From Alfred to Astrakhan – A Fulbright Semester in Russia

SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor John Buckwalter will lead off the New Horizon Forum’s spring semester events with “From Alfred to Astrakhan – A Fulbright Semester in Russia.” The event is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, in Room 215 of the School of Engineering Technology Building from 7-8:30 p.m. The public is invited and a reception with refreshments will follow.

Professor Buckwalter is the fourth Alfred State faculty member to serve as a J. William Fulbright teaching scholar. He is no stranger to foreign travel and assignments. Previously, he taught chemistry for three years in Ethiopia and has led six college study tours to Costa Rica. In 1992, he received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2000, the SUNY Board of Trustees promoted John to the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor, the highest professorial rank in the SUNY System.

Having recently returned from teaching at Astrakhan State Technical University (ASTU) in Astrakhan, Russia, http://astu.astu.org/en/, Professor Buckwalter will focus on life as an American professor in a large provincial Russian city. He will discuss students, faculty, and the culture of higher education in Russia and how it compares with university life in the United States. With his own photographs, John will offer contemporary glimpses of Russian history, art, music, and architecture, and will provide background on the Astrakhan region. He will also examine recent political developments in Russia since the Soviet system collapsed 20 years ago.

The New Horizons Forum, sponsored by the School of Arts and Sciences, showcases current scholarly, creative, and public service work by faculty, students, professional staff, and invited guests. It is guided by a campus-wide team of advisers whose goal is to enrich the intellectual life of the institution. Follow the Forum.