Conference draws teachers from across the country

Bringing together faculty and staff dedicated to the dual mission of enhancing teaching methods and engaging students was the goal of the Teaching Renewal Conference. The Program for Excellence in Teaching (P.E.T.) Office hosted its 15th annual conference this February 24-26 at Memorial Union.
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Exiled author, visiting professor calls MU home

Visiting Professor of Spanish, Donato Ndongo

The twice exiled author originally from Equatorial Guinea, Donato Ndongo, inspires his students to learn more than writing and literature in his classes. Ndongo, now a visiting professor at MU's Department of Romance Languages, hopes his students will use their knowledge to benefit other cultures.
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Indonesian magazine receives Missouri Medal of Honor

Honoring distinguised media organizations and individuals with the 2004 Missouri Medal of Honor, the School of Journalism makes special note of Tempo Weekly News Magazine, an Indonesian publication that has weathered intense political pressure for its strides to uphold journalistic integrity.
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AIEA 2005 Josephson Award Winner

Congratulations Jill Hermsen-AIEA 2005 Josephson Award Winner
The Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) awarded Jill Hersen, International Student & Scholar Services Coordinator at the MU International Center, with the Harold Josephson Award at their annual conference in Washington, D.C., February 18-19, 2005. The Josephson Award recognizes emerging leadership in international education through graduate study and research. Jill's pursuit of excellence in her graduate studies is also evident in her tireless efforts to provide quality and professional service to the MU international student community.
(Visit IPFD in April for an in-depth feature on Jill.)
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Attendance high at international student reception

Holding its first "International Student Welcome Reception," the MU International Student Council, which aims to unite international student groups on campus and to promote a global outlook on campus, exceeded turnout expectations to host more than 250 people last weekend. In the past, welcome receptions had been hosted by individual organizations held by the country of origin.
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International Fashion Show draws large audience

Captivating an audience of more than 1,200, the International Fashion Show brought a mixture of fashion, dance, and martial arts to Jesse Auditorium. Organized by the International Programming Committee, the event featured performances by seven international student organizations.
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J-School students take European media tour

Learning about European media operations first hand, thirty students from the School of Journalism traveled to Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt and Vienna as part of the European Media Study Tour. Now in its second year, the tour makes stops at the Wall Street Journal-Europe, Stars and Stripes, Marie Clair magazine and others.
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Volunteer program builds cultural exchange

Facilitating an informal forum for International students to build English skills and for MU faculty, staff, and students to build lifelong friendships, the Women's Center offers a unique opportunity to build international connections with its Language Partners Program.
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Dear Reader,

While attending MU's Annual Teaching Renewal Conference this month, I was reminded of the fact that there is an undeniable, yet often overlooked difference between leaders and mentors. While both serve a profound and meaningful purpose, it is evident that the number of leaders we will encounter during our lifetime will be far more numerous than the number of mentors that each of us will be fortunate enough to know.

While a leader hopes to speak for us, a mentor hopes to speak with us, and while a leader may hold our attention with extraordinary plans and visions of the future, it is the mentor who will captivate our hearts with extraordinary actions and guidance for the present. In America, we are in no short supply of leaders, but mentors are sometimes a bit more difficult to come by.

As I watched so many sincere and dedicated teachers participate in the conference with the intention of further honing their skills of engaging their students, I was reminded of the Chinese proverb that says, "Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand."

It is perhaps a delicate balance between being a daunting challenge and an unparalleled opportunity that a teacher holds the rare, dual ability to be both a leader and a mentor at the same time. I hope you will agree that at the University of Missouri-Columbia and certainly at IPFD the astounding talents of teachers are always held in high regard.

As always, Dear Reader, your comments and contributions are always well received.

Sincerely,

Daniel V. Botello