May 2, 2002
Lindenberg Center to extend UW’s global humanitarian reach
A new center to be named in honor of Evans School of Public Affairs Dean Marc Lindenberg will be announced tomorrow by the University of Washington with the mission of increasing the university’s teaching, research and service connections with struggling regions around the world.
The Marc Lindenberg Center for Humanitarian Action, International Development and Global Citizenship will intensify the UW’s already strong global focus, President Richard L. McCormick said.
“This is a university that already takes global citizenship very seriously,” McCormick said. “That is also the vision that Marc has shared with us and challenged us to build upon. In creating the Lindenberg Center we are pointing this university even closer to his vision.”
Lindenberg has inoperable lung cancer, but he said he hopes the new center will carry forward long into the future projects that involve students and faculty in studying and working on problems that increasingly cross boundaries, including poverty and pollution. International development and relief have been a hallmark of the Evans School since Lindenberg’s arrival as dean in 1998, whether through increased faculty overseas exchanges or via a master’s program that includes a stint in the Peace Corps.
“More and more students come to the university wanting the practical skills and knowledge to help make today’s world a better place,” said Elaine Chang, Evans School assistant dean. “Creating this center opens up new possibilities for UW students and faculty to realize these dreams.”
The new center will draw on a mixture of university funds and private donations to expand the UW’s global outlook. The initial $5 million goal would provide:
— New partnerships with international relief and development organizations.
— Projects to enhance global awareness through development of interdisciplinary curricula and teaching resources.
— New and increased overseas study opportunities, including student internships, faculty exchanges and training for professionals from developing countries.
— Partnerships with K-12 schools to nourish a global civic culture.
Before joining the UW, Lindenberg divided his professional career between academia and public service in international organizations. He was CARE USA’s senior vice president for programs between 1992 and 1997, running global projects in more than 36 countries.
His academic career has included teaching and research at Harvard and the UW, and authorship of such books as “The Human Development Race,” “Democratic Transitions in Central America,” and “Going Global: Transforming Relief and Development NGOs.” He holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Southern California.
“The challenge for all of us,” Lindenberg said, “is to understand our responsibilities as global citizens, and to act together to create a better, safer world.”
The Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs is the UW’s graduate school of public administration and public policy. Many of its students go on to become managers, elected officeholders and leaders in government, nonprofit organizations and international non-governmental organizations.
###
For more information, contact Chang at (206) 616-1607 or elainec@u.washington.edu. A high-resolution photo of Lindenberg is available at http://evansuw.org/communications/lindenberg/
