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News Release

Contact: Tom Parisi, NIU Office of Public Affairs
(815) 753-3635

November 3, 2005

NIU plans activities for International Education Week

DeKalb, Ill. — Several events on campus will mark International Education Week at Northern Illinois University, including a reception recognizing the university's Outstanding International Educator for 2005 and a presentation by a visiting Fulbright scholar from the Gaza Strip on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, International Education Week is celebrated on campuses nationwide from Nov. 14-18.

“The week gives us a unique opportunity to promote the benefits of international education and exchange and to express appreciation for students and scholars who study and teach here,” said Deborah Pierce, executive director of International Programs at NIU. “We commend all at NIU who build and strengthen bridges of international understanding by organizing and participating in exchange programs.”

The annual International Recognition Reception will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center. Provost Ivan Legg will speak at the reception. The Outstanding International Educator Award will be presented to an NIU faculty member who has contributed significantly to international education through his or her teaching, research, public service and student service. New this year, International Programs also will honor the department that has made the most significant contribution to the internationalization effort across campus.

Other highlights of International Education Week include:

  • A Nov. 14 faculty panel discussion on the topic, “Ethnicity, Gender, and Class: The Role of Social Movements in Advancing International Justice and Peace.” Sociologist Kay Forest will moderate as faculty members share valuable insights on their regions of expertise. Panelists will include Margaret Mbilizi (Africa), Laurel Jeris (Asia) and Julio Rique (Latin America). The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center.
  • A Nov. 15 reception for international exchange scholars and visitors from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center. Visiting Fulbright Scholar Awni Al Karzon will deliver a presentation titled, “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Is Peace Possible?” Al Karzon is a professor in the Department of English at Al-Azhar University, Gaza.
  • A Nov. 16 reunion of students who studied abroad during fall 2004, spring 2005 and summer 2005. The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in the NIU Study Abroad Office, Williston 417.
  • A Nov. 17 induction ceremony held by the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society, Zeta Gamma Chapter. The honor society for international scholars will be inducting NIU President John Peters as an honorary member, recognizing his contributions to the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Commission, a blue-ribbon panel looking at ways to increase international exchange. Peters will speak about his vision of NIU as a global university. The invitation-only event will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center.

A full schedule of events for International Education Week is available online at http://www3.niu.edu/intl_prgms/intweek.htm.

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