GEORGETOWN — Jonathan Newman is going global at Georgetown College after becoming a 2008 Madison Central High School graduate.
The 17-year-old was one of 10 freshman selected for a pilot class of Global Scholars, an extracurricular activity that complements student’s liberal arts education and prepares them for work in the international community.
“We just met each other,” Newman said about his fellow scholars. “We’re all from different cities.”
“There’s just so much encouragement that I’ll find with the fact that we’re a team,” he said. “We’ve already been doing a lot of team-based activities. It will help me be more prepared and more confident.”
Former Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins, who is a senior professor of International Relations at the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy, helped create Georgetown’s newest Program of Distinction.
The Global Scholars program is enhanced by a relationship with the Kentucky World Trade Center and an academic partnership with the Patterson School, a graduate program that builds global careers for its students.
“This program enhances, enriches and expands the outstanding liberal arts education Georgetown College students already receive and prepares them for future competition in the global marketplace,” Collins said on the program’s Web site.
Requirements include an internship with an international company or organization, an Internship in Washington, D.C., or a foreign country, attendance at program leadership events, selected required reading list, regular listening to BBC radio or viewing BBC television and a nomination/reference form with application for program admittance.
Upon graduation, Global Scholars will have participated in four years of programming and activities that will give them exposure to different cultures and teach them how to be leaders in our global community.
“The idea is to kind of be ready politically with a language and through a culture,” said Newman, who also is a member of Georgetown’s soccer team. “The vision is to enhance the learning experience for students with an interest in expanding their global perspective.”
Newman, who plans to major in Commerce, Language and Culture, will focus on the Japanese language.
“I’m real passionate about Japanese and their culture,” he said. “Luckily, Georgetown has Japanese. So, I’m going to take advantage of that. Right now, I just know a few phrases to get around. I actually know more Mandarin Chinese than Japanese from where Madison Central offered Chinese my senior year.”
“I love learning languages,” Newman said. “I’ve taken Latin I and II, Chinese I and II, Spanish.”
He became more familiar with Japan after training for two weeks in 2007 with missionaries in Tokyo through the International Mission Board.
“It’s was great,” Newman said. “I had a chance to work with missionaries and get to experience how we connect with people on the streets. A lot of the Japanese can actually speak English so it was easy for me to communicate with them. We went on college campuses and built relationships.”
That experience has propelled him to know what lies ahead for him in the future, he said.
“Ever since my junior year and that Tokyo trip I’ve known that I’ve got to focus on languages,” Newman said. “This is where I can best fit my purpose in life. I knew that God placed this Global Scholars program here and gave me this opportunity. It wasn’t an accident. I’m seizing it.”
Bryan Marshall can be reached at bmarshall@richmondregister.com or 624-6691.
Local News
Central grad going ‘Global” at Georgetown
- Local News
-
-
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
-
Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
-
EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
-
Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
-
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
-
Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
-
Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
-
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
