The Exponent - campus


11-21-2003	Previous edition: 11-20-2003

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Dean says study abroad complements education

By Liz Bower
Staff Writer

The new dean of the international programs will bring his knowledge of the importance of an international education to Purdue.

Riall Nolan was named the new dean of international programs. He will take over Jan. 1, 2004 for the interim dean, who has been with Purdue for two years.

Nolan has personally experienced the positive effects studying abroad can have on a person.

He lived over seas for nearly 20 years in England, West Africa, Tunisia, Sri Lanka and New Guinea.

Of all the places he has lived, he liked Tunisia the best.

"The Arab culture is very fascinating. In fact it was a lot more interesting than I thought. When I was there, I learned a lot more then I ever thought I would," he said.

After college Nolan was in the Peace Corps. While in the Peace Corps, his interest in anthropology grew.

"Anthropology is about discovery and understanding about ways societies are different," he said. "At Purdue, I am going to help people understand how other people think."

Nolan is looking forward to becoming a part of the Purdue family. Purdue has the largest international student population in the Big Ten and in public universities, and he is excited to be part of a diverse program.

"I'm going to be working with what I think are going to be a group of very energetic people," Nolan said.

Provost Sally Mason is looking forward to the experience Nolan will bring to Purdue.

"He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on the international affairs front. I am also very impressed with how much he engages students," Mason said.

Nolan is ready to get to work.

"As the new person, I am going to keep my mouth shut and eyes open and learn about how Purdue operates," he said. "I am also hoping to find ways to increase the impact of international programs on campus. I want to encourage more students to study over seas."

International education has a great value and impacts students’ lives more than they realize, he said.

"In the years to come, everyone at Purdue is going to have to operate in a more international world," he said.

When students study abroad, they have to interact with other cultures and when they come back, they are more mature and developed, he said.

"For me, going overseas changed my life. It gave me very interesting ideas of how I could change," Nolan said. "I became confident that if I was able to show students there are other possibilities, students would learn and change. When students come back, they have a glow in their eyes."

Nolan serves as associate provost and director of the Institute for Global Affairs at the University of Cincinnati. He received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Colgate University in New York. He then attended University of Sussex in England, where he received his Ph.D. in social anthropology.

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Dean says study abroad complements education

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