Cortland's history with international education was formally established in the 1960’s. However, one could say Cortland's relationship with international students existed before then. Mary Kirby Nakamura was the first international student to graduate in 1900. She went on to teach English in Japan. While another student highlighted in this exhibit, Era Mugisa, was an All-American athlete who received a master's in education and became a coach and an educator in his home country of Uganda. Several student-based organizations were created as well including the International Club, International Student Organization, and regional based clubs such as the French, Russian, or Spanish Clubs. Formal educational courses and programs soon emerged thereafter.
Dr. Willi Uschald (Emeritus) is credited with getting the international programs organized in the 1960's. Though prior to the creation of International Programs or study abroad, the campus did offer courses in foreign languages, which is the department Uschald was hired to teach in. The study abroad program was first launched in 1963 with a trip to Switzerland. Over time the program expanded to include various world experiences.
Dr. Gordon Beadle, chair the Study Abroad Committee in the 1970's, (with the assistance of Dr. Uschald) helped create and organize the first trip to London, where students from Arts and Sciences (specifically, physical education students were among the first permitted to attend) would experience a full semester overseas.
In the 1980's, President James Clark (alongside several faculty members including Dr. Uschald and Dr. Rozanne Brooks, who was the first faculty member to teach in China) traveled to China to coordinate a lasting student-exchange partnership. Clark's contributions to international programs is evident to this day. In 2004, the James M. Clark Center for Global Engagement was dedicated in his honor, which serves to advance international educational efforts and programming on and off-campus.
Dr. Willi Uschald was hired at Cortland in 1963 as the chairman for the Foreign Languages Department. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Uschald created the study abroad program when he became the Director for International Programs. The first overseas trips occurred to the Universität de Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The program continued to move forward as it connected students to other opportunities in Spain, England, Germany, Mexico, and China.
International Student's Organization
Photograph of the International Club from 1982
Yuki and Wah Chip Chin supported the international studies program and students beginning in the early 1980's. When President James Clark first helped establish the international exchange program with China (a coordinated effort with Willi Uschald and the president of the Beijing Teachers College), the Chins stepped into action. Having no direct connection to the college itself, these two local community members dedicated their home, time, and funding to the benefit of international students.
Over 40 visiting students found housing, meals, and conversation with the Chins when staying in Cortland from abroad. Upon their passing, the Chins generously left an estate gift to the College. Today, their legacy lives on through the "Yuki and Wah Chip Chin Memorial Scholarship" which continues to support exchange students.
"The late Wah Chip Chin and his wife, Yuki, of Cortland, were photographed by a visiting scholar circa 1990," Taken from Columns, Fall 2007, 11.
Plaque honoring Mr. and Mrs. Wah Chin Chin. It hangs in Memorial Library, second floor (Photograph taken by Jeremy Pekarek, 2021).
Photograph taken by Jeremy Pekarek, 2021.
Ptolemy Revisited was constructed in 1992 by Allen Mooney, professor in the Art and Art History department for International Programs Office. The sculpture still hangs on the exterior of Whitaker Hall, which once served as a location for International Programs.
In 1980 SUNY Cortland established an exchange agreement with the Beijing Teachers College (Capital Normal School). President James Clark and Dr. Uschald were instrumental in achieving this positive ongoing relationship. In fact, in 1987, Dr. Chuan-Wei Yang of Capital Normal School, was invited to Cortland to receive an honorary doctorate degree of humane letters. Below is a photograph of this event including both Clark and Yang. In 1989, tensions were high due to the Tiananmen Square incident, but both institutions continued to maintain a stable relationship regarding the program.
President Clark with President Yang Chuan-Wei during the commencement of 1987 where the honorary degree was bestowed upon Dr. Yang.
President James M. Clark interviews and oral histories
