Reflect on Your CSU Career – I joined CSU as an assistant professor of political science in April 1968. I retired in June 2005 as a professor of political science and director of international programs for the University. During the intervening 37 years I enjoyed the challenge of a number of professional roles. I was a faculty leader, a scholar publishing on diverse topics, a field researcher (primarily in Botswana) exploring African politics, a teacher for student generations from the 60s to the first decade of this century, and an administrator promoting international studies and research within all CSU colleges. I worked with many colleagues as we transformed the curriculum, won outside funding including many Fulbright grants, and developed opportunities for our students to study all over the world. I was never bored! Proudest CSU Achievements – Substantially enhancing the University’s international visibility and reputation. We significantly increased our international enrollment, the number of students who participate in study abroad experiences, and our faculty Fulbright Scholars, while also developing bachelor degree programs in international business and international relations. I’m also proud that I never gave my students an objective test. They were all essay tests. Teaching is about getting students to think and write their ideas down in a compelling way. Current Involvement with CSU – I support my wife, Dr. Njeri Nuru-Holm, in her leadership of CSU’s Division of Institutional Diversity. I also contribute to the John Holm Study Abroad Opportunity Fund, which Njeri and I established some years ago, and mentor the fund’s scholarship recipients. I recently included CSU in my estate plan by establishing a bequest that will continue to support our scholarship after my death. NON-CSU ACHIEVEMENTS – Since retiring I have worked at the University of Botswana to develop an Office of International Education, similar to the one I headed at CSU. By the end of my last contract in December 2009, UB annually had more than 100 visiting international students from Europe and North America, 500 degree-seeking students from other African countries, 75 active partnerships with universities around the world, and other international connections providing staffing and resources. For me, it was most stimulating to work within the context of a developing country university promoting change rather than studying the process from outside. Last year I was invited to write several essays for the Chronicle of Higher Education reflecting on my experience. IMPORTANCE OF CSU IN MY LIFE – CSU has been a primary source of opportunity throughout my career. It has allowed me to be creative, experience the social and intellectual transformation of our nation, develop close friendships, and serve our community, all while earning a decent income. ADVICE TO TODAY’S STUDENTS – The most important value of a university education is learning to analyze one’s environment and express the resulting ideas in a compelling writing style. All else is secondary. HOW I’D LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED – As a colleague, teacher, and friend who raised issues which most others avoided. My goal has always been to upset assumptions, excite and challenge people, and get them to look at the world in new ways. 28 WWW.CSUOHIO.EDU
John Holm Professor Emeritus Political Science