Posted by ERIC WILSON – After the busy final weeks of classes and graduation, Dean Rutherford had a chance to respond to some of the questions that have come his way:
Q. I attended your graduation and really liked the Lyon Pipe Band. How did you select them?
A. I like the Lyon Pipe Band too. As a member of the Lyon College Board of Trustees, I’ve admired the band for years and thought it would be great to have them. The band’s participation also emphasized our school’s international outreach and service. In addition, one of our 2009 graduates, Russ Swearingen, is a Lyon College graduate so it was also nice to salute his alma mater.
Q. Every summer you send students abroad to work on international public service projects. How do you select the programs and the countries? Are you worried this year about swine flu?
A. One of our staff members, Joe Ballard, does a great job in placing students for these projects. We start working with the students at orientation about their international assignments for the next summer. In some cases, the students find projects. In some cases, the school recommends them. In all cases, the school approves the final selection. Regarding swine flu, our students have been briefed by Dr. Gary Wheeler, a Clinton School alumnus and an infectious disease specialist. Furthermore, they have been urged to regularly access the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for updated information. Many of our students are going to parts of the world where there could be other concerns like malaria, typhoid and yellow fever so they have received immunizations and information about these and other diseases as well. Preparing in advance for health related matters is a major component and high priority of our international program.
Q. Have your recent (2009) graduates been successful in finding jobs?
A. Though it is a very tough economy, many of them have. We start talking about “post Clinton School opportunities” with our students soon after they arrive and strongly encourage them to network with our many guest speakers/visitors and also consider their long-term careers when they select their international and individual (Capstone) placements. As an example, one of our recent graduates, Ryan Lewis, now works with 826 National, an outstanding organization, in San Francisco. Ryan met Dave Eggers with 826 National at a Clinton Global Initiative University conference where Eggers was speaking. Later this month Ryan will return to the Clinton School where he will introduce Eggers who will be speaking here.
Q. Are there any special events planned for the five year Clinton School anniversary (2004-2009)?
A. Yes. Our new class, the class of 2011, will be our 5th class. We’ve already begun working on 5 year anniversary plans and will be doing so throughout the summer. Hopefully, we can announce our schedule–or at least a significant portion of it–on or around August 1.
Q. Do you expect any major cutbacks as a result of the economy?
A. None are currently planned. In a recent “annual report” letter to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and volunteers, I noted that we have been preparing for these challenging times. As I’ve said on many occasions, our strategy of low overhead and minimal infrastructure pays big dividends during a bad economy. In addition to our own buildings, we maximize the use of existing facilities and resources. As a result, we don’t have debt or deferred maintenance costs enabling us us to devote more to service and scholarship. What really helps is that we also have two diligent staff members: Chief Administrative Officer Dianne Kelly and Chief Financial Officer Carol Kordsmeier who consistently monitor our operations and keep me well informed.
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