International living-learning lectures draw standing-room only crowds
Despite beautiful weather and the start of fall
break, more than 70 people crowded into a room at the Reves Center for
International Studies on October 7 to hear new Director and Vice Provost for
International Affairs Dr. Stephen Hanson speak on “20 Years After the Collapse
of the USSR – What Have We Learned?”
Dr. Hanson’s lecture was this year’s second Reves Hall Coffee Hour, a program of the Reves Hall international living-learning community at the College of William & Mary. The first installment, “Criminal ‘Justice’ in Cambodia” was presented to a capacity crowd by law students Alison Rabe and Ena Dion. Both are past volunteers with International Bridges to Justice in Cambodia.
The third and final Reves Hall Coffee Hour of the semester, “Grassroots Community Improvement of Maternal Child Health in Kenya,” was presented by Dr. Camilla Buchanan on November 11. Dr. Buchanan, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, is a co-founder of the Maasai American Organization (MAO) and regular visitor to Losho, Kenya.
“The series was very popular this semester; most of the events were standing-room only,” said Eva Wong, International Student and Scholar Advisor with the Office of International Students, Scholars, and Programs. “The events are open to the public, and I invite all W&M faculty, staff, and students, as well as Williamsburg community members, to participate in future Coffee Hours. We are now in the process of putting together our Spring 2012 calendar, so please check our Reves Hall Coffee Hour webpage for updates!”
In the past, Reves Hall Coffee Hours were weekly, informal meetings for the residents of the Reves residence hall to gather and discuss the topics of the day. These chats eventually evolved into structured, monthly programs with a featured speaker. In addition to a more formal schedule, the Coffee Hours also were opened to the public.
According to Hee Baek, Fall 2011 Student Program Coordinator of Reves Hall, “Reves supports its residents to share their interest in different cultures, international relations and politics, and exchange broad knowledge on global affairs. In order to nourish their growing interest and knowledge, Reves Hall provides different types of hall activities throughout the academic year, centered on the theme of international affairs.”
More information on the spring 2012 Reves Hall Coffee Hour speaker series will be announced in January.
