The Beta Zeta Chapter: Building on a Tradition of Internationalization

Since its establishment and recognition by Governor Richard F. Celeste at a nationalPhi Beta Delta national conference in 1991, Kent State University’s Beta Zeta chapter has remained steadfast in its commitment to recognize the achievements of international students and scholars, while promoting awareness of international education. This commitment is reflected in longstanding activities, such as the provision of international awards and scholarships. More recently, however, the chapter has expanded its activitiesto include a seminar series, a newsletter, and active sponsorship of campus events with an international focus.

The Beta Zeta chapter was established on April 16, 1991, by administrators, faculty and key staff who recognized the need to advocate for international education at Kent State University. Spearheading the effort was Dr. Giovanna Jackson, an Italian scholar who served as Director of the International Office of Student Affairs (currently known as International Student and Scholar Services).

Significantly, Dr. Jackson assumed her leadership position during a period when international enrollments at Kent State University were on a steep downward slope, having fallen by more than 40% in the previous four years—this was in contrast to marked growth nationally and in competitor institutions. Her efforts to reverse this tragic situation were hampered by significant budgetary and resource constraints and the challenge of unsupportive supervisors.Despite these obstacles, Dr. Jacksonremained passionate about international education and continually sought creative ways to support international students and scholars.

"Dr. Jackson prevailed on the University’s provost to appoint a blue-ribbon committee to examine the overall structure of international student services,” noted Dr. Charles Nieman, Director of International Student and Scholar Services. The committee’s recommendations, he added, included an urgent request that the campus community spotlight the achievements of international students and scholars.

"The best means to achieve this goal was through the creation of an honorary,” Dr. Nieman said. "Thanks to a strong core of supportive faculty, staff, and students, the Beta Zeta chapter of Phi Beta Delta would boast more than 120 founding members.”

From the beginning, the Beta Zeta chapter’s most celebrated event was its induction and awards ceremony, held during the University’s "Honors Week.” Under Dr. Jackson’s coordination, these ceremonies were lavish affairs, replete with candlelight and orchestral music. At one point, the chapter even had its own theme song, "On This Planet We Call Home,” which was set to music by international composer and KSU Emeritus Professor Halim El-Dabh.

Although some rituals have fallen by the wayside over the years, the chapter’sannual ceremony remains at the center of its efforts to promote international education at Kent State University. Ceremonies routinely feature distinguished keynote speakers on international topics. More importantly, the ceremonies offer recognition to a diverse group of students, faculty and administrators who have achieved academic excellence, promoted international exchange, and demonstrated outstanding scholarship in their fields.

In the mid-1990s, Dr. Charles Nieman encouraged the Beta Zeta chapter to expand its efforts to promote awareness of international education. "In many respects, Giovanna’s dream of utilizing Phi Beta Delta’s local chapter to showcase student scholars has been achieved,” he said. "One of the issues that we’ve struggled with over the years is what kind of identity we want to establish for our Chapter. At the heart of this is a redefining of the nature and purpose of an international scholar honorary that uniquely matches our University’s goals and aspirations.”

These years were transitional in many respects and witnessed the retirement of several senior leaders who had played a key role in establishing the Beta Zeta chapter. Among these leaders areProfessors Emeritus Thomas Barber, Margaret Baxtresser, D. Ray Heisey, Gordon Keller, Terry Kuhn, Sandy Marovitz, Gerald Read, and Gene Wenninger.

Today, the chapter continues to define itself as a facilitator of internationalization at Kent State University. President Ted McKown, Assistant Director of Admissions for International Recruitment, announced recently that the Beta Zeta chapter has raised its campus profile with a host of new activities.

"While the honorary will maintain its primary focus on showcasing excellence in international scholarship and service, Phi Beta Delta will not limit itself to providing international awards and scholarships,” President McKown said. "We want to be part of a larger effort to make KSU more representative of what’s happening in the global educational market.”