Grad Gets Fulbright Scholarship Regard for Their Academic Programs,” Said Robert Franek, Vice President of Mr
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
VOL. 45 NO.34 AUGUST 26, 2005 Academy #1 in professor availability By John Van Winkle Academy Public Affairs The Academy’s professors are the most accessible to their students in the nation, according to The Best 361 Colleges text, released Monday by the Princeton Review. The New York-based education services company features the Academy in The Best 361 Colleges, the new 2006 edition of its annual “best colleges” guide. Only about 15 percent of the four-year colleges in America are in the book. It has two-page profiles on the schools and student survey- based ranking lists of top 20 colleges in 64 categories. The Academy also came out in several top-10 rankings in the nation, including: #1 Don’t Inhale #2 Stone-Cold Sober Schools #2 Everyone Plays Intramural Sports Photo by James Lovely #3 Lots of Race/Class Interaction Song sung “Tops In” Blue #3 Jock Schools #4 Scotch and Soda, Hold the Scotch Vocalist and Senior Airman Aisha Smith, from Nellis AFB, Nev., leads the 52nd edition of Tops In Blue in a tune, Aug. 18, in the Arnold Hall Theater. The …And The Beat Goes On world tour, also performed Aug. 19 here before #10 Best College Library their Aug. 20 show at Buckley AFB, Colo. The expeditionary entertainment troupe started its non-stop travels #12 Best Overall Academic Experi- July 2. Its finale is March 10 at its home base, Lackland AFB, Texas. See Pages 16-17. ence for Undergraduates #18 Students Never Stop Studying “The main factor in our selection of schools in the book was our high Grad gets Fulbright Scholarship regard for their academic programs,” said Robert Franek, vice president of Mr. Haning Huges, an Academy Chinese Lieutenant Willis said he finds the publishing for The Princeton Review. Tests foreign language Language instructor, took the time to linguistic environment of Hong Kong “We evaluated them based on insti- skills in Hong Kong introduce the cadet to Air Force opportu- fascinating, and since the turn-over to tutional data we collect about the nities in pursuing his interests in China. mainland Chinese rule in 1997, has under- schools, feedback from students at By Butch Wehry Dr. Kenneth Lavin and Dr. Katherine gone dynamic changes. them, and visits to schools over the Academy Spirit staff Moskver, Academy Russian instructors The young officer should have no years. We also considered the opin- in the Academy Graduate Programs problems with the challenges of his ions of independent college coun- Joss, the Chinese call it. Department, were instrumental in his research. selors, students and parents we talk Destiny. Fate. It’s little wonder a former application for the Fulbright program. He will begin studies at the Chinese to and survey. Finally, we worked to cadet with a Chinese minor is now in Hong “The Academy provided a great envi- University of Hong Kong in the fall of have a wide representation of Kong as a Fulbright Scholar researching the ronment to further my interests in China, See SCHOLARSHIP, Page 4 colleges in the book by region, size, spread and influence of Mandarin throughout and I was able to travel to China twice selectivity and character.” Hong Kong society. through the summer and spring break The college profiles in The Best Second Lt. Brian Willis served as a immersions program, which greatly 361 Colleges also include candid missionary among Australia’s Chinese, then increased my interest and preparation for See TOPS, Page 4 spent two years in Sydney as a cadet teaching the Fulbright program,” the lieutenant free English classes to Sydney’s Chinese said. population. The lieutenant said he is learning a Inside “Through service, I grew to love the great deal working with the defense Chinese people and their culture. I also attaches from the Air Force, Army and Commentary . Page 2 learned Cantonese and Mandarin,” said the Navy stationed at the consulate and helping News . Pages 3-12 young officer from Albuquerque, N.M., out with translation when needed. Feature . Pages 13-18 now in Hong Kong’s U.S. Consulate’s Office “It has really opened my eyes to the Sports . Pages 19-20 of Liaison Affairs. military’s involvement with foreign affairs When the lieutenant returned to the and I am very grateful for the chance to Community . Pages 21-22 Courtesy photo Academy, Maj. Barry Savage, Academy be exposed to a part of the military that Second Lt. Brian Willis is on a International Programs Department, and very few junior officers get to see,” he said. Fulbright Scholarship to Hong Kong. Academy Spirit 2 COMMENTARY August 26, 2005 There are many roads to Texas, success By Col. Lela Holden loving family was indeed a sign of success in this life. If human life is richly diverse and varied, is it Air Force Surgeon General Office of Congressional & On the other hand, I know of examples of famous, not reasonable to say that critical matters related to Public Affairs accomplished scientists who have many publications God are as varied as well? and much prestige and recognition within the scien- Does it make sense to say that only one religion BOLLING AFB, D.C. — As my husband and I tific community who bemoan the fact they have not offers the definitive road to God? prepare for a transfer to another base and mission, we yet received a Nobel Prize. It seems by their defini- I think not. have been making plans to take leave in Texas. tion of success, they have failed to measure up. Religious tolerance, including tolerance of those As we’re looking at the map and discussing the There are many roads to success. who choose not to relate to formal religion at all, is options of flying versus driving, the short route versus Where am I going with this, you ask? critical for teamwork in the Air Force. a longer route to see more sites, and how much time Well, as the discussions and charges of religious But a deeper level is that of genuine respect — we want to take for the trip, I’m reminded of the many intolerance at the Air Force Academy swirl in the respect that others’ roads to God are valid. Indeed I choices and possibilities involved with decisions. news, and our senior leaders engage to address the would emphasize that all the world’s major religions For any trip there are truly many alternatives concerns, I am reminded about these simple compar- have not only much to offer, but much in common. based on individual needs, preferences, and priorities. isons of travel and success. For example, they all have some version of the There are many roads to Texas. It seems that much in life offers us multiple Golden Rule. In a similar vein, there are many roads to success. choices and roads, regardless of the arena. And if I would also suggest that a thin layer of toler- I was privileged to attend a retirement ceremony there are many roads to Texas, or to success, how is it ance that barely conceals the underlying belief that recently for a mid-level Airman who addressed the possible there are not truly many roads to God? one’s own religion is superior is not sufficient to question of “am I successful?” He then went on to For those of us who believe in an omniscient, truly build the teamwork our Air Force and country eloquently describe coming home late one evening omnipresent, loving Creator of our magnificent need. and watching as his three kids ran down the stairs to universe, and the source of our individual beings, how We need respect for the rich complexity and hug and welcome him home from the office. is it possible that any human can limit that Creator to variety of possibilities for us as humans, in relation Recounting this event brought a big smile to his only one road to understanding, loving, and worship- to all aspects of life, and in relation to God. face, as he stated without any hesitation, that having a ping Him? After all, there are many roads to Texas. A place to call home — defining your roots By Lt. Col. Tim Cothrel generation. As the country became holidays, vacations and visits. I feel like but onward, upward and forward in our 5th Bomb Wing staff judge advocate more and more industrialized, we I could drive there without a map from growth and our performance as individ- became more and more mobile. any point on the continent, guided by uals and as teams. MINOT AFB, N.D. — “There are Now that we are a post-industrial sheer instinct. But in spite of this necessity for only two lasting bequests we can hope nation, whatever that means, we have to In my heart’s eye, no matter where I regular changes in our jobs, locations, to give our children. One of these is be poised to move at a moment’s notice. am stationed, and no matter how plush co-workers, etc., the Air Force still roots, the other, wings.” — Hodding By the time my son is my age, my parent’s new condo turns out to be, manages to give us roots of another Carter, Pulitzer Prize-winning jour- thanks to the exploding growth of tech- that old brick house will always be what kind. We share history, customs, tradi- nalist. nologies like the Internet and cellular I picture when I hear the word “home.” tions, experiences and above all, My parents are in the process of phones, people will probably be in There are times I envy the stability purpose.