Letter-to-the-Editor: Monday lead story highlights contribution of international faculty, opinion page dissapoints
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Dear Lanthorn:
The GVSU learning community is very fortunate to have International Faculty as a key component of the faculty. According to GVSU’s Office of Human Resources, 18 percent of current faculty can be considered “international,” with education and/or childhood outside the USA. Overwhelmingly, faculty and staff at GVSU consider the fact that many of our colleagues are international as a tremendous asset, and one of the many reasons why we enjoy working and teaching here at GVSU. The perspectives they bring to classrooms, faculty meetings, and administration benefit all students. In 2011, University of Kansas researchers published a study showing that university faculty members born and educated outside of the United States are “significantly more productive than their peers.” Therefore, I applaud the Lanthorn on highlighting the contributions of Prof. Aziz Molla and other colleagues in the front page article in its Monday, Jan. 14 2013 issue.
But I was surprised and dismayed at the Lanthorn’s editorial, and student “survey,” within the same issue. It was so disappointing because it portrayed international faculty in an inaccurate and negative way: that international faculty “with heavy accents make it harder for students to learn” (p. A4). All faculty hired to teach courses at GVSU are fluent in English. Not all of us use Midwestern USA vocabulary, intonation, and pronunciation—and that is appropriate: there are many “world Englishes” used in education, commerce, and transportation around the world, all of them intelligible to English speakers. Every day, planes are safely landed by native Farsi-speaking pilots who are talking with native Danish speakers, and so on. English is the lingua franca. What may be needed is an openness and intention of successful communication so that one gets quickly accustomed to alternate tone, vocabulary, and cadences. Initially, it does take some effort for someone who’s not been exposed to the way English is spoken around the world. But it is certainly possible…and worth it.
Mark Schaub
Director
Padnos International Center
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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