Photo by: John Elbers II

John E. Burris

As we focus this year on Beloit College’s regular 10-year re-accreditation review, on a trustee-initiated strategic planning effort, and on the priorities of the Classic. Daring. Life-Changing. comprehensive campaign, our campus calendar has been packed with meetings, task forces, self-study committees, and visits from outside evaluators. In the course of the coming year, I will be addressing many of the priorities and challenges prompted by these discussions, both in these pages and in visits with alumni, parents, and friends around the country, for they are helping us sharpen the focus on what is important for our College.

It should come as no surprise that high on the list of strategic emphases is a concern for international inquiry and literacy. Beloit has long been a leader in internationalism and global education. Today, this emphasis is of the utmost importance.

Many academic institutions are finding that they must become more international as they face the realities of global economies, changing demographics, and increasingly important international aspects of all disciplines. From Beloit’s genesis, however, when the American Western frontier was more alien than the European homelands of its founders, Beloit College has set its graduates on a global path.

Early graduates helped shape liberal arts education in Asia and Europe and provided the foundation of the international role of Beloit. Today we are one of the most international colleges in the United States — not just “for our size” or “in the Midwest” — but in the nation. Even with the post 9/11 challenges to international exchanges, Beloit continues to set standards in internationalism and global education. New programs such as PLUS, the Department of State program that brings future leaders from the Middle East to Beloit and other leading American colleges, and my attendance at a summit in Washington on international education with the secretaries of state and education earlier this year, reflect Beloit’s important role in the field.

Support of our international programs is a critical part of Beloit’s comprehensive campaign, where almost $20 million is earmarked for endowed scholarships and international experiences. Beloit must continue to compete in this changing international setting. We must increase the number of enrolled students from around the world and fortify our reputation as an international center. This will come through endowment and budget support for expanding global programs on campus, expansion of study abroad opportunities for all students, and financial assistance to international students at Beloit and to American students going overseas.

Study abroad has the highest profile of our international programs, and we continue to be committed to providing a meaningful experience for our students through one- or two-semester programs. Indeed, Beloit is known for its emphasis on preparing students for study abroad and offering them opportunities to build on their experience upon their return to campus. Our annual international symposium, in which students present learning from abroad, is a highlight of the academic year.

Because of a willingness to adjust curricular and co-curricular programs, Beloit study abroad programs accommodate students across the curriculum. This year, nearly 50 percent of our students will change their lives through extended study in another country.

And finally, there is the critical aspect of internationalism that is found at Beloit in the intensity of on-campus programs, through rich exchanges with scholars, students, and faculty, who identify issues and international initiatives. Our goal is to increase the number of programs such as the annual Weissberg visiting professorship in international studies, which will bring international jurist Richard J. Goldstone to campus in January; the new Upton Forum, which explores global economic issues through residencies for Nobel Laureates Douglass North and Hernando DeSoto in the coming years; or our dance program, in which Russian choreographer Natasha Shirokova recently served in residency.

We continue to emphasize the internationalization of the curriculum. This year, Beloit faculty from each division will participate in workshops funded by the American Council on Education in support of this goal.

Internationalism is one of Beloit’s many strengths that will be enhanced through support of the Classic. Daring. Life-Changing. campaign. The opportunities are here to make Beloit’s academic programs more compelling, distinctive, and transformative and to preserve Beloit’s role as a leader in American and global education.

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