July 21, 2000 UNT Inhouse publication: Uswachoke grants distributed to faculty

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Uswachoke grants distributed to faculty

This summer UNT has awarded $44,570 in 2000-01 Charn Uswachoke International Developmental Fund Grants to 10 faculty members in schools and departments throughout the university.

The grants are proceeds from an endowment established by Uswachoke, a native of Thailand, who received his master of business administration degree from UNT in 1973. In 1995, he donated $1 million to enhance international educational programs for both U.S. and international students at UNT. The International Development Fund was included in that gift.

Each year, funds from the endowment support faculty and staff projects that focus on the world and contribute to international exchanges, curriculum innovations and other activities that enhance UNT's international endeavors.

Grant recipients are chosen by David Kesterson, vice president for academic affairs, in consultation with a committee. Kesterson says preference is given to projects that are connected with officially recognized university exchange programs and similar projects, present opportunities for long-term international relationships, and leverage funds from other sources.

This year's recipients of the Charn Uswachoke International Development Fund grants are:

Harlan Butt, professor of visual arts — $3,520 for an international enamel exhibition at the National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum in New Delhi, India, and an American, Canadian and Mexican enamel exhibition at UNT.
Ted Coe, professor of accounting, and Jared Hazleton, professor of finance, insurance, real estate and law and dean of the College of Business Administration — $5,000 for the Center for North American Free Trade Agreement Studies.
Robert Erdle, professor of visual arts — $4,050 for his Expansion of Western Watercolor Teaching Experiences program.
Sylvester Flores, Department of Housing and Urban and Development faculty associate in the School of Community Service — $4,000 for work with the U.S.-Mexico Partnership for Community and Public Service.
Gopalakrishnan Ganesh, associate professor of marketing — $3,000 for a UNT Study Abroad program in India.
James Kennedy, professor of biological sciences — $7,000 for an environmental education training workshop for secondary-level teachers from the North Texas region and Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico.
George Morrison, professor of teacher education and administration and Velma E. Schmidt Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education — $4,000 to implement his Success for Life program in Thailand.
Rollie Schafer, professor of biological sciences and vice provost for research — $10,000 for an Africa-UNT graduate program initiative.
Ronald Wilhelm, associate professor of teacher education and administration — $4,000 for an environmental education curriculum development initiative for Chilean educators.