Fairfield University is at an exciting juncture concerning global education and social justice, which has inspired the inaugural Graduate Student Global Initiative Roundtable.

The event, taking place Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in Alumni House, concerns educating students to realize the value in other cultures and their citizens. Open to Fairfield graduate students, it was the idea of the Office of Graduate Student Life and The Graduate Student Assembly - a campus office and student organization working to improve and enrich the experience of graduate students.

"When students recognize the value of learning from other cultures, and realize the importance of community building, we can begin to build bridges and truly become 'men and women for others' both at home, and in the global community," said DGBA officer, Graduate Student Assembly Leadership Council member, and graduate student Susan Serven, president of the Chinese Language School of Connecticut.

The evening's discussion will center on education in globalization and the importance of training today's leaders to be global citizens. The speakers include Ashok Shenoy, senior vice president, RBS, and internationally best-selling author Da Chen, an MFA Creative Writing Program faculty member at Fairfield. Chen's work includes "My Last Empress," "Sounds of the River," and "Colors of the Mountain," a New York Times bestseller published in seven languages. His book, "Brothers," was awarded Washington Post Best Book of 2006.

The university strategic plan maps out Fairfield's mission of integrating the vision of globalization at every level of the institution. Curriculum, programs, and special events such as the roundtable strive to produce students whose academic, cultural, and aesthetic acumen equips them to recognize the value of others - those both similar to and different from themselves. Ultimately, the goal is to graduate students with the tools, confidence, and vision to put their unique gifts to work as successful global citizens for the benefit of their communities and the world.

This event is for Fairfield graduate students, graduate faculty and administrators. Space is limited. E-mail gradstudentlife@fairfield.edu or call (203) 254-4000 ext. 2747 to RSVP or for more information.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Graduate Student Life, the Graduate Student Assembly, the Dolan School of Business, and with generous support from the Earl and Hildagunda A. Brinkman Private Charitable Foundation.

For more info on Graduate Student Life and The Graduate Student Assembly, please visit: http://www.fairfield.edu/student/sl_grad_student_life.html

To learn more about the Dolan Graduate Business Association, visit: http://www.fairfield.edu/dsb/dsb_dgba.html

Images: The speakers at a Feb. 17 event include Ashok Shenoy (top), senior vice president, RBS, and internationally best-selling author Da Chen (bottom).

Posted On: 02-14-2011 10:02 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 200