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Welcome to a new semester from the Read Center director!

Welcome back everyone! The Read Center has lots of exciting news that we want to share with you!

First, we just said goodbye to our Fulbright Pre-Academic Program. We hosted 37 Fulbright graduate students from all over the world for a four-week experience here at Kent State. Our Fulbright educators will have the opportunity to teach at local schools like Stow-Munroe Falls High School and enjoy Kent in the fall. 

In September, we will welcome 22 secondary educators to Kent State for a six-week program focused on K12 education in the United States. 

In honor of Gerald H. Read's legacy, in January 2025, the Read Center will embark on its first education abroad experience (in a long time) in collaboration with the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, taking students on a multi-disciplinary exploration of Cuba. 

Faculty are welcome to join us, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to learn more about what the Read Center is up to.

Karl Martin, Ph.D., Represents EHHS in Remembrance of Korea’s Democratic Uprising

I was fortunate to be the Education, Health and Human Services representative, funded by the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education, from Kent State as part of a peace studies exchange in Gwangju, South Korea. The Korean delegates had already visited Ohio for the May 4 remembrance, and we were to be at Chonnam National University for their May 18, observances. We engaged with the spirit and memory of Korea’s Democratic Uprising, immersed in history and culture. When David McCullough was asked if he was working on a book, he noted that they were using the wrong preposition: “I’m in the book, in the subject, in the time and the place” (McCullough, 1999, para. 22). That well-describes our teaching and learning experiences. 

The May 18, Democratic Uprising International Conference, hosted by the Korea Heritage Service, and 44th anniversary oral histories of the memory of their May 18 uprising emerged: “…when the memories of May engraved in me an immortal sage, are combined with collective memories of the community, our May could become clearer and more completed as such every single piece comes together to complete one big puzzle picture” (KIM Hokyun, May 18, 2024, p. 6). Please read Dr. Kim’s words again: engraved. He – and they - believe that preserving their tragic history is vital. They continually teach, reactivate and revitalize the history so that it is not forgotten, and through his voice I could feel an origamilike binding of the stories of May 18, 1980, in Korea and May 4, 1970, at Kent State.  Trends toward a historicism aren’t new phenomena, so continual education is vital to a democracy: “Social responsibility is integral to what we label as historical memory. Education is vital to a democracy.” (Martin, 2024, p. 127).

A memory struggle still exists at both Chonnam National and Kent State Universities. Continual inquiry, research and education are necessary to both preserve the history and apply ethics to the educative process. I have already written about the history of May 4,1970 at ������. The new wrinkle has become the braiding together of May 18 in Korea and May 4 in Kent. 

My intent is to revisit the memories of the victims’ tragic lives and history, and then synthesize the implications for teaching and learning. This will not be meant to quiet their voices, nor one that will give them peace. However, their stories may offer some amount of peace to the rest of us. Indeed, the dedicated scholars at Chonnam National University are continually doing so. They have experienced devastating tragedies on campus as at Kent State, but it is heartening that we can now come together to commemorate, learn, and understand why events like these happen and how to move forward in a positive direction. 

Finally, I would like to thank Amanda Johnson, Ph.D., at the Center for International and Intercultural Education for sending me to South Korea. It was a transformative experience.

Included are a few examples of a multitude of sites we toured that are integral to May 18, history, new to us but easily recognizable to Koreans. 

Karl Martin

Returning to Timor-Leste to Amplify Underrepresented Voices

My experience as a Fulbright Scholar at ������'s Pre-Academic Program was profoundly transformative and enriching. Hosted by the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education, this program provided me with a unique foundation for my graduate studies in the United States.

During my time at KSU, I engaged in various activities that significantly enhanced my academic and cultural preparedness. The program covered essential skills like academic writing and communication, which I know will be invaluable as I transition to my studies at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

One of the standout experiences was the chance to immerse ourselves in American nature and culture through a variety of excursions. We explored the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, marveled at Niagara Falls, and enjoyed MJ the Musical in Cleveland. Furthermore, we had the incredible opportunity to assemble a prosthetic hand for a young boy named Johnson in Tanzania through the Hands of Gratitude program.

The KSU campus, beautifully located by the river and a historic railway, offered a tranquil setting for our academic endeavors and personal reflection. Additionally, the charming little black squirrels, unique to Kent, added a delightful touch to our campus experience. We were also invited to a local artist's studio to paint our first impressions of the lush, flower-filled landscape of Kent, Ohio.

Our classes covered a wide range of topics, from leadership styles to intercultural development, which broadened my cultural understanding. These sessions allowed us to reflect on our identities as international scholars and learn from our diverse backgrounds. The book "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss, given to us by Professor Jesse, taught me valuable negotiation skills, particularly on 'tactical empathy' that I’ll apply in my academic and professional life.

I'm particularly grateful for the leadership seminars led by Dr. Amanda Johnson, which helped me identify my leadership style as a combination of being "servant and transformative." These insights will undoubtedly shape my approach to public service in the future. The support from KSU team was exceptional. Their dedication to our success made the transition to American academic life much smoother.

Now, as I embark on my master’s in public administration at SIPA, I am focusing on Economic and Political Development and Gender and Public Policy. My goal is to return to Timor-Leste equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in mainstreaming a gender-transformative agenda in my country's development. As the first full-time student from Timor-Leste at SIPA, I am committed to amplifying underrepresented voices in policymaking and bringing fresh perspectives to our national discourse. This Fulbright journey represents not just my personal growth, but also a step forward for my country, and I am excited to use this opportunity to foster positive change when I return home.

Geovânia Guterres Ornai

Paint for Peace

In honor of the International Day of Peace, we're hosting a Peace Paint activity on Friday, September 20th, at 6 p.m. This creative event is your chance to express your vision of peace through art and connect with others in our community who share the same passion. With limited space for 35 more participants, make sure to sign up early (it’s free)!

Please provide your name and contact information below to secure your spot. We can't wait to see you there! The event will be held at INCK studio at 211 Cherry Street, Kent, OH.

Past issues

Spring 2024

Fall 2023