. "How do they feel about it? How did the United States grow to be what it is right now?"

Students raved about their visit to South Carolina's coastal port city, which preceded the week-long road trip through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. "I love Charleston," said sophomore Andreea Podgoreanu of Bucharest, Romania. "I love the city. It's beautiful. I like that the people are really friendly, and I like the food!"

During a fall semester course, sophomore Keegan Desilva, of Trinidad and Tobago, said he and his classmates "got to know about the Civil War and stuff like that." However, he said, it's important for them to see the locations of events for themselves.

Charleston, S.C., at dusk on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013.

Started in 2012, Study USA is an Elon University office that coordinates a wealth of educational resources located inside the nation's borders. Study USA offers opportunities for students to travel and study at Elon-operated centers or through short-term, Elon faculty-led courses in a variety of locations across the United States.

Phil Smith is currently serving as interim director of the office, which is housed in the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center. Six academic programs this month fall under the Study USA banner, including those that have visited New York City, Kentucky, Arizona, Hawaii and Utah.

For more information on domestic study opportunities, including the upcoming "Elon in Los Angeles." and "Elon in New York City" summer programs, visit the Study USA website.

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by Eric Townsend, Staff Last Updated - 1/20/2013

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International Fellows tour the South in Study USA course

Nine students from around the world traveled to cities across the South in a class on regional culture, history, politics and more.

Assistant Professor Jason Husser (left) taught "Discovering Dixie" this month.

*****

It's easy to pick up a book or watch a documentary if you want to learn about 20th century naval history. If you want to know how it felt for thousands of sailors stationed aboard ships, many of whom hailed form the South, that might require something different -  like touring the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier.

Same goes for learning about the Civil War, Southern cuisine and culture, or the rise of industry in cities like Atlanta and New Orleans. Lectures help, but as International Fellows in a Winter Term came to appreciate firsthand, nothing tops the "feel" of visiting a place you may read about in books.

Students toured sites in Charleston, S.C., as part of "Discovering Dixie."

That General Studies course, “Discovering Dixie,” was led this month by Jason Husser in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and was among six programs organized by the university's new Study USA office.

Husser, an assistant professor and assistant director of the Elon University Poll, is himself a Southerner from southeastern Louisiana.

"To really get to know America, you really have to know the details, and that's something you can't get unless you're actually seeing it in person," Husser said. "My goal is to tell people the South is not just the story of slavery, it's not just the story of civil rights, it's also a really special place."

Overlooking the mouth of the Cooper River in Charleston.

A recent three-day visit to Charleston, S.C., included site visits to city museums and to the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point across the Cooper River from the historic French Quarter. Students toured local museums and parks while sampling Southern cuisine from some of the city’s well-known restaurants

Fellows also visited Atlanta, New Orleans and Asheville, N.C. Husser said he wanted students to develop a deeper cross-cultural competency while learning the importance of various locations and events that have shaped the course of United States history.

Politics, culture and economics are all important components to the region's ongoing growth and development.

Onboard the flight deck of the USS Yorktown (CV-10) at Patriots Point in South Carolina.

"It gives me a broader perspective, the identity of people who live in the south," said sophomore Ana Preciado of Panama City, Panama. "How do they feel about it? How did the United States grow to be what it is right now?"

Students raved about their visit to South Carolina's coastal port city, which preceded the week-long road trip through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. "I love Charleston," said sophomore Andreea Podgoreanu of Bucharest, Romania. "I love the city. It's beautiful. I like that the people are really friendly, and I like the food!"

During a fall semester course, sophomore Keegan Desilva, of Trinidad and Tobago, said he and his classmates "got to know about the Civil War and stuff like that." However, he said, it's important for them to see the locations of events for themselves.

Charleston, S.C., at dusk on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013.

Started in 2012, Study USA is an Elon University office that coordinates a wealth of educational resources located inside the nation's borders. Study USA offers opportunities for students to travel and study at Elon-operated centers or through short-term, Elon faculty-led courses in a variety of locations across the United States.

Phil Smith is currently serving as interim director of the office, which is housed in the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center. Six academic programs this month fall under the Study USA banner, including those that have visited New York City, Kentucky, Arizona, Hawaii and Utah.

For more information on domestic study opportunities, including the upcoming "Elon in Los Angeles." and "Elon in New York City" summer programs, visit the Study USA website.

Email Author Your Email *
Message *
by Eric Townsend, Staff Last Updated - 1/20/2013

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Academy Alum Finalist in International Design Competition

Academy Alum Finalist in International Design Competition Ion Popian, who received his Master of Architecture degree this year from Academy of Art University’s School of Architecture, is among the finalists of the Sukkahville 2012 design competition taking place in Toronto next week. Sponsored by the Kehilla Residential Programme, affordable housing advocates in the Toronto metro area, this annual competition challenges entrants to use the concept of temporary shelter to develop permanent solutions for affordable housing. Ion researched the history of the sukkah, a temporary shelter put up in anticipation of the ancient Jewish festival of Sukkot, and used his findings to create the Woven Sukkah. His approach and process for the weave of the sukkah also connects with the Sukkot values of uniting as community and family.

Newsfeed September 28

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