Student earns scholarship for commitment to global engagement

Senior Mahmood Khan’s insights on the value of international education earned him first place in the LewerMark “Make Your Mark” scholarship program.

Khan, a computer science and mathematics major, was born in Afghanistan, but he moved to Pakistan with his family in 1992 after the fall of the Soviet-backed regime. In his scholarship entry, Khan described the experience of living as a refugee and observing his parents break down barriers between the Afghan and Pakistani communities through education.

Khan’s devotion to education inspired him to study languages and computers, and eventually earned him a position with Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian aid organization based in Portland. After traveling widely as a field system administrator for Mercy Corps, Khan decided to pursue a college education.

At Lewis & Clark, Khan has continued his study of technology, while still working part-time for Mercy Corps.

“Because of his extensive international education, talents and skills, life experiences, international perspectives, and passionate commitment to help others, Mahmood will most certainly make a difference in our world,” said Carolyn Locke, administrative coordinator for the International Students and Scholars Office and Khan’s sponsor for the scholarship competition.

Khan plans to pursue a post-graduate degree in computer science and mathematics, with the ultimate goal of integrating his studies and his relief work to increase awareness of global humanitarian need.

“I believe that my study in those fields will help me prepare for my goal of teaching and promoting the use of technology in poor countries in more creative and affordable ways,” he wrote. “I hope that one day I will be able to use technology to make more people aware of the extreme hardships that exist in our world and also to make it more accessible and easier for those willing to help to reach those in need.”

Read Khan’s essay and learn more about LewerMark online.

21 May 2009

• computer science
• international
• mathematics
• scholarship
• student

0

Associate Dean of Students Greg Caldwell travels globally

Greg Caldwell, Associate Dean of Students and Director of International Students and Scholars, has been invited by IREX (International Research and Exchanges Board) in Washington, D.C. to travel to Kiev, Ukraine and Chisinau, Moldova to interview applicants for its 2009/10 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD).

“Greg has been a pillar of international education for many years and we are incredibly proud that he has been selected to aid IREX in their recruitment and review processes” said Celestino Limas, Dean of Students.  “Greg is a Lewis & Clark institution whose dedication to international students is unmatched.  I join many students, faculty, and staff in congratulating him on this significant honor.”

The Global UGRAD program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the US Department of State. The program brings undergraduate students from the former Soviet Republics to study for one academic year in US colleges and universities.

Lewis & Clark has participated in the UGRAD program for the past four years and has hosted student scholars from Turkmenistan, Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova.

Caldwell will depart in mid-February for the two-week trip.

6 February 2009

• education
• exchange programs
• international
• staff

0