Thailand Program Earns Chancellor’s Award

Thailand Program Earns Chancellor’s Award

05/14/2013 

Orvil White, the SUNY Cortland faculty member who pioneered a summer program bringing the College’s student teachers to Thailand, has won a competitive State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Internationalization.

The assistant professor of childhood/early childhood education, who launched “Teach in Thailand: An Internship in Teaching Across Cultures” in 2012, is one of only four recipients across the SUNY system for 2013-14 and the first from SUNY Cortland in eight years. He will be recognized during the 2013 Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, in the Park Center Alumni Arena.

“I was very pleased to receive the Chancellor’s Award and it is nice to have the time and hard work on the Thai program recognized,” said White, a SUNY Cortland faculty member of six years. “I know it is not my effort alone that is being rewarded as I have supported my many others along the way. 

“That support has come from my department chair, the College president and certainly from Mary Schlarb, the director of SUNY Cortland’s International Programs Office.  I also believe this award will continue to strengthen the collaborative efforts that have been established between SUNY Cortland and our Thai partners.”

The Chancellor’s Award for Internationalization distinguishes new and innovative programs in less commonly traveled destinations, along with the study of underrepresented academic disciplines in international programs. It also provides $4,000 to support White’s Thailand program and encourage student participation in the future.

Coordinated by SUNY’s Office of Global Affairs, the top proposals for the highly competitive award are selected by a committee of SUNY campus representatives from statewide applicants.

White was no stranger to Thailand when he built the program. In 2005, he developed a working relationship with graduate students from the Science Education Center at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok. He has visited the country six times, providing 20 professional development workshops for teachers and five university lectures during his travels.

This past August, a group of seven spent nearly three weeks in the Southeast Asian country, leading a series of professional development workshops for Thai teachers. Along with White, that group included SUNY Cortland senior childhood/early childhood education majors Kayleigh Caswell and Courtney Cox and Associate Professor of Childhood/Early Childhood Education Susan Stratton.

Orvil White
 White

In addition to getting a taste of teaching English as a second language (ESL) in a foreign classroom, the SUNY Cortland students — as well as students from Tompkins Cortland Community College and SUNY Cobleskill who joined them — demonstrated a more hands-on type of instruction for Thai educators. Thai teaching relies heavily on antiquated lecture methods, so the task of the group from Cortland was to bring hands-on inquiry, which included games and activities, to the overseas classroom.

The trip was possible thanks to a unique partnership SUNY Cortland shares with SWU. Sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the Office of the Basic Education Commission, which provided transportation, housing and teaching materials in Thailand, it’s a working relationship that views this past summer’s visit as the first of what will become a regular study-abroad destination for SUNY Cortland students.

The SUNY system’s international programs database currently only lists two programs in Thailand. SUNY Cortland’s blueprint would allow future teachers throughout the system to hone their teaching skills while developing global competency and cultural awareness.

The program, in short, captures the essence of “SUNY and the World,” one of Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher’s six fundamental ideas for the system. The award for internationalization has been earned by just 41 projects over the past decade.


More News

The Driver Era to close out Spring Fling

The Driver Era to close out Spring Fling

The band concludes a Coachella-themed week of fun at SUNY Cortland.


Cortland earns SUNY’s Shared Governance Award

Cortland earns SUNY’s Shared Governance Award

The system-wide honor recognizes collaboration between Faculty Senate and campus leadership.


Chinese politics scholar to speak

Chinese politics scholar to speak

China’s focus on Tibetan religious customs as a power wedge is talk topic on March 20.


The Big Event Returns April 21

The Big Event Returns April 21

Cortland's student-run community cleanup has potential as a statewide model.


Student shares mental health research nationally

Student shares mental health research nationally

Kyla Young presented her original findings at a rescue service providers conference.


‘Harvest Week!’ culminates ‘Food’ series

‘Harvest Week!’ culminates ‘Food’ series

Topping the week of April 8-12's activities is a talk by the ‘Braiding Sweetgrass' author.


Physics and art departments host eclipse viewing  

Physics and art departments host eclipse viewing  

A rare solar phenomenon will unite the worlds of physics and art on campus. 


Vote for Blaze in SUNY's Mascot Madness!

Vote for Blaze in SUNY's Mascot Madness!

Cortland's mascot needs your vote to advance past the annual popularity tournament's second round.


Prizes offered for student opinions

Prizes offered for student opinions

Undergraduates have until April 5 to complete SUNY’s Student Satisfaction Survey.


Three students earn SUNY Chancellor’s Awards

Three students earn SUNY Chancellor’s Awards

The seniors will receive the prestigious student honor at an April 11 ceremony in Albany.