Panel Discusses International Relationships outside of MSU

By: Christian Hokans

With friends, entertainment and food all readily available, it can seem like the entire world is bundled up into the campus here at Michigan State University. MSU, however, has been venturing out into the world beyond the realm of the Red Cedar for decades now. This international engagement was the hot topic when the Director of the United Nations Information Office in Washington D.C. came to campus over the weekend. After meeting with students and faculty all day, Director William Davis participated in a three-part panel on Monday night at the Kellogg Center to discuss the relationship between MSU, the United States, the U.N., and the rest of the world. The discussion also included Chris Holman and Dr. John Hudzik.

Eric Freedman, the Assistant Dean of International Studies and Programs introduced the speakers. Freedman also added that the event was commemorating the 64th anniversary of the founding of the U.N. which took place on October 24.

Dr. John Hudzik, Vice President of Global Engagement and Strategic Projects at MSU, took the stage first. Dr. Hudzik started out by telling the story of MSU’s long commitment to international affairs. Dr. Hudzik said this engagement started in the years immediately following World War II. He said that this history of outreach actually went back much farther as he brought up MSU’s land grant history; MSU was one of the first institutions to make higher education available to the average person and is still concerned with advancing education today.

“MSU’s land grant has now become a world grant,” Hudzik said.

He emphasized the scope of Michigan State’s study abroad programs, research on international problems, and large population of foreign students. Hudzik went on to emphasize that MSU has to continue to widen its international presence to compete.

William Davis took the stage telling a story of how he watched U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, President Bush, and Vice President Cheney have a very productive meeting – the day after an unfortunate hunting accident occurred involving the Vice President. He told this to dispel the common belief that the U.S. and the U.N. have a rocky relationship, and then went on to tell about the U.N.’s truly global presence.

Davis told of how the U.N. sets business standards for everything from airports to cell phones around the world. He ended his speech by reaffirming that the U.S. cannot ignore the U.N.

“We live in a world where pulling your head back into your shell isn’t possible – even for the world’s lone superpower,” Davis said.

Next came a short address from Chris Holman, a well known civic leader and business owner in the Lansing area, on the important role of small business in the global marketplace. Holman highlighted the role small business is playing in Michigan.

“Small business is providing net job growth in Michigan,” Holman said.

He then went on to say that small businesses too can take advantage of the new global marketplace.

The presentation was concluded with a question and answer session that included such topics as refugee health care, sustaining America’s life style and meeting the millennium development goals. As the crowd shuffled out, this reporter too returned to that seemingly enormous campus called home. Only now realizing the important fact that navigating this globalized world will require a level of involvement never seen before. Strolling over the rippling Red Cedar, and passing the imposing Breslin Center, it suddenly became apparent that this campus extends much farther than it seems, much farther indeed.