| |
J-Term 2020 #2 January 13, 2020
| |
I hope you got the Kool & The Gang reference there 😀. A big delegation from Miami University in Oxford is visiting MUDEC and Luxembourg this week, headed by Provost Jason Osborne. Read below for profiles of each of the members of the delegation and get to know someone who:
- will be impatiently watching their computer screen during the night (if not sleeping)
- plays West African drums
- had a moose as a guest at their wedding and has a jedi dog
- is an ordained minister currently writing an e-book for first time wedding ceremony officiants
- boxes and also ran the Boston Marathon
- thinks donuts and 5K races have something in common
- considers red brick a comfort visual
| |
-Study:- Profiles of the delegation from Oxford
-Engage:- Election of New Miami Luxembourg Alumni Board
- 2020 Start Me Up-Alumni and Luxembourg Digital Innovation Center launch event
-Travel: Coming soon
| |
This is Jason Osborne's first visit to Luxembourg but second consecutive Monday with a very important bowl game. If Miami didn't manage to win their bowl game last Monday night, Jason is hoping that Clemson, where he spent the previous four years working before he started at Miami last August, will win the BCS Championship game tonight.
| |
|
Cheryl Young-Assistant Provost for Global Initiatives
| |
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you go to college and what did you study? Did you study abroad? If so, where?
I grew up in, what was then, the Village of Oxford, Ohio, with my two sisters, Jamie and Suzanne. I went to Miami where I received a Bachelor’s in English Literature. I moved away from Oxford for several years after that, but… when our daughter was born, we considered where in the world we wanted to live and raise a family, and we made the decision to return to Oxford. I also returned to Miami to study and to work. I have a MEd in Educational Leadership, and along the way became a professional continuing educator, and then international educator. My doctoral dissertation focused on cultivating curiosity as an intercultural competence, and it featured a few MUDEC students.
I did not study abroad. I have traveled extensively abroad independently, and I have learned and grown a great deal in my personal and professional travel experiences. Over the past 50 years I have traveled to over 40 countries.
2. How did you end up working at Miami and tell us about your current role?
The story of how I ended up at Miami is a very long one, and I encourage anyone interested to sit down for coffee and conversation -- there are lessons in my story! In my current role, I am the Senior International Officer – Assistant Provost for Global Initiatives. In this role I oversee Education Abroad, International Student & Scholar Services, the Center for American & World Cultures, the Confucius Institute, Continuing Education, and eLearning Miami. Coming from the educational vision and philosophy that liberal education is global and lifelong, the areas of my expertise and administrative oversight blend together and support all students in experiential learning that goes beyond the traditional classroom experience. Everything we do in Global Initiatives and eLearning is beyond conventional educational encounters. Nothing we offer is required for students, but rather a choice the student makes, and we want to fully support them successfully navigate their chosen experiences – away from campus, abroad, or technologically mediated. That’s where I live… in the creative, innovative, and progressive areas of higher education and its possibilities.
3. What are you most excited about for your upcoming visit to Luxembourg?
I believe this is my twelfth visit to Luxembourg, and I’m excited to support the new Provost in his orientation to the program and location, and for the launch of the Luxembourg Digital Innovation Center internship program. I always enjoy the time I spend at the Château and in Luxembourg. The students, staff, faculty, local colleagues, and alumni here are so enthusiastic and eager to experience the global aspects of what Luxembourg and Europe have to offer! I am always looking for the ways that Oxford can better assist the Luxembourg site and program.
4. What do you like to do when you aren't on the job?
I am an avid reader – anything… fiction, non-fiction, academic, popular culture, bestsellers. Right now, coming out of my visit last week with the Miami Paris Cultural Capital program, I am re-re-reading Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. I’m also trying out some Brene Brown and Lama Surya Das’ Awakening the Buddha Within, and thoroughly enjoying the fiction of Mary Kubica, a Miami grad! I have started listening to podcasts, and really enjoying them. My favorites are Mobituaries, Revisionist History, and Accused (the first episodes feature Oxford and Miami University). I also spend time with family – my partner Tim, our daughters Nicki and Rachel, and grandchildren Natalie (third year engineering student at Ohio State), Allison, Oliver, and Elliot.
5. What is a fun fact about you that most people, especially MUDEC Méinden readers, don't know?
My favorite location in the world is generally the last place I traveled to, but there is one place where I have always felt like I am at home. It is Siena, Italy. I have an Italian grandmother from Genoa, but not sure that was why it felt like home. I had been to Siena about six times when I finally figured it out. Standing on a hill overlooking the city I saw a lot of … red (sienna) brick. I’ve decided that since I have lived in Oxford so long that red brick must be my comfort visual!
| |
Robert Bell-Interim Director of Planning, Architecture and Engineering
| |
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you go to college and what did you study? Did you study abroad? If so, where?
I got my undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech in Architecture. Much much later I got a master’s In architecture from Miami. I did not study abroad but was able to go to Europe twice in high school.
2. How did you end up working at Miami and tell us about your current role?
I followed my wife to Miami. She teaches in the College of Creative Arts. I was in the Gerontology graduate certificate program thinking I was going to focus my private practice on spaces for aging, when I got a job as project manager for physical facilities. I am currently the interim university architect and director of planning, architecture, and engineering. I oversee campus planning and any construction that happens on all of Miami’s campuses.
3. What are you most excited about for your upcoming visit to Luxembourg?
II have several friends and colleagues who have attended or taught in the MUDEC program and have told me how much they enjoyed their experience. I am excited to be able to have some shared experiences with all of them.
4. What do you like to do when you aren't on the job?
Run, read graphic novels, cook, and play games with my family.
5. What is a fun fact about you that most people, especially MUDEC Méinden readers, don't know?
I play West African drums
| |
|
Kim Tavares-Executive Director, Alumni Association
| |
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you go to college and what did you study? Did you study abroad? If so, where?
I grew up just south of Oxford in Hamilton, Ohio. I did my undergraduate work at The George Washington University in Washington DC and majored in international affairs with a specialty in communications. I was supposed to study abroad in Spain but the program was canceled at the last minute. So I took the money I saved and visited my brother and his family in Morocco (my sister-in-law works for the US Foreign Service - they are also a MUDEC Merger) and made a few stops in Spain (I made it!) over my spring break the following year.
2. How did you end up working at Miami and tell us about your current role?
After college, I lived and worked in the DC area for 10 years. It got to be too expensive and we wanted to raise our kids near family. There was an opening in Miami's advancement communications group that mirrored the work I had been doing at a non-profit in DC. I got the job and worked my way up over the next eight years. In 2017, I was appointed to my current role of Associate Vice President and Executive Director, Miami University Alumni Association. I oversee a team of 14 that manages the connections, reunions and lifelong education of Miami's more than 220,000 alumni around the world. Every day is a different day, and I love the variety and the people I get to work with and meet.
3. What are you most excited about for your upcoming visit to Luxembourg?
This will be my second trip to Luxembourg and I think I'm more excited now than the first time because I know how amazing it is: the country, the people, the fries at Oscars in the Grund (yum)...
4. What do you like to do when you aren't on the job?
Even though I travel a lot for work, I like to travel with my family - my husband and our two kids. I also make a point to go on a short trip with each of my kids (individually) during the year.
5. What is a fun fact about you that most people, especially MUDEC Méinden readers, don't know?
My family and I walked really, really fast (#notarunner) in our first 5K this summer (that's me after the 5K in the picture). It was called the Donut Judge Me 5K: they handed out donuts (big ones!) at the two water stops and at the end of the course; and it had the best medal of any 5K (a smiley donut guy with arms AND feet). We ended up having a great time and have since done a 5K on Thanksgiving and plan to do another this spring.
| |
|
Jill Gaby-Assistant Vice President for Development
| |
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you go to college and what did you study? Did you study abroad? If so, where?
I went to Miami University and studied speech communication. My biggest regret of my four years at Miami is not studying abroad, so I am making up for it now with this being my third visit to Luxembourg.
2. How did you end up working at Miami and tell us about your current role?
My entire career has been devoted to philanthropy, and I have spent about 80% of my career in higher education fundraising. I have been working for Miami for 15 years, and my current role is Assistant Vice President of Development, Regional Programs. I also am co-director for the MUDEC Campaign with Mike Scott. I am blessed with this role so that I can finally see what the study abroad experience is like.
3. What are you most excited about for your upcoming visit to Luxembourg?
Running in the Petrusse valley in Luxembourg City, visiting the Château in Differdange, and enjoying the people, food and wine!
4. What do you like to do when you aren't on the job?
Anything to keep me active (running, boxing, lifting weights), cooking for others, spending time with family and friends and hanging out with my black Labrador “Logan” (who is a she).
5. What is a fun fact about you that most people, especially MUDEC Méinden readers, don't know?
I used to be a marathon runner and ran the Boston Marathon ten and a half years ago. I have since hung up my marathon shoes and enjoy much shorter and slower runs.
| |
|
Mike Scott-Senior Director of Development
| |
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you go to college and what did you study? Did you study abroad? If so, where?
I am a fellow Miami alumnus, having graduated in 2009, with a degree in Political Science. I served as Student Body President during Miami's Bicentennial my Senior Year, and as a result, opted not to study abroad. I am a Miami Merger, however, and my wife studied at MUDEC! It was a transformative experience for her.
2. How did you end up working at Miami and tell us about your current role?
I am currently the Senior Director of Development for Regional Programs and the Co-Campaign Manager for the MUDEC Campaign. I reside in Washington, D.C. and work to engage alumni on the East Coast with the University on a number of fronts, primarily focusing on philanthropic investment.
3. What are you most excited about for your upcoming visit to Luxembourg?
On this upcoming trip, I am most looking forward to reconnecting with friendly faces in Luxembourg while meeting new alumni and MUDEC partners. Naturally, I've also missed Bofferding since my last trip to Luxembourg for the MUDEC 50th celebrations in 2018 and can't wait to grab a pint once back in the country.
4. What do you like to do when you aren't on the job?
My wife, Torey, and I are expecting our first child in April, so most of my non-work time is currently devoted to learning as much as I can about parenting and preparing for our baby girl to arrive!
5. What is a fun fact about you that most people, especially MUDEC Méinden readers, don't know?
Most people don't know that I am an ordained minister. I have presided over three weddings and am just finishing the process of writing an e-book on how first-time officiants can successfully oversee a wedding ceremony.
| |
|
Emily George-Associate Director, Alumni Engagement
| |
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you go to college and what did you study? Did you study abroad? If so, where?
Moien readers! I am Emily George Beliveau, I am the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement. I went to University of New Hampshire and studied abroad in London my Senior year. Like all of you, my study aboard experience shaped the person I am today, and I still spend a couple weeks each year with a backpack and in hostels overseas. I'll eventually grow tired of washing clothes in a sink, but for now it's led me to some pretty rad adventures. I just got home from a two-week Christmas/honeymoon backpack trip with my husband.
2. How did you end up working at Miami and tell us about your current role?
My now husband's role was moved from New Hampshire to the mid-west and we decided it was time to leave the comforts of home to shake things up. My previous role was working in alumni relations at my alma mater, so when I saw this job at Miami I applied immediately and thankfully got the role. I didn't know what to expect from Miami, but I am so unbelievably grateful for the opportunities and the alumni I have met! I work with the MUDEC Alumni Board as their alumni association liaison, this is a newer group to me, but I am amazed at how much love they have for the program and for the institution. It's cheesy, but their passion makes my day-to-day that much more fun!
3. What are you most excited about for your upcoming visit to Luxembourg?
I am excited to see the place that the alumni board members have all described to me with heart eyes. It's easy to look at pictures online but being able to actually be there and meet the employees of the Luxembourg campus will be a thrill! We have some cool events to look forward to, and excited/engaged alumni to talk with!.
4. What do you like to do when you aren't on the job?
Travel, try new foodie spots around Cincinnati with friends, laugh, and hang with my hubby and dogs (Cheddar, 2 and Obi Wan Kenobi, 5).
5. What is a fun fact about you that most people, especially MUDEC Méinden readers, don't know?
I was married this past September; we rented a summer camp where I grew up in the mountains and hosted an adult summer camp themed weekend. Kickball tourney, archery, kayaking, a grilled cheese food truck, etc. It was wicked fun, and the best day(s) of my life. A moose even attended!
| |
Did you know that over 300 Luxembourgers have studied at Miami in Oxford over the years? In December, the local Alumni Chapter known as MUAALC (Miami University Alumni Association Luxembourg Chapter) had a general assembly to elect a new Board.
The new President? A name familiar to almost all MUDECers, Georges Lentz!
| |
|
2020 Start Me Up Alumni + Internship Launch Event
| |
Thanks to our partners at the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) who provided the facility, and on the occasion of the visit of the delegration from Oxford, the Miami Luxembourg Alumni Chapter is holding its first event of 2020. Titled 2020 Start Me Up, not only will this event celebrate the start of a new year (decade?), it will celebrate the start of the new Board, and also the start of the upcoming Luxembourg Digital Innovation Center internship program. The companies participating in the first semester of the program, and those who have expressed interest in joining in the future, have been invited as guests as they enter the Miami Luxembourg community.
| |
Monday-Friday: No classes
Wednesday: 2020 Start Me Up Event at the House of Startups
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
| |
Château HoursMonday-Friday: 8:00-17:00Saturday- Sunday: Closed
Administrative Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00
| |
| Follow MUDEC on Social Media
| |
We are happy to share MUDEC events and news with all of you! If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter per GDPR, please unsubscribe below.
| |
|
|
|
|
