The University’s 41st Anniversary Celebration Dinner on May 14, 2008, was praised by the large number of participants as a delightful occasion. In keeping with its theme, “World Peace Through Higher Education,” the distinguished speakers illuminated the foundation of education in achieving understanding among free people. The two photographs below verify the interest and pleasure of some of those present in the University’s Democracy Hall of Fame International during the evening that began with the dignified Presentation of the Colors by the United States Capitol Police Ceremonial Unit.

In his stirring address on the celebration’s theme, Board of Governors member and former Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Albert del Rosario, cited the pioneering courage and foresight of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in establishing education in the Philippines that achieved democratic representation, separation of church and state, and racial equality in a government open to all talents. International cooperation in education continues to provide the promise of improving individuals, communities and nations, especially when it is done by sincere partners who foster local initiative as well as global understanding and collaboration among nations.

University Governor Ambassador J.William Middendorf, who has served as Secretary of the United States Navy as well as an Ambassador, spoke about the significance of higher education in improving the lives of people all around the globe. He reminded participants that significant improvements have been made, and are continuing to occur, with the number of democracies increasing from 37, when International Graduate University was founded, to 112 today. He further observed that our progress in research and communications is ushering in an era comparable to that resulting from invention of the printing press and the industrial revolution.

The Summary Report of International Graduate University’s 41st Anniversary Celebration, Continued.

Emphasizing the value of cooperative endeavors among institutions, the presidents of three degree granting institutions in the Washington region provided brief observations of World Peace Through Higher Education. Dr. Joseph S. Drew, President of the University of Virginia, emphasized that world peace can be most fruitfully advanced through heightened academic study of all societies today to gain appreciation of their worldviews and how these affect their behavior toward one another. Already, he noted, the UN has called for more scholars to study cultural fault lines between civilizations so that potential clashes between them can be less likely. Dr. John Lenczowski, President of the Institute of World Politics, mentioned how their objectives supported the theme of this session. As President of International Graduate University, Dr. Walter E. Boek, said that to be a positive force in world affairs, education must focus on more than acquisition of ethnocentric beliefs for answers to the purpose of human life. Rather, it must provide step stones of knowledge that free individuals and societies from perceived beliefs and stimulate them to think beyond the narrow confines of hate focused on humans whose behavior varies from theirs. Observations from these three educators were moderated by University Governor, Frederick Douglass IV, who added his wisdom.

That International Graduate University is learner-oriented, with focus on students was aptly stated in a laudatory letter to the University president from Mrs. Inga Harrison, a current student in the College of Management who read this near the end of the program. Among her plaudits was the “unique and thoughtful way he selected the professors of my classes”. Other students participating in this 41st celebration were: Angela Delos-Santos, Carol Doby, Claudette Green, Glen Grier, Hamid Al-Habib, Helen Hancock, Nia Inman, Everistis B. Kalaba, Jacqueline Mitchell, Anil Nowranghi, Dada Oyekan, Tuluv Price, Rodney Savoy and the Honorable Newstead B. Zimba.

The evening ended with the beautiful singing of America, The Beautiful by Board of Advisors member Mrs. B.J. Douglass.