UVU and Higher School of Economics faculty that participated in the development seminar in Nizhny Novogorod, Russia, (l-r): Valerii Zusman (Higher School of Economics humanities professor), Marina Tsvetkova (Higher School of Economics English professor), Natal'ia Gronskaia (Higher School of Economics vice provost), Michael Minch (UVU Peace & Justice Studies director), Wioleta Fedeczko (UVU assist. professor of English & literature) and Vessela Ilieva (UVU assist. professor of elementary education)
University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Cheryl Kamenski, (801) 863-6351
Three Utah Valley University professors recently spent nearly two weeks collaborating with faculty at the Higher School of Economics, located in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, to design courses for summer study programs that will begin in 2013 and to become acquainted with the educational opportunities that the city and surrounding areas offer.
This is a result of UVU’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences memorandum of understanding with the Russian university signed last November to build a relationship that promotes cultural and educational exchange.
Russian and American relations beginning with the Cold War and into the transition to post-Soviet society was the guiding theme for the curriculum development.
“This will be a very unique study abroad possibility for UVU students,” said Frederick H. White, associate dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. “This engaged learning opportunity will allow UVU students to interact with Russian professors and students, to experience life in Russia and to expand their understanding of global issues.”
The summer study lectures offered to UVU students will be in English, with the opportunity for UVU students to meet with a Russian cohort to discuss issues including human rights, democratic principles of government, intercultural communication and political rhetoric.
This professional development opportunity and the resulting study abroad program were initially completed to support UVU’s International Center Global Spotlight: Eurasia activities, with the intent to bring greater awareness of this region to UVU students and the Utah Valley community. However, with such a strong initial response from the Russian university, UVU anticipates further development of this academic agreement eventually to include faculty exchanges and cooperative student research projects.
Alexey Semyonov, president and director of the Andrei Sakharov Foundation, will lecture on defense of human rights in Russia at Utah Valley University Sept. 18. The Sakharov Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and memory of Nobel Peace Prize-winner Andrei Sakharov, the promotion of his ideas and the defense of human rights.
University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Cheryl Kamenski (801) 863-6351
Utah Valley University’s Woodbury Art Museum is partnering with the Center for Global & Intercultural Engagement to present “Global Spotlight Russia: Pastoralism” starting with an Oct. 16 reception at 7 p.m. The exhibition will be on display at the museum through Dec. 15.
The exhibition brings together more than 60 paintings and drawings from several private collections in Utah, many of which have never been displayed publicly. The artworks span over three decades of Soviet-era landscapes and pastoral scenes from the 1950s to the 1980s.
“We are once again glad to be part of the Global Spotlight program, offering a view into Eurasian cultures through art,” said Melissa Hempel, UVU Woodbury Art Museum interim director/creator. “We hope many students and residents have a chance to experience the exhibition, which wouldn’t have been possible without the generous collectors who loaned their priceless works of art.”
“Global Spotlight Russia: Pastoralism” is part of UVU’s greater Global Spotlight: Eurasia program. A second rotation of Soviet era works will follow the pastoralism show. “Global Spotlight Russia: Military” is scheduled to open in January 2013.
The museum’s Linda and Malan Jackson Collection of Mongolian Art will also be on display in the Permanent Collection galleries. Many opportunities to learn more about the artwork and cultural components are available. Art Talks will take place at the museum on Oct. 30 and Dec. 4 at 7p.m.
These collections are free and open to the public. UVU’s Woodbury Art Museum is open Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is located in the University Mall, 575 W. University Parkway in Orem, on the second floor between the Gap and the former Nordstrom store that is currently vacant.
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University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Jim Rayburn (801) 863-8504
Utah Valley University’s Percussion UVU will present “A Russian Holiday” Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sorensen Student Center Grande Ballroom.
The concert will embody music by Russian nationalist composers like Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky, along with contemporary masterpieces for the Percussion Ensemble that relate in a creative way to UVU’s 2012-2013 focus on Eurasia.
David Gillingham’s “Stained Glass” evokes different variations of light passing through stained glass. Percussion UVU’s interpretation of “Sinister Minister” by Béla Fleck (named after Hungarian composer Béla Bartok) blends David Steinquest’s Percussion Ensemble arrangement with the original jazz combo version with members from the UVU Jazz Ensemble.
Further complimenting the range of styles, Percussion UVU presents a classical work by Czech composer Stamitz. Here, too, the ensemble enhances the arrangement with upright bass, harpsichord, oboe and French horn to offer a more authentic ‘period’ interpretation.
“The ensemble members are anticipating this performance with great enthusiasm,” said Doug Smith, UVU assistant professor and percussion area coordinator. “The expansive variety of instruments, timbres, and musical styles are a perfect platform for the high level of talent, skill, and dedication Percussion UVU unites in presenting ‘A Russian Holiday.’ I believe the evening is guaranteed to offer an explosive yet subtle dynamic spectrum that infuse audience members with memorable tunes in their ears and driving rhythm in their steps.”
University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Jim Rayburn (801) 863-8504
In conjunction with Global Spotlight Eurasia, a program presented by Utah Valley University’s Center for Global & Intercultural Engagement, the Woodbury Art Museum will host an exhibit of Russian military and industrial art Jan. 19-March 2.
The museum will hold an opening reception on the exhibit and catalog release on Jan. 22 from 6-8 p.m.
“This exhibition chronicles the daily realities of the Soviet Union’s military industrial complex, from 1950 through 1980,” said Melissa Hempel, interim director/curator of the Woodbury Art Museum.
On exhibit will be various works from local collectors, many of which have been carefully restored and never before seen in public. On display will be large-scale paintings to small studies and drawings. Also, to enhance the artistic historical accounts, the museum will show a video history prepared especially for the Russian art exhibition.
“Global Spotlight Russia: Military” is the second Soviet era collection displayed at the museum as part of the Global Spotlight: Eurasia program. In the fall, the museum had a two-month exhibit on “Global Spotlight Russia: Pastoralism.”
“This is another great opportunity for UVU’s students and the general public to learn about Soviet history and see some great pieces of art,” Hempel said.
Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday. Admission to the museum, located on the second floor of University Mall, 575 W. University Parkway in Orem, is free and open to the public.
University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Layton Shumway (801) 863-6863
Utah Valley University is hosting a delegation of five Ukrainian leaders as they discuss the role of legislatures with Utah lawmakers and officials as part of the Open World Program. The discussions began on Feb. 1 and will continue through Feb. 9.
“Ukraine is a country vital to the United States’ interests in Eastern Europe,” said Rusty Butler, associate vice president of International Affairs & Diplomacy. “Its pro-Western leanings make it an anomaly among its neighbors, something we wish to have our students learn firsthand. This delegation of key decision makers will have great influence among their peers while allowing our students and faculty to engage with them.”
Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, Open World enables emerging Eurasian political and civic leaders to work with their U.S. counterparts and experience American-style democracy at the local level.
Staff members for Rep. Jason Chaffetz and Sen. Orrin Hatch, members of the Utah Legislature, the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, Orem and Lehi city officials, Utah County commissioners, the World Trade Center of Utah, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, KSL Newsradio, and the Utah State Tourism Office are also meeting with the delegation.
The delegates are staying with local families to experience American family life. They will also take part in several cultural and community activities, including a tour of the Utah Olympic Park and Utah historical sights, a potluck dinner with members of the Ukrainian Utah community, and participation in the Utah County Commissioners public meeting.
The Open World Leadership Center has awarded a grant to FHI 360 to administer this and similar exchanges in 2013.
The Open World Program is a unique, nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Congress designed to build mutual understanding between the United States and Eurasia. Over 19,000 Open World participants have been hosted in all 50 U.S. states since the program’s inception in 1999. Delegates range from members of parliament to mayors, from innovative nonprofit directors to experienced journalists, and from political party activists to regional administrators.
University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert
Written by: Heather Wrigley
At 3 p.m., on March 28, Andrei Dapkiunas, Belarus’ ambassador to the United Nations, will lecture on “Dynamic Belarus and Its Challenges in Europe” at Utah Valley University. The event is sponsored by the Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy and the Center for Global & Intercultural Engagement and will take place on the fourth floor the UVU Library, in the Timpanogos Room. It is free and open to the public.
“Belarus is a very distinctive European nation,” Rusty Butler, associate vice president for the Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy, said. “There is no Belarus Ambassador in the U.S. and vice versa, although each has a mission with a charge d’affaires in their respective national capitals. Ambassador Dapkiunas is the highest ranking official of the country in the U.S., and his presentation on Belarus in Europe will be a historic and extremely informative event for the UVU community.”
Dapkiunas has been a member of Belarus’ Board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2002. He previously served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as director of the Americas Department, head of the Office for the United States and Canada and assistant to the minister.
Dapkiunas holds a doctorate in political science from Belarusian State University and a higher education diploma in languages from the Minsk State Institute for Foreign Languages. His knowledge of languages includes Belarusian, English, French, Polish and Russian.
He and his wife, Olga, have a daughter, Alena, and a son, Hleb.
David H Gray, Visiting Professor of Criminal Justice, has been at Campbell since August 2011. He is a native of California and completed his undergraduate work at Brigham Young University and holds a doctorate from the University of Southern California. A retired U.S. Air Force officer, Dr. Gray is also a former Foreign Service/Central Intelligence Agency officer and program director. He has extensive experience in the national and international security and intelligence communities and has completed assignments for the United States Departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice, and State, as well as, the United Nations, the Congress and the National Intelligence Council. He also served in a number of overseas assignments in various parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and has worked with many defense, corporate, law enforcement, security and intelligence organizations and services worldwide. Specializing in International, National, and Homeland Security affairs, his expertise includes U.S. and international security and strategic studies; current global security issues; U.S. foreign and national security policy formulation and strategy; globalization and international security; political violence and insurgency; international terrorism; and international weapons proliferation.
