Colorado College Bulletin

203 Armstrong Hall
The Ultimate Liberal Arts Experience

TIt's hard to believe that this is my seventh year at Colorado College. When I first arrived on campus in the spring of 1993, I had no idea that I would become so deeply dedicated to the college. Although the CC trustees included in my contract a provision for a sabbatical in my seventh year, such an opportunity seemed a very distant one. That time has arrived, however, and I will be away for four months in the fall of 2000.

Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, has invited me to be a visiting scholar next fall in its American Studies program. I will conduct research on Chinese higher education, offer guest lectures and seminars to Sichuan University students and faculty, and take language and painting classes to strengthen my own understanding of Chinese culture.

This opportunity represents the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. As an undergraduate, I studies Chinese history -- and I got hooked. Since then I have taken several graduate courses in Chinese and Japanese history; my travels have included several trips to East and Southeast Asia. I thought seriously about doing my PhD in Chinese history but chose public policy instead.

What does my sabbatical mean for Colorado College? A strengthened relationship with Sichuan University will expand CC's Asian Studies opportunities for both students and faculty. Through AsiaPartners we have developed ties with Fudan University in Shanghai, Tsinghua University in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and Han Nam University in Taejon, Korea. We offer numerous affiliated programs in Japan, India, and Southeast Asia as well. Thanks to the generosity of Trustee Emerita Edith Gaylord Harper '36 the Gaylord Endowment for Pacific Areas Studies provides solid backing for Asian scholarship at CC.

During my absence, former Dean Tim Fuller and Dean Dick Storey have agreed to "job share" -- Dean Fuller as acting external president (primarily for the capital campaign) and Dean Storey as internal president. I have tremendous confidence in their ability to lead the college while I am away.

Finally, I believe this exciting sabbatical trip will make me an even better president for this institution we all love. One of my priorities is intercultural experiences for all students. Now I will live what I have been facilitating for others. I consider it as the ultimate liberal arts opportunity.

For now, in addition to my regular responsibilities, I am hard at work studying Mandarin. It won't be long before I will be ordering spicy Sichuan food, negotiating the bus system in Chengdu, and talking with ordinary people-all in Chinese. So "zaijian" See you soon!

Keep tabs on President Mohrman as she travels in Asia --click here for "Postcards from China."

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