Diplomatic Pouch

SIS Celebrates 50 Years of International Service
Message from the Dean of SIS

This is the fiftieth year of the School of International Service. As SIS's "golden anniversary year," 2007-2008 will contain many celebrations and opportunities for reflection and renewal. In fact, our golden anniversary began on June 9 when we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the SIS Building. On June 9, 1957 then-President Dwight Eisenhower, together with AU President Hurst Anderson, Methodist Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam, and SIS Dean-elect Ernest S. Griffith wielded ceremonial shovels. SIS Professor Abdul-Aziz Said, who this year celebrated his own 50 years on the AU faculty, was present as a new Assistant Professor. This June 9, speeches were made, and earth turned again, reenacted by General (ret.) Carl Reddel, Executive Director of the Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Commission (for President Eisenhower), AU Provost Ivy Broder (for President Anderson), AU Chaplain Joseph Eldridge (for Bishop Oxnam), yours truly (for Dean Griffith), and Dr. Said for the SIS faculty. The day was warm and sunny, members of the SIS 40 year reunion class of 1967 were part of the crowd, there were refreshments and photos of the 1957 groundbreaking as well as plans for the new SIS Building. Those photos and plans are still on display in the lobby of the SIS Building.

From left, Professor Abdul Aziz Said, Brig. Gen. Reddel, Interim Provost Ivy Broder, University Chaplain Joe Eldridge, and Dean Louis Goodman.

In 1957 the School's founders aimed to create an institution where young men and women would learn to "wage peace." That is what President Eisenhower urged them to do that day in his congratulatory speech. They intentionally chose the name "School of International Service" because their aim was to provide education which would empower SIS graduates to carry out international service. They knew that such service could be carried out in all walks of life – in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors – as long as the person carrying it out was aware of the moral and ethical implications of his/her decisions, and advocated for the public good.

Those of us on the 2007 SIS faculty take pride in the responsibility of sustaining this mission. Waging peace and international service are no less important today than they were 50 years ago, and the capacity of the School to carry out that mission has increased considerably. In 1957 plans were made for a school of 400 students and 20 faculty housed in a "jewel box" building next to Hurst Hall. With more than 2,500 students and more than 100 full and part-time faculty, the ideals of the SIS founders are being realized at a scale they could not have anticipated. This fact, and the need for 21st century facilities, will move American University this fall to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new SIS Building on the parking lot to the east of Bender Library. The plan is to complete the new building in 2009 and to have many celebrations along the way……starting with the groundbreaking itself!

This golden year will also be a time of reflection and renewal, remembering this history of the School of International Service and planning for its next period of growth and change. As a first step the School will host its annual "Opening" on Friday, August 24 at 4 PM in the Kay Chapel – all are invited. Soon after, on Saturday September 8, the SIS faculty will hold an all-day retreat to discuss the challenges facing SIS today. It is anticipated that each of the eight SIS fields, their faculty and students as well as their alumni will reflect deeply on what lies ahead and will engage with enthusiasm with the new strategic planning exercise which President Kerwin has announced for the university as a whole. This will be exciting and important. In the words of President Kerwin, it will be a "new day" for SIS and for AU.

SIS students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, I invite you to participate in this SIS 50th anniversary year with gusto and with delight. We are deeply grateful for the unique vision of SIS's founders and are dedicated to advancing that vision into the new century.

Happy 50 years!!

Louis W. Goodman
Dean, School of International Service