Dear Friends ~
Greetings from LSJ! There has been an exciting buzz in the air as students have returned to the classroom and we work to get our experiential learning opportunities fully operational once again. I have enjoyed working once again with our students, faculty, staff, and alums on a variety of initiatives since I returned to the role in June after a short medical leave.
Of course, these initiatives include our immersive, experiential learning opportunities. LSJ will be offering four study abroad courses in 2022, with five more on deck for 2024. And after a temporary, pandemic-induced hiatus, we are delighted to be offering Philanthropy Lab again this spring. Last year, students in the Philanthropy Lab course focused on human rights issues affecting youth in Mexico and Central America. This time, the focus will be on journalism and human rights issues in the same region, and specifically, the challenges faced by journalists seeking to expose human rights violations. Our gap year and career panels are back up and running in person, which has been such a joy. Many thanks to all the alums who make these events possible! Our Annual Day of Service event will take place this spring - stay tuned for more details!
Our faculty continue to teach with dedication and enthusiasm, and to produce high-quality and impactful research. This past winter, Professor Rawan Arar published her first book, entitled The Refugee System: A Sociological Approach, co-authored with David Scott FitzGerald. Professor Arzoo Osanloo’s book, Forgiveness Work: Mercy, Law, and Victims Rights in Iran, won a second major award, the inaugural Mossavar-Rahmani Center Book Award, an international biennial prize for best scholarly monograph in English in Iranian and Persian Studies. We are also thrilled that Professor Ann Frost (LSJ and Sociology) has been nominated for the Distinguished Teaching Award and Kat Eli, LSJ Academic Services Director, has been nominated for the Distinguished Staff Award.
We think of our alums often, and are so grateful for the opportunity to keep in touch with you and learn about what you are up to. And, your support is, as always, greatly appreciated!
With gratitude and warm wishes,
Katherine Beckett