NOTES ON OXFORD ROUND TABLE VOICES

“It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to attend the Oxford Round Table in August.  I sincerely meant it when I said that I will forever cherish attending the Round Table as one of the great experiences of my career.  The presentations and discussions were tremendously exciting and thought-provoking, and the socializing over meals and during the tours and nighttime pub-crawling just reinforced the friendships that were struck.  The topics chosen were interesting, even for non-Americans, and covered a wide enough field to offer something of value to everybody.  I learned a tremendous lot from almost every presentation and the papers I brought back will be put to good use here.  The venue obviously contributed to having an uplifting academic discourse.  When one falls under the spell of so much history, learning and the sheer academic atmosphere of the town, one cannot but perform way above one’s abilities!  Choosing Oxford for these conferences is a master stroke.”

Professor Rassie Malherbe, Rand Afrikaans University, South Africa

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“I would like to thank each of you for making the Oxford Roundtable an outstanding experience for me.  I appreciate the way my wife, Becky, and My son, Ryan, were involved and included in the activities.  They felt like a part of the group and were treated very special.  I appreciate the leadership, guidance and direction you both offered the Round Table group.  The organization of the daily sessions was excellent with tremendous input.  I liked the last day summary for the individuals.  The other aspect of the Oxford Round Table is the tremendous connection that we were able to develop.  You both took time to get into conversations not only with my family, but all of us.  I would rate this group very high on being cooperative, courteous and able to cope with one another.”

Dr. Gary Niehaus, Superintendent, Salem Elementary School, Salem, IL

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“My associate, John Kappenberg, and I were honored to attend this past summer’s Oxford Round Table at St. Antony’s College in Oxford.  I must say that having attended distinguished programs at Harvard, Yale, Morocco, Beijing and other noteworthy cities, I found this one to include an ideal balance of substance, creativity and a vigorous exchange of viewpoints.”                      

Dr. George Goldstein, Superintendent of Schools, Sewanhaka Central High School District, Floral Park, NY

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“What a pleasure it was to be with you and the other members of the Oxford Round Table for the fine educational program last week in Oxford.  You were a most hospitable and inviting host and you made us all feel welcome.  You beautifully orchestrated the sessions and we all appreciated the wealth of experience and insight you brought to our deliberations.  The program was one of the finest professional experiences of my year, or indeed, of any year.  I came away singing the praises of the Oxford Round Table to my colleagues in the Georgia System.  Certainly, you will be having others join you if they are fortunate enough to be invited in years to come.”

Dr. Betty L. Siegel, President, Kennesaw University, Kennesaw, GA

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“This is to express that the Oxford Round Table was a wonderful, once in a lifetime educational, cultural and social experience, which far exceeded my wildest expectations.
The presentations were well articulated, diverse and thought provoking, the panel discussions spirited, candid, honest and respectful.  Thank you for a very valuable and enlightening experience.”

Lawrence Nichols, II, Chief Human Resources Officer, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

A sense of history attaches to everything in this Chamber. Speakers elocute from Dispatch Boxes once used in Britain's House of Commons.  Victorian stained glass windows cast eerie beams of light on the proceedings.  Portraits and busts of former Union presidents and noted speakers line the walls.  One portrait in particular riveted me all week: a stunning oil painting of Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto, elected president of the Oxford Union in 1976 when she was a student at Lady Margaret Hall.  In 1988 Bhutto became the first woman to lead a Muslim country.

Founded in 1167 AD, Oxford is the world's oldest English speaking university.  Its main library, the Bodleian, holds the world's largest academic book collection. Its thirty-nine independent colleges have produced world-class leaders in nearly every field imaginable. The Ashmolean Museum contains, among other treats, one of the finest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts outside the British Museum in London.  Mercifully, both the medieval city and its historic colleges are intact, having been spared any bombing during World War II.  Perhaps that's why some of the scenes in the "Harry Potter" flicks were filmed in Christ Church College.  Hordes of eager adolescent Potter fans nearly ran me over as I toured the College and Cathedral one afternoon.

St. Antony's College, founded in 1948, housed the Round Table participants.  A graduate school focused on international studies, St. Antony's draws visiting scholars from all over the world.  It also offers some of the most modern dormitory accommodations found at Oxford.  As a British historian and one-time London resident, I had visited Oxford in the past.  Not until this summer, however, had I truly experienced the university.  Living "in college" and walking from St. Antony's on Woodstock Road to the Oxford Union in the city center each day exposed me to student life in all its vibrancy.

Blackwell's Book Shops in Broad St. are an academic's paradise.  Rumor has it that even Cambridge (the Other Place) scholars visit these shops.  Here you can find nearly anything in print.   A diehard fan of the "Inspector Morse" series on A&E, I bought an intriguing guide to all the Oxford locales featured in Colin Dexter's mystery novels.

Even the pubs of Oxford reek of history and tradition.  Take, for example, The Eagle and Child, known in university circles as the "Bird and Baby."  Here C. S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, J. R. R. Tolkien and other literary giants of the mid-20th century used to meet on Tuesdays to share their works-in-progress.  Its cozy "snugs" offer a quiet space in which to sip a pint while discussing the affairs of the world  -- often with perfect strangers.  I wonder if some of the characters in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings were not, in fact, modeled on denizens of this popular watering hole.

What I learned from the Round Table and its Oxford setting will augment my courses in American Women's History, British History and the History of Ireland.  Since I stole time to visit the Ashmolean, even my Ancient World course will doubtless undergo some revision.  Contacts made at the Round Table will certainly further my research into women in Irish politics.  Funding for this kind of faculty development needs to be increased.

More importantly, the University of Tampa Honors Program features an Oxford University semester experience.  I encourage all Honors Students to compete for the three scholarships available each semester.  And I urge the UT administration to make more of these opportunities available.  With 616 Honors students on campus, it seems only reasonable to expand the Honors Abroad program.  If one week at Oxford University can change the perspective of a veteran professor like me, just think what a whole semester can do for our UT Honors students just beginning their careers.”

Constance B. Rynder, Professor of History, University of Tampa, Florida

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The week was a definite highlight in my career and one that has motivated me to work harder and longer in so many ways. You do a wonderful job coordinating Round Tables. Thanks for everything.

Diane Kinneberg, Principal, Northfield Public Schools, Northfield, Minnesota

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I thank you for developing and sustaining your Oxford program.  The concept of bringing together a diverse group, out of culture, for a week of intense discussion is a wonderful one.  The format of information each morning had exactly your desired effect of encouraging discussion over meals and on field trips. I have already discussed with colleagues other applications for this approach.

The experience was transforming.  It has produced new friendships and working relationships.

Thank you for finding a way to put your obviously heart-felt convictions into such wonderful practice.

Helen Remick, Asst. Provost for Equal Opportunity, University of Washington, WA

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The extensive staff work behind the scenes is obviously another reason for the success of the conference.  I thought I would tell you about how much the experience at Oxford meant to me as an educator.  What a great group of people, similarities and differences alike.  I wrote an article about the Round Table that will be in our district report to the community.  It is called the Shareholder's Report and it was difficult to keep it to the minimum number of words they wanted.  I will be sharing with the 36 elementary principals in our district on Friday by request of the director.  She asked me to do this because of a couple of very brief comments I made to her about " how I spent my summer."  She could tell that it was a life changing experience for me and she thought my enthusiasm for the job could help several others.  To view life and our place in it through a broader lens is so valuable.  It is energizing for our colleagues and our students who depend on us to bring that to them.

Kathy Landry Principal Meadow Point Elementary School Cherry Creek School District, Aurora, Colorado

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What a great experience and what a great job you did with overall organization, activities, etc.  I truly enjoyed the experience and discussions with other educators.  It was an honor to be there.  Thank you again for your efforts to make the Round Table a success. 

Gerald Hopkins, Superintendent/Principal, Huntington Public Schools 16J, Oregon

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I enjoyed the Round Table thoroughly, and found it to be one of the most valuable academic conferences I have ever attended.   Thank you,

Pamela A. Zeiser, Ph.D., University of North Florida

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I just wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation for an absolutely wonderful experience! The Roundtable was truly an exceptional conference of women, and our facilitator was very gracious and competent. I'd also like to personally thank the staff from Lady Margaret Hall, all of whom contributed greatly to making our visit wonderful. They all made us feel like family. Again, many thanks for an opportunity to share the Oxford life, if only for a small slice of time...Best regards,

Monalisa McCurry-Mullins, Ph.D., University of Dayton

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I have not had time to send a note of appreciation. I will try to do so in more depth to everyone on your end that work(ed) so hard on this.  I did not fill out one of the feedback survey things while still there...but I enjoyed the experience very much and thought all the organizers did an excellent job of creating a really top notch opportunity.  Oddly, alternative summer programs such as this are exactly the kind of thing I am interested in and why I decided to do a leadership doctorate. I appreciate what goes into producing such an event, and to be honest, think the organizing and watching it happen, might be more fun than participating. 

The dorm was great and the food was great, and using the debate hall was a terrific and appreciated plus as was the dinners in the nice hall.

Thank you so much! and Thanks also for helping my guest be able to attend, she loved every second. Whoever found her a room with a bathroom deserves an extra hug.

Lorrie Brown (Could not find in Data Base)

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I mailed you the evaluation forms and I was remiss in not saying something about your staff. I want you and all involved in organizing this conference to know of the truly outstanding job that they did. They were extremely helpful and very well organized. Without fail, they responded professionally and promptly to all my questions and needs. Bravo for a job well done!!    Regards,

Manoug Manougian, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL  33620

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This is a warm and sincere thanking note for the opportunity you gave me to participate in this years' Oxford Round Table.   It was a rewarding trip and an excellently organized conference.  Our days were full of academic inspiration and Oxford 'experiences'.  Congratulations to you and all your colleagues!   Wishing you more success to your future ventures, I remain sincerely yours.

Evdhokia Karayanni, Professor of History, American College of Greece, Athens, Greece

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I would like to thank all concerned for a wonderful experience at the 2007 Round Table at St Anne's College.  The experience seemed formidable when I first considered participating.  Your staff was truly helpful in my decision to attend and to present a paper.  This was a first for me but I hope to consider participation in other similar events in the future.  The staff at the college were most cordial and helpful at all times.  The closing banquet was greatly enjoyed by all and ended in a true example of a round table as we joined in a circle of prayer and praise.  May God's blessings surround you and all the participants each day.

The Rev. Roger M. Robillard, Vicar, Trinity Episcopal Church, Highland Springs, Virginia

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I wanted to write and thank you for everything that you do. This was my second trip to Oxford and was by far my best trip to Europe ever. I was so impressed with the faculty at Harris Manchester. The scholarship at this round table was so detailed. I took 23 pages of notes on the papers presented in addition to reading the papers. My classroom presentations and my tone have been significantly influenced by what I learned, and for that I am eternally grateful.  All the best to you and your staff

Narges Niedzwiecki, Professor of History and Political Science, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA