The Mandala Newsletter of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies Center for Southeast Asian Studies Spring/Summer 2014 Northern Illinois University www.cseas.niu.edu 520 College View Court, DeKalb, IL 60115 815-753-1771

A bridge so far The learning goes both ways for NIU alums teaching English in Malaysia, Vietnam Page 6

Director’s Chair A royal visit, new initiatives, farewell to friends, colleagues Page 2

Afoot and afield with the faculty Broadening the reach of CSEAS Page 9

Students, alumni make their mark Page 12 Inside This Issue

Director’s Chair...... 2 Transitions...... 4 Library Update...... 5 Horizons...... 6 Council News and Notes �������������9 Fellowship Notes...... 12 Student News...... 12 Alumni News...... 14 One Last Look...... 16 Director’s Chair

Judy Ledgerwood Royal treatment Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, center, with the NIU party Welcome to this abbreviated version of accompanying her to the dais in Altgeld Hall Auditorium including, from left, Professor Emeritus and Mandala, shortened due to major staff former CSEAS Director Clark Neher, College of Liberal Arts & Dean Chris McCord, NIU changes at President Doug Baker, Vice President for International Affairs Raymond Alden, Provost Lisa Freeman, CSEAS over the and CSEAS Director Judy Ledgerwood. The antique maps of Southeast Asia behind the group were summer. Office from the Donn V. Hart Southeast Asia Collection and part of an exhibit of Tai art and artifacts on Manager Nancy display in Altgeld for the royal visit. (Photo / NIU Media Services) Schuneman, the core staff person of the students and community members. Center for 27 This just in: Her Royal Highness has since donated years, retired in two beautiful Khon masks to add to the June, preceded CSEAS awarded Museum collections. in May by Outreach Coordinator Julie In October, NIU hosted the Council Lamb. These veteran staff members are Title VI funding on Thai Studies (COTS) meeting, with both sorely missed. As of Sept. 1, Rita As the Mandala keynote speakers Duncan McCargo Miller from the Department of Foreign went to press, of Leeds University and Srisompob Languages and Literatures, is our new the Center Jitpiromsri, director of the Center for office manager. We welcome her as we received word Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity at begin the 2014–15 academic year. from the US Prince of Songkla University in Pattani, 2013–14 was a very busy year; I will Department of Thailand. (Jitpriomsri was also in town just touch on a few of the highlights. On Education that it has been named a to receive a Distinguished Alumni award September 18, we were delighted to Title VI National Resource Center from the College of Liberal Arts and welcome Her Royal Highness Princess for the fifth time, and will receive Sciences.). Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, approximately $2 million in federal During fall semester we also hosted a who came to NIU to receive an honorary funding through 2018. This includes fourth cohort of graduate fellows from degree. The Princess was in Chicago funding for Foreign Language and Indonesia sponsored by the Indonesian for the opening of the Chicago Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships. Department of Higher Education of the Museum’s “Siam: The Queen and the Ministry of Education. Eight scholars, White City” exhibit, which honored her all from UNM in Makassar, worked great grandmother’s contribution to the Raymond (School of Art) curated an with faculty mentors from across the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. In exhibition of Tai art and artifacts from university, used the library collections conjunction with the NIU ceremony, NIU’s collections. Her Royal Highness and attended CSEAS events. In another CSEAS associate and Center for graciously took the time to visit with project, CSEAS faculty, working with Burma Studies Director Catherine those in attendance, including faculty, the NIU Office of Sponsored Projects,

2 conducted training in grant writing with Cambodian university faculty and administrators. This project was conducted with the Cambodian Ministry of Education Directorate General on Higher Education with funds from the World Bank. We continued our outreach to universities in Burma/, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Yadanabon University in . Christopher McCord, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and I visited Yadanabon University, Yangon University, and in April. Kenton Clymer (History) taught a history course at Return of SEAYLP Yangon University in December 2013, After a year hiatus, the State Department-funded Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program Tharaphi Than (Foreign Language and returned to NIU in the spring with 50 students and 11 adult leaders from 10 Southeast Asian Literatures) and Catherine Raymond countries. Led by SEAYLP administrative manager Maria “Rai” Nihei, the program added a global conducted research and presented at leadership camp that brought 15 U.S. high school students from the area, pictured above, to meet conferences this summer, and Andrea their Southeast Asian peers for a weekend of activities at the Stronghold retreat center in Oregon, Ill. Molnar (Anthropology) gave lectures on anthropology at Yangon University and of a scholarship program to provide research in England. John Hartmann, Yadanabon University. tuition waivers to SEAYLP alumni. Two who taught Thai language at NIU since Other NIU faculty members are also alumni so far are taking advantage of 1968, has also retired. (We’ll miss you involved in this effort and other outreach this opportunity and are enrolled for fall John!) We welcome back Piyathida in Southeast Asia. Melissa Lenczewski, semester, with more expressing interest. Sereebenjapol, former Thai FLTA and Director of NIU’s Institute for the Study This year we also revised our graduate NIU graduate student, who will teach of the Environment, Sustainability and curriculum, switching from a Graduate Thai this year. Energy, visited Yadanabon University Concentration to a Graduate Certificate. In October we will have visits from two to consult on water quality issues. One main advantage is that professionals more Burmese librarians (four visited this Lenczewski, Buyung Agusdinata beyond the university can now enroll summer; see Library Update on page from Engineering, Tomoyuki for the certificate as a “student at large” 5). The six are receiving training at the Shibata from Public Health, and Jim without having to be enrolled in a degree University of Washington, Arizona State Wilson from all attended program at NIU. It also reduces the total University, and Rutgers University – two a US-Indonesia Partnership Program number of language hours required for librarians at each institution for one (USIPP) conference in Yogjakarta the certificate, hopefully opening the month – and then all six will visit NIU in June. The conference involved six program to more students in the sciences for about 10 days. And across the fall American universities and six Indonesian and professional schools. Language semester we are expecting another cohort universities and discussed issues of requirement remain the same for PhD of Indonesian postgraduate fellows. For environment and sustainability. students in History and Political the first time, NIU is offering classes in This past spring, NIU again hosted since those are set by departments. Vietnamese language, part of a distance the Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Looking forward, we are excited that learning exchange with the University of Program (SEAYLP) and the Philippine several people who have been on leave Wisconsin-Madison where students at Youth Leadership Program (PYLP), two for all or part of the last year are back: UWM remotely join our Burmese classes US State Department programs geared Jui-Ching Wang (School of Music) and NIU students take UWM classes in to high school aged youth. SEAYLP from teaching a field school on music Vietnamese. brought 50 high schoolers and plus ten in Bali, Kikue Hamayotsu (Political Welcome to a new academic year! I hope adult leaders from ten ASEAN countries Science) from sabbatical, Susan Russell everyone returns rested and happy and to NIU for leadership training. At the (Anthropology) from her Presidential ready to dive into a new year of teaching, end of the program, NIU President Doug Engagement Professor leave, and Trude research, and exchanges with Southeast Baker, whose own household was a host Jacobsen (History/NGOLD) back from Asia. family, announced the establishment 3 Transitions: Greeting and farewells There are a number of new faces at the Center this semester.Rita Miller is the new CSEAS Office Manager, coming to CSEAS from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, where she worked as an office support specialist for the past seven years. Also new to the Center this fall are graduate assistants Iqra Anugrah, who is teaching the Center’s undergraduate survey course, SEAS 225, and Azri Agoes, who is coordinating the Overseas Postgraduate Fellowship program (also known as the Sandwich program), a collaborative effort of CSEAS and Indonesia’s Directorate General of Higher Education (DIKTI). Ten Indonesian graduate fellows are arriving on campus in September for three months to work with faculty mentors on honing their research and writing skills. Iqra and Azri are PhD students in political science. NIU alumnus Julien Ehrenkönig (MA anthropology, 2014) is temporarily filling the duties of Outreach Coordinator. The Center has not yet been cleared to fill that position permanently. Associate professor Trude Jacobsen (History/NGOLD) is back as assistant CSEAS director for the fall semester after spending a fellowship year in England. She is also debuting SEAS 625/HIST 660, a graduate-level survey course examining key Rita Miller texts in Southeast Asian studies. Jacobsen is also the new assistant chair in History.

who came to NIU as a graduate accepted a position at the University Faces we’ll miss student in 1981 and built the center’s of London’s School of Oriental and It was a bittersweet gatheringMay 2 at successful outreach efforts from the African Studies (SOAS). About the end-of-semester potluck-turned- ground up since joining CSEAS in seventy faculty, staff, and students, farewell party honoring a number 1997, announced her retirement including retirees Clark and Arlene of departing CSEAS colleagues. shortly thereafter. Other departures Neher and Richard and Thecla Longtime Office ManagerNancy marked at the gathering were those Cooler, attended the farewell at the Schuneman, who worked for six of Indonesian language professor home of Ledgerwood and CSEAS directors in her 27 years at the Center, Patricia Henry (Foreign Language associate Kheang Un (Political and Thai language professorJohn & Literatures) and computer scientist Science). “We will keenly miss all Hartmann (Foreign Languages & Jim Henry (Computer Science), who of these friends and colleagues, Literatures), who came to NIU in officially retired in 2013, but were on some of whom have been here more 1974, had announced their plans campus in various capacities during than thirty years and contributed to retire after spring semester. 2013–14. Also, associate Michael immeasurably to the Center,” said Outreach Coordinator Julia Lamb, Buehler (Political Science)has CSEAS Director Judy Ledgerwood.

Office Manager Language professors John Hartmann and Computer science professor Outreach coordinator Nancy Schuneman Patricia Henry Jim Henry Julia Lamb

4 Library Update Shelf life: Burmese librarians train at Founders By Julien Ehrenkönig her Burmese heritage, made important Library and Rare Books Collection. bibliographic contributions to her field. For ten days in late June and early The librarians share the goal of July, four librarians from three During their time at NIU, the librarians building a stronger and more efficient universities in Myanmar/Burma hit toured the facilities at Founders library system in Myanmar, said Yin the books themselves at Founders and received training in workshops Yin Aye. “Back home there is little Memorial Library. They came to presented by the University Libraries’ knowledge in our archives about the NIU to learn about library collection special collections staffs at the Hart proper preservation methods and development, preservation, and Collection, the Regional History tools to sustain our collections,” she digitization techniques under the Center, the Music School Library, said. Libraries are making efforts watchful eye of CSEAS associates and the Rare Books Collection. to transform the traditional library Chalermsee Olson, associate dean Hao Phan and Hart Collection into a virtual e-library in an effort to for collections and technical services, staff worked with the librarians on make their materials more accessible Hao Phan, curator of the Donn V. the preservation and collection to library users, noted Sanda Oo. Hart Southeast Asia Collection, and of palm-leaf manuscripts and Upon their return, the group will meet Catherine Raymond, director of the parabaik (paper) manuscripts, and with Myanmar’s Minister of Education Center for Burma Studies (CBS). discussed the benefits of digitization and representatives from Myanmar’s La Pye Win Htun (University of to scholars worldwide. They also university libraries to share what Yangon), Ni Ni Naing (University toured several off-campus public they learned in the U.S. In October, Central Library), Sanda Oo (Yadanabon libraries to get varied perspectives two more librarians will come to University), and Yin Yin Aye (University on library collection management. NIU for training in library collection Central Library) traveled to NIU as The Regional History Center conducted development and preservation. part of a collaborative training program an all-day workshop on the principles Before coming to work at CSEAS as sponsored by Arizona State University, and methods of archiving, and provided Acting Outreach Coordinator, Julien the University of Washington,Rutgers an opportunity for the group to Ehrenkönig (MA anthropology, 2014) University, and NIU (under the practice the techniques. The group worked as a graduate assistant in Founders auspices of CBS and CSEAS). learned about managing specialized Memorial Library in the Hart Collection Prior to arriving in DeKalb, the four collections in sessions at the Music and at the Regional History Center. librarians visited ASU and UWash (two at each campus) to learn about cataloging, librarian management, digitization of books and other scholarly materials, and techniques for sharing online databases and resources. The library project is one of a number of initiatives by U.S. educational institutions, including NIU, to help support higher education in Myanmar (see related story in NIU Today). Funding for the NIU session was provided by the NIU Foundation through an endowment created by the late May Kyi Win, curator of the Hart Collection from 1994 until her death in 2002. Under Win’s curatorship, the Regional History Center curator Danielle Spalenka, right, shows the Burmese librarians a university acquired valuable Burmese volume from NIU’s Wurlitzer Collection as an example of specialized materials suitable materials, including a number of rare for archiving. The librarians also learned how to clean a damaged manuscript using special materials. (Photos / Julien Ehrenkönig) manuscripts and Win, intensely proud of

5 Horizons Malaysia: Negotiating identity in an adopted home

By Matthew Ropp It is 2 in the afternoon, the sun beating down on my unprotected skin; I can already feel the uncomfortable warmth settling into my tissue letting me know that by tomorrow I will be the color of a freshly steamed shrimp. Sweat is streaming from every pore and I begin to question why I’m still outside allowing myself to suffer like this. I’ve been working with two others since about 9 AM, mowing lawns, pulling weeds, and clearing gutters of what seems like foot-deep caked mud and grime. This is the third worksite we’ve been to today, and it looks like we won’t get around to finishing the rest of the work until tomorrow afternoon. I take a short break in the shade at the Fulbright ETA Matthew Ropp enjoys a moment in class with some of his Form 6 students at the base of a cellular tower where we’ve Malaysian secondary school in Besut, Terengganu, where he has been teaching since January. been doing routine maintenance and fantasize of more relaxing ways I could I have been working as a Fulbright ETA and limitations on the actual work I could spend a weekend, like taking a dip at since January, located in a secondary engage in (Fulbright grantees are not one of the beaches I can spot from my school in Besut, Terengganu (on the allowed to seek paid employment outside vantage point at the top of a hill. east coast of Malaysia). My job entails of their role as an assistant teacher). cooperating with local English teachers to Through this series of community I would be less exasperated with this use carry out speaking lessons and activities of my time if it weren’t for the irony that invitations, I met Pak Din, an office that complement the core English staffer who I’d been told played the my actual day job is serving as an English curriculum. Although my community Teaching Assistant (ETA) on a 2013–14 role of ayah angkat – adoptive father is relatively rural, with most students – to the previous ETA at my school Fulbright grant in Malaysia. A little less residing in small villages called kampung, than six months ago I was doing not (Malaysian schools typically contract Besut is also one of the most visited with the ETA program for three years; dissimilar grounds-keeping work in my locations in Malaysia due to its proximity hometown in Illinois with a local parks I am the third and potentially last ETA to the Perhentian island group. Despite at my school). Pak Din and his family department as a way to pass time and earn the seasonal tourist traffic, many students money before my grant period started. instantly warmed to me, family dinners and community members have had little becoming commonplace, along with interaction with foreigners. Malaysians Former CSEAS assistant Matthew Ropp, weekend fishing trips yielding no catch are known for being hospitable, but ETAs who studied Malay both on campus and but fostering friendship. I harvested often receive ‘rock-star treatment’ as they in Malaysia while attending NIU, received fruits in his garden, attended his eldest are welcomed into their communities. his BA in communications with minors in son’s wedding, and sat bedside during linguistics and Southeast Asian studies in With everyone so excited over the a particularly vicious bout of flu. After 2013. SarahEmily Lekberg (MM music, novelty of a new (albeit temporary) spending so much time in Pak Din’s 2013), an ethnomusicology specialist neighbor, co-worker, and friend, company, I accepted each new invitation focusing on Vietnam, also received a 2013– integration into my community came to participate in another aspect of his 14 Fulbright ETA grant. Lekberg studied easy for me. I found myself having to turn home life with enthusiasm, which is Vietnamese as a FLAS fellow at the 2012 down as many offers to play sports, visit why I also agreed to assist him in some Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute homes, provide tutoring, attend mosque, landscaping work on the weekend, in the at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. as I could accept due to time constraints dark about exactly what kind of work it continued on page 8 6 Vietnam: A new voice among new sounds

By SarahEmily Lekberg Editor’s note: Lekberg began her Fulbright ETA assignment in August 2013 at An Giang University where she taught English speaking skills, American studies, and American literature first semester. She taught pronunciation and speaking skills to younger students. Lekberg kept a blog during her time as an ETA. Following are excerpts from her January 13, 2014 entry. Since coming to Vietnam, I’ve noticed that there are many instances when the sounds around me (or lack thereof) have made huge impressions on me. So I’d like Fulbright ETA SarahEmily Lekberg flies kites with some of her students, senior education majors at to devote this blog post to discussing the An Giang University in Long Xuyên, Vietnam. various sounds in my life here in Vietnam. service announcement. I have no idea listening to them exchanging snatches Intense / Odd Noises what it says, mostly because I am generally of English and Vietnamese, which I Birds in my apartment: One morning I too sleepy to translate or the sound affectionately call Vienglish. Some was awakened by a weird sound in my quality is too terrible to understand. fun examples of this are rất đẹp (very room. It sounded like the little water Flip-flop sprinting: There are two men beautiful) becomes “rất beautiful” or “very heater was bubbling and I was terrified who jog around the dorms every once in đẹp.” that I’d left it on all night. As I walked into a while. No problem, right? Except for Sounds I love the living room’ I noticed that it wasn’t the part when they jog in tandem, in flip- TCS (Trịnh Công Sơn) music everywhere: on. Upon hearing the sound coming from flops, at 5AM! The late Trịnh Công Sơn is one of the above my head I looked up to see two Cacophony composers I researched for my master’s sparrows flying back and forth between Rehearsal for Teacher’s Day: The weekend thesis and I am still extremely interested the windowsill and the ledge above the before the Teacher’s Day competitions in his life and music. I have read many front door. The sound I had heard was not began, we had a few rehearsals for our articles/books/websites that state that water boiling, but wings fluttering! I still group number. All of the other groups had TCS is the most beloved composer in have no idea how they got in. to do the same. So, instead of everyone Vietnam. Now that I live here, I meet with Car/motorbike horns on the street: Cars going into separate classrooms or this reality on a daily basis as I cannot have become increasingly more popular in individuals’ homes, we all met in the huge go into a coffee shop without hearing Vietnam, but motorbikes still account for breezeway behind the school to practice. various acoustic, vocal, and instrumental the majority of wheeled vehicles on the This meant that at any given time between renditions of his famous songs both live street. Most roads are either one lane or 6 and 10 PM, there were five to six dance and in recorded form. two, and people pretty much do whatever and vocal ensembles blasting their backup Vietnamese: I love hearing Vietnamese, they want in terms of rules. This means music and making a valiant effort to block regardless of whether or not I fully they are constantly careening around out everyone else’s. It was absolutely understand a conversation. The language each other and trying to communicate to remarkable. is beautiful to me and it constantly others to get out of the way. They do this Children in the morning: Each weekday presents a challenge for me to improve. by honking. When I first arrived I thought morning around 7AM, there are seven to My Vietnamese name: I have been everyone was perpetually angry while eight children who have PE right outside lucky enough to have been given a driving. This is not the case, of course, but my bedroom window. Yeah. . . . Vietnamese name. I love it and it holds it is something that takes a lot of time to a lot of meaning for me! It was given to get used to! Break time in class: When I give my students a break, the room, which was me by my RCCD (continuing education Broadcasts every morning: Every weekday, relatively quiet five seconds before, erupts students) one night when we were all there is a man who rides around the dorm into intense conversations, laughter, out for dinner. They mentioned that they compound and blasts some kind of public singing, and general shouting. I love continued on page 8 7 Horizons (cont’d) Malaysia: Negotiating identity in an adopted home continued from page 6 was and how much time it would require. a guest, treating me less as novelty than other notches on my gotong-royong belt As sweat drips in my eyes, bringing me family, a permanent fixture for a brief include teaming up with male teachers back to the task at hand, I reflect on why span of time. After completing my work at the school to prepare a whole cow I had chosen to follow Pak Din to the top with Pak Din, I also felt proud of myself for a Teacher’s day barbecue, attending of this hill rather than excusing myself for sacrificing minor comforts for the choir practices and singing at a district- halfway through the day by fabricating tangible satisfaction of a job well done. wide ceremony, breaking fast during an important meeting or heat sickness In traditional Malay culture, a concept the month of Ramadan at the homes (though the latter would not have been called gotong-royong influenced and of teachers and students, even taking entirely untrue). After all, I would not, strengthened community bonds by care of a neighbor’s cat and month- could not be paid for these long days of bringing many together to accomplish old kittens while he and his wife were labor. I had no reason except ‘saving face,’ tasks that the few could not. Literally away having a child of their own. or maintaining my communal integrity, translated as mutual aid or cooperation, Although my gotong-royong may to see the work through to completion. the implication of gotong-royong not be grand in vision or scope, it It suddenly starts to sink in that the still fortifies community in Malaysia has meaning for me as I negotiate my work I was doing was out of a feeling of today. Since working with Pak Din, identity in my adoptive Malaysian obligation, or duty. It may not have been I have tried to see events like this as community. I was always taught that particularly glamorous – it was certainly my own version of gotong-royong. it’s the little things in life that count, too strenuous to be considered enjoyable I have continued to attempt to go and so these “random acts of kindness” – but in a small way it was my thanks to beyond my duties as an assistant teacher are the things that I place importance Pak Din for accepting me as more than at every chance I am provided. Some on at home, wherever that may be. Vietnam: A new voice among new sounds continued from page 7 wanted American names and suggested The cave: To celebrate Thanksgiving, all of these emotions ran through my head that I help them pick names during the of the Fulbrighters gathered in Hanoi at as I stood silently with nineteen people next class period. I replied with, “yeah the ambassador’s house to enjoy a turkey for thirty seconds. When the time was up, sure! But only if I get a Vietnamese dinner. Afterward we took a trip to Ninh we walked out of the cave, singing “Silent name.” They pondered this as a group and Binh, which is located just south of Hanoi Night.” finally settled on Mỵ Nương, which is the in the Red River Delta. There was an area ancient name for princess in Vietnamese where we could go hiking in a slightly There are many times when I am language/culture. They chose this name mountainous region. We followed the surrounded by people who love me and because they learned on the first day of signs to the 1,000-year-old tree and a cave. whom I love in return. I am so grateful class that Sarah means princess. When When we entered the mouth of the cave for them and the relationships we’ve anyone uses this name I feel a little bit we noticed that it was very narrow and formed in such a short time. There are closer to them, to Vietnamese culture and there were no lights. All I can say is, thank also many times when I am surrounded to the language. goodness for those ridiculously bright by thousands of people I do not know, Silence iPhone lights. I’ve explored a few caves in people who write me off as another General Giap’s funeral: When General Vietnam, but they have all been with the blonde tourist and do not attempt to Giap (a prominent figure in Vietnamese help of a guide. This time we were on our speak. There have been times when political history) passed away this last own. As we wandered deeper and deeper I’ve been silenced by my own lack of semester, I happened to be in Ho Chi into the cave, we quickly made friends knowledge regarding the culture or Minh City when his funeral was taking with others exploring the cave. One of our language. There are times when I have place. One way the Vietnamese people group came up with the idea to observe silenced myself because I was too scared observe deaths and funerals is by limiting a moment of silence and complete to reach out. Sometimes the silence is certain things, like music. This meant that darkness, which everyone agreed to. As deafening. My wish for this semester is on the busiest street in the backpacker’s we all switched off our cell phone lights, that I will be able to continue creating a district, they were still selling beer on the we were completely engulfed by the voice for myself, continue reaching out, street, but every club and bar was silent complete silence and darkness of the cave. and continue on this path that is often except for the voices of those inside. It was calming, terrifying, hysterical. All difficult to trek.

8 Center Council News and Notes

Kenton Clymer (History) Working with a net: Katharine Wiegele • Spent the month of December teaching a course at Yangon While in the Philippines in March doing field research in Batangas Province, University on the history of adjunct anthropology professor Katharine Wiegele took a few days to U.S. relations with Myanmar/ hop a C-130 cargo plane to go to Tacloban City on a mission: to deliver Burma since WWII. Clymer a motorized fishing boat to a family affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which was the first foreign visiting devastated the Philippines in November 2013. Wiegele contacted a Filipino professor since 1962 to teach at NGO, the Manahan Foundation, to arrange the donation. Prior to leaving the school’s history department DeKalb, Wiegele worked with family, friends, and colleagues to raise • Hosted Zhang Hang, a visiting enough funds to purchase three fishing boats and supplies to fully equip doctoral student from Sun Yat- them with nets, goggles and fishing gear. Students of Tagalog instructor Sen University in Guangzhou, and CSEAS associate Rhodalyne Gallo-Crail held several bake sales in fall China, for the 2013–14 academic year. Hang’s dissertation focuses and spring to also raise funds. The Asian American Center and the NIU on the relationship between the Rotaract Club also helped with fund-raising. Tacloban City was the areas Philippines and the US from 1961 hardest hit by the typhoon and the need for help is still dire, Wiegele said. to 1973 during the Vietnam War “The fishermen were extremely grateful for the boats, but they are still • Taught a short course on US dealing with the tragedy of their own personal losses,” Wiegele said in an relations with SEA, in particular interview with NIU Today. “People there are still in shock. They have no Burma, at the School of International homes, most have lost family members or friends, and they don’t have jobs.” Affairs at Renmin University in Wiegele, a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines in the 1980s, was in Beijing. While in China, he also country interviewing fishermen and women along the Verde Island Passage presented “From Deep Freeze to in Batangas. She was one of 15 scholars participating in an international Thaw: US Relations with Burma/ National Science Foundation project, led by NIU anthropology professor Myanmar since 8/8/88” at the Giovanni Bennardo, examining the cultural models of nature held by Economics and Politics symposium primary food producers in world regions affected by climate change. at Renmin in Beijing and at Southwest University and at the Southwest University of Political Science and in Chongqin • Presented “From Deep Freeze to Thaw: US Relations with Burma/ Myanmar since 8/8/88” at the International Burma Studies Conference in August in Singapore. Also on the panel was Chinese scholar Bai Xuefeng, a visiting scholar at CSEAS in 2013 Kikue Hamayotsu (Political Science) • Was promoted to associate professor in fall 2013 • Published “Competitive Elections Wiegele, left, delivers nets to outfit the donated fishing boats she took to Tacloban City and Ethnic and Religious Politics in March. in a Transforming Malaysia” in the Autumn 2013 edition of Berita in a Transitional Multi-Ethnic the Oct. 2013 symposium Islamism • Published “The Limits of Malaysia” in the Journal of Current in Southeast Asia, sponsored by Civil Society in Democratic Southeast Asian Affairs (2 [2013]) the Islamic Studies program at Indonesia; Media Freedom • Presented “Elections, Religion and the University of Michigan and Religious Intolerance” in Democracy in Indonesia: Why is • Presented at a workshop in the Journal of Contemporary Islam Not Winning?” March 28 May at the Kroc Institute for Asia (43.4 [Nov. 2013]) at the United States-Indonesia International Peace Studies at • Published “Towards a More Society in Washington, DC the University of Notre Dame. Democratic Regime and Society? • Discussed electoral politics in continued on page 10 The Politics of Faith and Ethnicity Muslim majority states on a panel at

9 Center Council News and Notes (cont’d)

John Hartmann (Foreign Andrea Molnar (Anthropology) of the then-new U.S. Ambassador Languages and Literatures) • Presented at the 12th International to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, • Demonstrated his interactive Conference on Thai Studies in following two months of research website “Hello Southeast Asia: An April at the University of Sydney, with Mindano NGOs and civil Interactive Sampling of the Spoken along with NIU adjunct Alan society representatives on the and Written Languages of SEA” Potkin and NIU alumni including peace accord with the Moro at the 22nd annual Conference on Paul Chambers (PhD political Islamic Liberation Front Southeast Asian Language Teaching science, 2003), Robert Dayley (PhD and Applied Linguistics in July political science, 1997), Poonnatree with co-presenter Nay Yan Oo Jiaviriyaboonya (MA anthropology, (MA student, political science) 2012), M.I. Pinitbhand Paribatra (PhD political science, 2013), Trude Jacobsen (History) Jacob Ricks (MA political science, • Has been appointed assistant 2007), and Napisa Waitoolkiat chair of the History department (PhD political science, 2005) • Presented on anti-trafficking Grant Olson (Foreign initiatives at a seminar organized Hello PYLP! by the Centre for History in Languages and Literatures) • Chaired the 2013 Council on Public Health at the London • Conducted the 11th session of School of Hygiene and Tropical Thai Studies (COTS) annual meeting at NIU with the NIU the Philippine Youth Leadership Medicine while a fellow there Program (PYLP) at NIU in May during the fall 2013 semester Thai Studies Group (CSEAS associates John Hartmann, Julie with International Training Office • Published “Debt Bondage in Director and CSEAS associate Cambodia’s Past– and Implications Lamb, Andrea Molnar, Chalermsee Olson and Danny Unger). Lina Davide-Ong. While touring for its Present” in Studies in Gender the White House in Washington and Sexuality 15.1 (2014) Hao Phan (University Libraries) DC, participants were treated to a • Led the panel “The Past in Burma’s • Traveled to Malaysia and the rare photo opportunity when they (Gendered) Present: Historicizing Philippines in May and June to were invited to the South lawn to Intersectionality in Myanmar” acquire research materials on see President Obama board the at the Midwest Conference on Malaysia and the Philippines for presidential helicopter and he Asian Affairs in East Lansing, the Donn V. Hart Southeast Asia turned and waved to the group. Mich., in October. NIU graduate Collection. While there he visited students Nicole Loring (political U.S. Library of Congress offices Tharaphi Than (Foreign science) and Katrina Chludzinski in both Kuala Lumpur and Manila Languages and Literatures) (history) presented on the panel. to discuss NIU acquisitions. • Has published a new book, Women in Modern Burma (Routledge, 2014) Jennifer Kirker-Priest Catherine Raymond (School of • Published “The Languages of (Anthropology) Art, Center for Burma Studies) Pyidawtha and the Burmese • Received a $6,000 Preservation • Gave a background lecture on Approach to National Assistance grant for the NIU Myanmar/Burma on Jan. 22 Development” in South East Anthropology Museum in to Northwestern University Asia Research Journal (21:4) December from the National School of Law students • Was quoted in a March 9 New York Endowment for the Humanities • Presented “The Political Economy of Times article, “Education Programs • Received a $150,000 grant in Art, Tourism and Burmese Heritage” Try to Close gaps in Myanmar” September from the Institute of Feb. 1 at a Myanmar symposium • Presented “Juggling between Museum and Library Services sponsored by the University of Religion and Modernity: The World to purchase additional compact Michigan’s International Economic of Burmese Women Writers” Oct. storage for the museum Development Program 19 at the University of Wisconsin- Madison Center for Southeast Judy Ledgerwood (Anthropology) • Presented on the panel “Conserving Asian Studies’ Friday forum • Presented “Cambodian Cultures/ and Sharing Burma’s Heritage” at • Presented papers over the Khmerican Identities” at the the International Burma Studies summer at a conference at Oct. 17–19 Crossing Borders, Conference in July in Singapore. Yangon University in Myanmar/ Bridging Cultures workshop Susan Russell (Anthropology) Burma and at the inaugural AAS- sponsored by the National • Participated in an Oct. 17 briefing in-Asia conference in July. Endowment for the Humanities 10 Words and remembrance: John Hartmann

At the beginning of his NIUcareer as a linguist, Thai language professor and co-creator of SEAsite, John Hartmann found himself in Iowa in 1975 conducting linguistic research with Laotian refugees airlifted there at the end of the Vietnam War. That connection still runs deep. Hartmann helped spearhead the first International Conference on Lao Studies in 2005 at NIU and was a co- founder of the San Francisco-based Center for Lao Studies. Over the years, he has fostered close ties with the large Hartmann and Elgin resident Thonglouane Keorajavongsay head for the and vibrant Laotian community in nearby Elgin, Ill. Most runway after Hartmann is drafted to model traditional Lao attire at the Summer Camp for Kids. (Photo courtesy Phetsamone Lay Haverkos) recently, Hartmann has been involved with the community’s Lao Oral History Project through the Gail Borden Public food and games. Kids also practiced meditation and chanting Library District and the first-ever Lao Summer Camp for Buddhist prayers in both Lao and Pali. The last day of camp Kids in August at the Lao Buddhist Temple in Elgin. The concluded with performances, a fashion show, and the two-week camp was organized by NIU alum Phetsamone lowering of lotus-shaped candle floats in the pond on the Lay Haverkos. It drew 20 Lao-American children to learn site. Hartmann, an honored guest at the closing ceremonies, about their cultural heritage, offering daily classes in received a certificate of appreciation for his “support and language, storytelling, traditional dress, singing, literacy, contributions to preserving Lao history, language and culture.”

Kheang Un (Political Science) the Philippines” in Pentecostal Robert Zerwekh (Computer Science) • Published “The Khmer Rouge Modernities: Charismatic Christianity • Is developing an app for Thai Tribunal: A Politically Compromised and the Politics of Citizenship, language study as an enhancement Search for Justice” in Journal of ed. Robert W. Hefner, (Indiana to SEAsite, funded by a grant from Asian Studies (JAS 72.4: 783–92) University Press, 2013) the Royal Thai government • Published “Maintaining Parliamentary Boycott, Cambodia’s Opposition Pushes for Change” in the Feb. 5 edition Artful accolade: Catherine Raymond of World Politics Review Center for Burma Studies Director • Presented at the Nov. 22–23 Catherine Raymond (School of Art) Great Games in Central and accepts NIU’s 2013 Outstanding and Southeast Asia in the Great International Educator award from Power Politics international Vice President for International conference in South Korea. Affairs Raymond Alden during Jui-Ching Wang (School of Music) International Education Week in • Presented “Do I Sound Chinese November. In commending her, Now? A Musical and Cultural College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Analysis of Students’ Learning Dean Christopher McCord cited Experience in the Northern Raymond’s “discreet and diplomatic” Illinois Chinese Music Ensemble” work over several years to return a at the Midwest Conference on Buddha image to its rightful home Asian Affairs in October. in Burma as well as her creativity in curating an exhibit of Tai art and Katharine Wiegele (Anthropology) • Contributed “Politics, Education, artifacts for the September visit of and Civic Participation: Catholic Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. (Photo / CSEAS) Charismatic Modernities in

11 Student News Teaching at the crossroads I guess. The issues of social justice, literature and a better academic and political participation, and the like professional writer, two important have always been my concerns.” skills that are needed in college and Because SEAS 225 is an introductory workplace after graduation,” he said. course, it covers not only Southeast Iqra received a bachelor’s and a Asian politics, but also the region’s master’s degree from Ritsumeikan diverse history, culture, art, economics Asia Pacific University in 2010 and and environmental issues, with many 2011 and a master’s in political lectures by NIU’s SEA specialists. science from Ohio University in “In recent years there have been 2012, after which he began his PhD important developments in Southeast studies in comparative politics at Asia in all aspects, such as rising NIU. His research interests include Iqra Anugrah economic growth, closer regional democratization, elite and state cooperation, burgeoning social formations, social movements, the The Center welcomesIqra Anugrah of science, ethnographic (PhD student, political science), movements, more open political culture, and various environmental and historical methods, critical social who will be teaching the Center’s theory and Islam. He received the Southeast Asia survey course, problems, among others,” Iqra said. “This opens up new opportunities for Political Science department’s Russell SEAS 225 (formerly ILAS 225) W. Smith Memorial Scholarship for the 2014–15 academic year. students to engage with the region through traveling, volunteering, and in May and (for the second year) a Iqra brings a lifelong interest in even studying and researching the research grant from the American- comparative politics to the classroom. region. This also means that there Indonesian Cultural and Educational “My mom was a student activist when is a variety of interesting career Foundation. He has just published she was in college and I myself joined opportunities dealing with Southeast a chapter, “Ethno-religious a student organization when I was in Asia after college graduation.” Sentiments and Representations middle school,” Iqra said. “Growing in the Dynamics of Jakarta’s up in Jakarta, where you can clearly Iqra sees other benefits to the course as Urban Landscape,” in Asian Social see the gap between the privileged well. “At the more practical level, this Landscapes, ed. A. Mani (Singapore: and the ‘ordinary folks,’ also shaped course will also help the students to Swarnadvida Publishing, 2014). my sense of political consciousness, become a better reader of area studies

Presenting and publishing The FLTA advantage Virak Thun (MA political science, 2014) published an analysis of the political opposition in Cambodia in the newly launched online Indo- Pacific Review in October. He also published an online review in May of Beyond Democracy in Cambodia: Political Reconstruction in a Post-Conflict Society (NIAS Press, 2009) in New Mandala. . . . History graduate student Amando Boncales presented “The Political and Historical Discourse of the Philippine Claim over Sabah” in March at the University of Oxford’s Southeast Asian Studies Symposium at Keble College. . . .Thomas Rhoden (PhD candidate, political science) presented “Oligarchy in Thailand” at the 12th International Conference on Thai Studies in April at the University of Sydney. He also published “The Liberal in Liberal Democracy” in Democratization (20.7). . . Tiffanesha Williams (MA political science, 2014) presented “Re-Imagining State Formation and political Legitimacy: Founders Cult Ideology in Southeast Asia” at the Three Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs), 2014 Cornell University Southeast Asian Studies’ graduate conference including one from Burma/Myanmar, have joined the . . . . Azriansyah Agoes (PhD student, political science) published language program for 2014–15: from left, Pruksapan a review of the book Islam in Indonesia: Contrasting Images and Bantawtook (Thai), Maw Maw Tun (Burmese), Interpretations (University of Chicago Press, 2013) in The German and Riyani (Indonesian). (Photo / CSEAS) Journal on Contemporary Asia 129 (Oct. 2013). 12 Graduates, awards, and name recognition

Seventeen CSEAS-affiliated graduate Outstanding Graduate Student by and undergraduate students graduated the Anthropology department. from NIU during the 2013–14 academic Lily Ann Villaraza (PhD candidate, year. Thirteen undergraduates received history) is teaching a class on the bachelor’s degrees with minors in history of the Philippines for City Southeast Asian Studies: Dustin College of San Francisco’s Philippine (history), Andrews Bethany Brown Studies Department. Villaraza spent (French), (political Congratulations and farewell to 2013– Brittany Hebeler ten weeks in the Philippines over the science), (), 14 CSEAS graduate assistant Dani Ernest Henton summer conducting research for her (hospitality), Muhtada, who was awarded his PhD Jessica Hing Mark dissertation. Kral (anthropology), Ron Leonhardt in political science in August. He is now (history/political science), Savannah teaching in the Department of Law at Tiffanesha Williams (MA political Semarang State University in Indonesia. Lira (political science), Andrew science, 2014) was accepted into Lindemulder (political science), Marco the Political Science PhD program Sirojuddin Arif (PhD student, at the University of Missouri- Pe (political science), Brianne Pruitt political science) won a 2013–14 Columbia. (psychology), Michael Theodore research grant from the American- (political science), and Anna Weygand Indonesian Cultural and The Southeast Asia Club’s (anthropology). Four graduate students Educational Foundation (AICEF). 2014–15 officers are: Scott Hanley, president; Krista Albers, completed advanced degrees with a Ron Leonhardt (BA, history/ concentration in Southeast Asian studies. vice president; Edward Pieri, political science) was accepted into secretary; Isabelle Squires, Congratulations to Julien Ehrenkönig the History PhD program at George treasurer; James DeWitz, cultural (MA anthropology), Colleen Gray Washington University. events chair with Carlo Aseron (MA anthropology), Nicole Loring Ronnie Nataatmadja (PhD student, and Piyawit Moonkham; (MA political science), and Tiffanesha political science) received a 2013–14 Alexxandra Salazar, conference Williams (MA political science). American Institute for Indonesian coordinator with Elise Waite, and In other news: Studies (AIFIS) Luce Fellowship. Carlo Aseron, outreach/marketing Thomas Rhoden (PhD candidate, chair with Andrew Waite and Congratulations to former CSEAS political science) received a 2014– Cecelie Keys. graduate assistant Srie Ramli, who 15 David L. Boren Fellowship The Center for Burma Studies’ received her PhD in political science to study the Karen language in Burma Interest Group-NIU for in May and is currently working as Thailand while working on his will be headed in 2014–15 by a Training Specialist for short-term dissertation. Nay Yan Oo, president; Katrina training programs for international Chludzinski, vice president; and Alexxandra Salazar (MA participants at NIU’s International Nicole Loring, treasurer. Training Office. student, anthropology) was named

Prize-winning papers Graduate student Thomas Rhoden (PhD candidate, political science) and undergraduate John Hood (anthropology) won the awards for best papers at the Southeast Asia Club’s spring student conference April 5. Rhoden presented “Extending the Theory of Oligarchy to Thailand” and Hood presented “Re-Imagining the Rakhine State: Ethnic and Religious Conflict in Myanmar.” The conference keynote speaker was esteemed Yale political science professor James C. Scott. Twenty-three students from NIU, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin and the School of the Art Institute presented papers on topics ranging from US patron-client relations in the Philippines during the Johnson Administration to graphic book narratives in Indonesia. From left, are Scott, Rhoden, Hood, and conference coordinator Brian Ventura during the closing ceremony. (Photo / CSEAS)

13 Fellowship Notes Making strides in language studies

Thirteen graduate students and four Science. Receiving undergraduate student, history) and undergraduates undergraduates sharpened their FLAS fellowships were Janet Gatz Dennis Bridge (political science) and Southeast Asian language skills at NIU (history/anthropology, Tagalog), John Hood (anthropology) studied over in 2013–14 as recipients of Foreign John Hood (anthropology, Burmese), Burmese at the Win Language Academy, Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Ron Leonhardt (history/political Yangon; Shawn McCafferty (PhD fellowships funded by a Title VI grant science, Khmer), and Elise Waite student, political science), Alexxandra from the U.S. Department of Education. (environmental studies, Thai). Salazar (MA student, anthropology), Graduate FLAS fellows were: Robert Over the summer, eleven NIU students and Ron Leonhardt (BA history/ Bulanda (Tagalog), Julien Ehrenkönig traveled to four Southeast Asian political science, 2014) studied Khmer (Indonesian), Colleen Gray countries—and two to the Southeast at the Khmer School of Language in (Indonesian) and Anthonie Tumpag Asian Studies Summer Institute at the Phnom Penh; Isabelle Squires (MA/ (Indonesian) from Anthropology; Jesse University of Wisconsin-Madison— PhD student, history) and Carlo Aseron Conrad (Indonesian) from English; to immerse themselves in intensive (BA student, business administration) Scott Abel (Indonesian), Krista Albers language study in-country. Scott Abel studied Tagalog at the Christian (Khmer), Ryan Broce (Indonesian) , (PhD student, history), Scott Hanley Language Center. In addition, Tar yne Scott Hanley (Indonesian) and Isabelle (MA student, history) and Anthony Heredia (BA student, anthropology) Squires (Tagalog) from History; and Tumpag (MA student, anthropology) studied Thai andKrista Albers (MA Nicole Loring (Burmese), Thomas studied Indonesian at Wisma Bahasa in student, history) studied Vietnamese at Rhoden (Burmese), and Tiffanesha Yogyakarta; Katrina Chludzinski (MA SEASSI. Williams (Indonesian) from Political Scott Abel gets the 2014–15 Neher nod Growing up near the Jersey shore, Scott Abel wrote in his successful application Abel is the thirteenth graduate student to Abel (PhD student, history) grew up for the 2014–15 Clark and Arlene Neher receive the endowed Neher fellowship, with the sea in his blood, spending Graduate Fellowship for the Study of which was established in 2002 by NIU time on the water with his father and Southeast Asia. political scientist emeritus and former grandfathers, all of whom knew their Now in his third year in the History CSEAS Director Clark Neher and way around a boat. His father worked as department, Abel’s course of study has External Programming Director emeritus a chief engineer on various ships plying taken him through shipping records, and CSEAS associate Arlene Neher. The the Great Lakes. As a youngster, Abel archival records, and accounts of piracy $5,200 fellowship plus tuition waiver learned how to sail (“though I’m not an on the high seas. He has studied Malay for the next academic year is awarded in accomplished sailor!”) and as he grew and Indonesian, spending summers in spring to one advanced-level graduate older developed an interest in maritime 2013 in Malaysia as a FLAS fellow and student planning research in Southeast commerce and history. Fast forward past the past summer studying Indonesian in Asia. a bachelor’s degree from Washington Jogyjakarta. He also traveled College and a master’s degree in history to Singapore to do research from Rutgers to Abel’s first trip to at the National University Southeast Asia in 2011 with CSEAS of Singapore and hopes to Assistant Director Eric Jones’ summer delve into maritime records study abroad to Malaysia. The incoming in London later this year. It is doctoral student in history found his his hope that his dissertation place on the Southeast Asian studies “will illuminate the final years map: colonial maritime trade emanating of Malay maritime economic from Malaysia. dominance and provide a new “I hope to write my dissertation on how social history for the Malay Malay seaferers in the southern Straits people,” said Abel, who would of Malacca adapted to the challenges like to work as a regional expert of globalization, colonialism, and for the government or research technological advancement during the group after completing his Abel with the royal palace guards at the Yogyakarta Keraton (the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,” doctorate. sultan’s palace) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this past summer. 14 Alumni News

Distinction in action Srisompob Jitpiromsri (PhD political science, 1997), director of the Center for Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand, returned to DeKalb in October 2013 to receive a Distinguished Alumni award from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS). The college recognized Jitpiromsri for his work as a prominent figure in building peace between the Buddhist majority and the Malay Muslim minority in southern Thailand through two NGOs he directs, the Center for Conflict Studies and Deep Watch South. “Throughout his career, Dr. Jitpiromsri has been a voice for the oppressed, a champion for human rights, and an advocate for collaboration, education, and equality,” the college noted. As serendipity would have it, the Council on Thai Studies (COTS) was holding its annual meeting at NIU the same weekend as the CLAS awards, and Jitpiromsri received a second honor: opening the COTS forum. He presented “The Formation of Peace Discourse and the Politics of Recognition in the Patani Peace Process.” (Photo / NIU Year in Review)

Anies Baswedan (PhD political the Vietnamese American Initiative for Colette Morgan (BA political science- science, 2007), president of Paramadina Development in Boston, where she assists international politics, 2011) manages University in Jakarta, has been working with the youth program, teaches English membership, Malaysia and special over the summer on the presidential as a Second Language, and is working on projects for the US-ASEAN Business transition team for Indonesia’s creating a translation/interpreting service Council in Washington, DC. Morgan president-elect Joko Widodo, who is for the organization. finished her master’s in international due to be sworn in Oct. 20. Baswedan relations from the University of Chicago Shaun Levine (BA political science, is being considered for a presidential this year. 2004; MA political science, 2006) is appointment. moving from Washington DC where Sreinith Ten (MA political science, John Brandon (MA political science, he was a political risk analyst at the 2014) is working full-time at Voice of 1985), director of The Asia Foundation’s Eurasia Group to be the vice president of America Cambodia in Washington, DC. regional cooperation programs and government affairs for Southeast Asia at associate director of the foundation’s Metlife in Hong Kong. Washington, DC office, has joined the NIU Political Science department’s Advisory Council. Puppet master There are two new characters on display in the Center’s front office, thanks to NIU Poonnatree (Golf) Jiaviriyaboonya alum Gregory Kramer (BA political science 2013) who brought back two wooden (MA anthropology, 2012) has been shadow puppets back with him from Malang, Indonesia, where he spent eight weeks accepted into the PhD anthropology studying intensive Indonesian program at Australian National as a US State Department University. Critical Language Scholar. Joe Kinzer (MM music, 2012) has The puppets, from left, are received a 2014–15 Fulbright award to Bima, the Javanese knight, continue his research into pop-cultural and Semar, the king’s adviser. phenomena in Malaysia. To help the puppets stand on their own two feet, Outreach SarahEmily Lekberg (MM music, Coordinator Julie Lamb 2013), back in the US after a year as a crafted handsome wooden Fulbright English Teaching Assistant block stands. (see Horizons on page 6) is working at

15 One last look Center for Southeast It was a day to remember Asian Studies for Thai language professor John Hartmann, Council 2014-15 right, when Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Kenton Clymer / HIST Sirindhorn of Thailand, Liz Poppens Denius / CSEAS left, came to NIU on Rhodalyne Gallo-Crail /FLL Sept. 18, 2013 to receive Kikue Hamayotsu / POLS an honorary doctorate Trude Jacobsen / CSEAS-HIST of humane letters. In his NGOLD last year teaching before Eric Jones / HIST his retirement in May, Jennifer Kirker-Priest / ANTH Hartmann was a driving Kheang Leang / FLL force behind the royal Judy Ledgerwood /CSEAS-ANTH visit. There were lots of cameras documenting every aspect of the occasion. Among them was a video camera operated by Payungsak Kaenchan, a Wei Luo /GEOG Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant who worked with Hartmann Chalermsee Olson / NIU Libraries in 2008. Now a doctoral student in instructional technology at Boston Grant Olson / FLL University, Kaenchan traveled to DeKalb for the day not only to attend the Lina Ong / ITO ceremony but also to film Hartmann for a class project. The resulting video, Hao Phan / NIU Libraries aptly titled “One Day with Prof. John Hartmann” and posted on YouTube, is Deborah Pierce / International not only a record of the day’s special events, but also captures Hartmann in Affairs class, in his office, and at home where he has hosted many a Thai dinner over Barbara Posadas /HIST his 40 years of teaching at NIU. Alan Potkin / CSEAS Catherine Raymond / CBS-ART Susan Russell /ANTH Be a CSEAS donor Tomoyuki Shibata /PH-ESE The next half-century for Southeast Asian Studies at NIU will offer exciting Tharaphi Than / FLL opportunities for teaching and learning. To keep NIU’s program strong, consider Kurt Thurmaier / PSPA joining the CSEAS donor community through the NIU Foundation. To contribute by Kheang Un / POLS phone or by mail, go to the NIU Foundation website. To make a gift online, go to the Daniel Unger / POLS Donate Now tab. Under designations, select “college or university wide program,” then Jui-Ching Wang / MUS write in “Center for Southeast Asian Studies.” Continue on through the form. If your Katharine Wiegele /ANTH current employer matches your charitable donations, please take a moment to also fill Jim Wilson /GEOG out that form. We appreciate your gift and thank you for your support. Robert Zerwekh / CS

Center for Southeast Asian Studies CSEAS Office Manager: 520 College View Court Online Rita Miller Northern Illinois University u CSEAS: www.cseas.niu.edu Acting Outreach Coordinator: Julien Ehrenkönig DeKalb, IL 60115 u SEAsite: Language and Culture Resources on 815-753-1771 Southeast Asia: www.seasite.niu.edu FAX: 815-753-1776 u Facebook: CSEASNIU [email protected] u Twitter: @CSEAS_NIU

Front cover photo credit: Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Matthew Ropp (BA communications, 2013) ventures along a bridge was taken in Luang Prabang, Laos, on a tributary of the Mekong.

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