Geonomics Institute Joins Middlebury College: Organization Will Support Students and Faculty in International Studies Arena

Middlebury College President John M. McCardell, Jr., and Geonomics Institute Board Chairman Robert L. Krattli announced today that Geonomics has formally joined Middlebury College. Effective July 1, the new partnership expands the working relationship that already existed between the College and the non-profit, previously independent Institute.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Geonomics will broaden its mission through the new alliance. Traditionally, the Institute has focused on furthering global understanding by bringing together government policy makers, business leaders, and academicsforming partnerships that offer solutions to real-world economic, political, and social problems. Working closely with faculty and students at the College, Geonomics will help launch a new generation of international business and policy leaders, and provide a forum for the development and exchange of international faculty.

According to McCardell, ìInternational Studies is one of Middlebury Collegeís primary academic strengths. The partnership with Geonomics directly supports the new integrative major we have created in this field.î

Krattli said that the two organizations have been cooperating for some time. ìThe Institute has always wanted to collaborate more closely with Middlebury College. The Geonomics staff is looking forward to working with faculty on future programming, such as internships for students studying abroad.î

The Institute and the College currently cooperate on the following programs:

ï Executive-in-Residence Program: Provides a forum for students and faculty to engage in intensive interaction with international business and policy leaders.

ï International Internship Program: Allows students to gain valuable experience working on special projects in the Geonomics’ Middlebury office.

ï Policy Leadership Symposia: Offer seminars on emerging markets and executive retreats at the College’s Bread Loaf Campus in Ripton, Vt.

Along with projects focused on the College, the Institute will continue to pursue its relationships with groups abroad. Supported by outside grants, these efforts range from business development forums and training programs, to research publications.

Forums convene senior government officials, business executives, and experts from around the globe to examine specific international economic policy and business issues. On September 19-20 in Moscow, Geonomics will host its next business development forum entitled ìMoscow in the New Millennium.î

The Institute offers technical assistance and training through such initiatives as Community Connections. Funded by the US Information Agency, this program brings top Russian and Ukrainian government and business representatives to Vermont for internships and short, intensive management courses.

Kathryn Wittneben, president of the Geonomics Institute since November 1995, will remain in her position. Gail Stevenson, the former director of the American Collegiate Consortium, joined the staff this month.

More information on the Geonomics Institute is available at Geonomics Institute, 14 Hillcrest Ave., Middlebury, VT 05753; tel: 802-443-2300; fax: 802-443-2050; e-mail: geonomic@ middlebury.edu; or visit the World Wide Web site at http://go.middlebury.edu/rcfia.