(BLUEFIELD)–Dr. Sudhakar R. Jamkhandi, who organized and now directs the Center for International Understanding (CIU) at Bluefield State College, recently received the “2002 Cyrus R. Vance Award for International Understanding in West Virginia” during a formal ceremony at the Cultural Center in Charleston. The award is presented through the Office of the West Virginia Secretary of Education and the Arts each year to an educator or educational organization that best exemplifies the dedication of the late Cyrus R. Vance, a Clarksburg native who died earlier this year after serving as U.S. Secretary of State in the 1970s.

Jamkhandi has announced that the $5,000 gift accompanying the award will be used to establish the Center’s “Study Abroad” program. “Through this program, deserving students at Bluefield State College will be able to gain an appreciation of other cultures studying at a college in another country, preferably in Russia,” he explained. He also noted that the award will augment the CIU’s viability in seeking other grant opportunities as well as contributions to the newly established Scholarship for Study Abroad for BSC students.

More than 600 public officials and private sector leaders from 36 countries have visited BSC and the region through the training programs organized and hosted by the CIU for the US Department of State, the US Agency for International Development, and the Library of Congress Open World Program.

“Through these programs, we have a very real opportunity to exemplify the best in our society even as the community experiences a sense of satisfaction in sharing their aspirations and achievements with people from other parts of the world who share the same dreams and hopes,” he continued. “We have received a great deal of help from the entire community here, and the impact of our program has had a ripple effect in the community. Really, this award belongs to all of them.” “I was very pleased to receive this award, but everyone who has worked with us through the years deserves to share in this recognition,” Jamkhandi said and extended his heartfelt thanks to his wife, Carolyn, whose family lives in Clear Fork in Wyoming County; CIU Program Facilitators Roger Woodrum, Ed Lowe, and Myles Haden; CIU Washington, DC Liaison John M. Simmons, CIU New York Liaison Ashot Navasardyan, and CIU Russian Alumni Projects Coordinator Sergei Zhigulov.

“This award provides the impetus to promote even greater international education through the center.” Area schools desirous of infusing an international dimension into their curricula are especially encouraged to contact the Center for International Understanding at Bluefield State College at (304) 327-4036. Future goals include the establishment of a language institute to serve all of West Virginia, a Russian studies program at BSC, and a legislators’ exchange program to facilitate trade, possibly in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Education.

November 27, 2002