Diplomatic Pouch

SIS News – Spring 2007

SIS Professor Deborah Brautigam Receives Grant from German Marshall Fund:
SIS Professor Deborah Brautigam has received a grant from the German Marshall Fund to support her research on China's “new” aid programs in Africa. The grant will fund travel to Africa, data collection, the writing of a paper, and events in both Europe and the United States to publicize the findings. Professor Brautigam teaches in SIS's International Development Program.

50th Anniversary of Groundbreaking:
On June 9, the SIS community commemorated the groundbreaking of the SIS building.

SIS Professors study sustainability in the world context:

Stacy Aldinger wins AU's top undergrad award:
Stacy Aldinger, SIS ’07, was named the winner of the 2007 President’s Award. Other SIS students who were honored included Anisa Nishat Ismail, Benjamin Ryan Murray, and Manan K. Shah.

SIS Grad Leo Suryadinata delivers Hunsberger lecture:
Leo Suryadinata, PhD, SIS 1975, a respected Singapore-based scholar and author, delivered the 10th annual Warren Hunsberger Lecture titled "China and Ethnic Chinese in a Globalizing Southeast Asia."

Alumna Sherry Mueller honored for her service to SIS
Sherry Mueller '65, president of the National Council for International Visitors, was recognized during the SIS 49th anniversary celebration on April 12, at the German embassy.

Two Long-time SIS Professors Retire
In the Spring of 2007, Professors Duncan Clarke and Hamid Mowlana retired after over 70 years of combined service to AU.

Prof. Deborah Brautigam recognized for Outstanding Teaching
Professor Deborah Brautigam has received the Outstanding Teaching in a Fulltime Appointment Award from American University. The award, which is granted by a vote of her fellow faculty members, includes a cash prize and is based upon excellence in teaching as documented by student evaluations and feedback, success of former students, and integration of innovative approaches to learning.

SIS Alumnus Curtis Harris one of four AU Killam Award winners.
The Killam Fellowships Program is designed to encourage exceptional undergraduate students in Canada and the United States by providing a unique opportunity for formal student exchange. The four AU students who were awarded fellowships this year will study in Canadian universities during the 2007–08 academic year. In addition, AU will host two Canadian students beginning next fall.

SIS graduate student Alice Shukla wins Critical Language Scholarship:
The competition for the Critical Language Scholarships was particularly stiff this year, with approximately 6,000 applicants vying for just 350 scholarships.

The Department of State's Critical Language Scholarships provide funding for intensive overseas study of "critical need" languages. This scholarship will allow Alice to participate in the Beginning Turkish Intensive Language Program this summer. Her human rights policy research has focused on Greece and the Balkans; this additional language training will allow her to expand her studies to include Turkey. She anticipates a career in public service, either with the U.S. Department of State, or with an international organization.

20 SIS Students are Presidential Management Fellow Finalists:
The American University PMF contingent of 37 graduate and law students is the third largest in the nation.

SIS Student Is One of Two AU Truman Scholarship Winners:
Anna Carpenter, a junior at SIS, joined JoAnna Smith of the School of Public Affairs to give American University two Truman Scholarship winners for the first time since 1990.

SIS Master's Program Ranked in Top 10:
A recent Foreign Policy magazine survey named the School of International Service as a top-10 school for students seeking international relations master's degrees.

SIS Undergrad Josh Glenn Wins NCAA Wrestling Title: Glenn's 6-4 win in overtime over Kurt Backes of Iowa State wins the 197 lb. weight class championship at the NCAA tournament in Michigan.