Welcome to each of you from the Parents Association. What an exciting time to be associated with The University of Iowa. As a lifelong Hawkeye fan, former student, and now a parent, I cannot recall any time in the University’s recent history where so much change and excitement abound. Extraordinary construction on campus in the past year provides opportunities to view and enjoy a beautiful Old Capitol and a state-of-the-art Kinnick Stadium. More important, the faces of the University that have grown to be so familiar to us, President David Skorton and Athletics Director Bob Bowlsby, are gone. But they will be replaced by others who most certainly will continue the tradition of excellence and bring the exuberance and innovation typically associated with new leadership. What  a bright and exciting future awaits our students at The University of Iowa.  

As our students return to Iowa City from summer break, I am struck by the number of students who pursued experiences abroad. My own daughter, a junior education major, spent the summer in South Korea working in a teaching position. This is the second continent she has experienced through a teaching-related position, having spent the summer between her sophomore and junior years teaching in Germany. I am aware of many other Iowa students who pursued internships, course work, and other career-related employment in countries throughout the world.

As a father tending to six children, the youngest in second grade, my opportunities for experiencing the world have been limited. I still do not possess a passport. That is why I am so impressed by the opportunities The University of Iowa affords its students to experience other cultures; to develop a worldview on education, business, science, and politics; and to enhance possibilities for future international employment. While few of these opportunities allow students to come home with significant amounts of money in their pockets, many of the programs provide financial assistance so that all students can avail themselves if they simply plan ahead and take the initiative to explore the variety of University programs. 

My suggestion to all parents of first-year students, sophomores, or juniors is to sit down with their students and specifically plan for and incorporate an international experience as part of the students’ undergraduate education. The lifelong benefits of this experience will truly prove invaluable. The  Office of International Programs, located in new campus space in the University Capitol Centre,  is available to assist students. The web site is  http://intl-programs.uiowa.edu.

On a final note, I want to encourage every parent  to become actively involved with the Parents Association. There simply is no better way to initiate and maintain a close connection to the University and the education your son or daughter is experiencing. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the members of the Parents Association Advisory Board, or to contact the on-campus liaison, Belinda Marner, at parents-association@uiowa.edu or 319-335-3557. Visit the Parents Association online at www.uiowa.edu/~parent. 

Best regards to each of you.

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