International Alumni Newsletter December 11, 2013
“Like the Thoroughbreds we are named for, Racers are spirited and proud. We have the heart and will to succeed, to go farther, learn more and embrace wisdom. We are champions who take our place in the Murray State tradition.� Dear Murray State University Alumnus ,
The Institute for International Studies, located in Woods Hall, has seen a lot of change over the last want to go above and beyond what is expected for this department and its international students. Since 2010, our full-time international student undergraduate enrollment has increased by 84.3%, based on our Fall 2013 count. The full-time international student graduate enrollment has increased, as well, by 36%. That is an amazing jump in the last three years! In fact, our undergraduate and graduate part-time student enrollment continues to grow as well. These students are full-time ESL students who have felt comfortable enough with their newly advanced English skills to take on the challenge of one or two mainstream college level classes. With a student body of approximately 11,000, these statistics make Murray State University’s campus very diverse, internationally, culturally, and linguistically. As you can see, your choice to attend and graduate from Murray State University is one that other students have followed as well because they recognized, just as you did, that we prepare graduates to function in a culturally diverse, technologically oriented society and increasingly interdependent world. The University is committed to international education as an integral dimension of the university experience. We hope that you have taken your knowledge and experience from our college and our town, and used it to your fullest advantage to succeed. If you are thinking about continuing your education and receiving a graduate degree, you are always welcome back home at Murray State. Furthermore, if you know of friends, family members or colleagues looking to continue their education in the United States, remember to tell them what a wonderful experience you had at Murray State University. Best wishes, Dr. Luis Canales Director, Institute for International Studies lcanales@murraystate.edu
News from Murray Friendliest Small Town in America In 2012, the Best of the Road contest — sponsored by Rand McNally in collaboration with USA TODAY voted Murray, Kentucky as the Friendliest Town in America. What made it stand out: Since it's located less than a half hour from Kentucky Lake and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, the town is a hub for such outdoor activities as hiking, camping, swimming, and anywhere else," Jordan and Schatz say. Its residents, "had a way of bringing you in, and we made friends. This is the only town where we went into people's homes." Don't miss: Created by a dam on the Tennessee River, 184-mile-long Kentucky Lake is lined with campsites and state and private marinas that rent houseboats, pontoons, sailboats and other craft. Biggest surprise: The scenic campus of basketball-crazed Murray State University— home of the "shoe tree," where college alumni who met their sweethearts at school return to attach one shoe from each partner. Read more Murray Sells Liquor It used to be when someone from Murray said they were driving “down South”, they meant they changed. Now, a trip down South means Florida, and residents of Murray have a variety of stores in town to purchase their favorite alcoholic beverages. Some of your favorite restaurants have included a separate bar for their patrons, like Jasmine’s. The book store that was in the plaza next to Don even have a tasting bar to show you how to make specialty drinks.
Meet the International Student Advisers Bill McKibben Bill began his career at Murray State University in 2001, as a Special Programs Coordinator in the ESL program. By 2003, Bill was promoted to ESL Student Advisor, and in 2005 became the International Student Advisor for Murray State University international students. In 2009, Bill became the Associate Director for International Students and Scholar Services, and in 2012, he took over responsibilities you can see, Bill has been very busy with his various job roles, but his focus on the students and their success has not changed. He received his Bachelor’s degree in History from Tennessee Technological University, and his Master’s degree in TESOL from Mur-
ray State. After graduating, he lived in Korea for a few years where he learned to speak Korean, and even learned how to read and write it, which is not an easy task to master. Through his love of travel, Bill has visited Japan, Thailand, China, Panama, and Germany. He states he would love to go back to Germany, and has hopes to visit Taiwan. “The best thing I like about my job is being able to meet new students every year. It is my hope that the alumni are successful and have wonderful memories of their time at Murray State and the IIS Department. It has been really nice seeing the pictures that some of our alumni have shared with us. The photos are reminders of the great memories you shared with us at MSU. I encourage all alumni to send us updates so we can share them in future newsletters.” Brittany Fentress In 2012, Brittany joined the IIS department and family to serve as an International Student Advisor. History from Murray State, and received her Master’s degree in Global and International Citizenship Education from the University of York. She’s a world traveler and looks forward to more traveling in the future. She speaks English, some Spanish, and is currently learning French. In her spare time she participates in the Study Abroad program, serving as an advisor, and also gives hours to events for Richmond College. “My favorite part of this job is helping students work out problems,” says Brittany. Her dedication shows in the work she does. Misty Brown Lanham
Misty has worked as an International Student Advisor for the last three years. Prior to that, she served as the ESL Admissions Clerk. Within the last two years, Misty has also taught YNL (Youth and Leadership) 290. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Advertising, with a Minor in Youth and Leadership. Misty also has a Master’s degree in Human Development with an emphasis in Youth and Leadership. She says she loves her job because she enjoys meeting new stu-
how hard it was to be in a new environment and how hard it was to communicate. I just my eyes to the struggles they face.”
Alumni Update always pleased to hear about your success. Here are a few people who have kept us in the loop. We are so proud of them. We’d like to hear about what you have been up to as well. Send us an email with pictures and updates so we can include it in our next Alumni Newsletter. Our email: msu.intl@murraystate.edu
Salwa Jorho – Morocco Salwa came to Murray State University from Morocco, and graduated in 2006, with a Master’s in Business Administration. She is currently a Senior Analyst at the Rasmala Investment Bank Ltd. in the Dubai International Financial Centre of Dubai, UAE.
Gautham U. Rao – India Gautham came to Murray State University from India, and graduated in 2005, with a Master’s degree in Economics. Currently, Gautham lives in Minneapolis, MN with his wife Nisha, where he manages a mobile business for Target Corp. They have a dog, a cat, and now a baby girl on the way! Congratulations, Rao Family!
Guadalupe Valdes – Panama Guadalupe came to Murray State University from Panama, and graduated in 2004, with a Master’s in Business Administration. After graduation, Guadalupe moved to Michigan and worked at GreenPath until the end of 2008. In 2009, she married Sebastian, her college sweetheart, and moved to Germany where she began taking classes in German. Guadalupe completed her language program in 2011. Currently, Guadalupe works for DB Schenker at the airport in Stuttgart, along with a permanent contract in the accounting department for European services.
Amele Lolo Amegnran – Togo Amele came to Murray State University from Togo, and graduated in 2005, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Since graduating, Amele is the owner of an online clothing business, and also serves as the secretary and operations manager for Zsquare4theCure. She lives in Michigan with her husband and son.
Elena Vassiliou & Constantinos Charallambous – Cyprus Elena and Constantinos came to Murray State University from Cyprus. Elena graduated in 2005, with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and received her Master’s degree in TESOL in 2007. Immediately after graduation, Elena returned to Cyprus and began working for a private English Language Center teaching English to speakers of other languages. Constantinos received his Master’s degree in Marketing in 2007. After graduation he also returned to Cyprus, and manages a multi-events center.Elena and Constantinos are married and have one son. Nathalie Schellhorn – Germany Nathalie came to Murray State University from Germany, and graduated in 2012, with a Master’s in Business Adminstration. After graduation, Nathalie returned to Germany, where she completed her German MBA. Since May 2013, Nathalie has been working in the controlling