MU | N e w s
Skendaj named to
endowed professorship
Elton Skendaj joined
Manchester’s faculty this fall
as the Gladdys Muir Associate
Professor of Peace Studies.
The endowed position
enhances MU’s reputation as
the world’s first undergraduate
peace studies program and a
global leader in peace studies
education.
A native of Albania, Skendaj
started his journey in peace
studies by witnessing conflict
in the Western Balkans. That
background inspires his current research program, which addresses how
international and local actors can build political institutions that sustain
peace and justice in post-war societies. He is the author of the book,
Creating Kosovo: International Oversight and the Making of Ethical Institutions.
Skendaj will work alongside Katy Gray Brown ’91, associate professor
of philosophy and peace studies, who will continue as director of MU’s
Peace Studies Institute and Program in Conflict Resolution.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from the American University in
Bulgaria, a master’s degree in peace studies from the Kroc Institute at
the University of Notre Dame, and a master’s and Ph.D. in government
from Cornell University.
His work at Manchester will include teaching courses for peace studies
majors as well as the general education program.
6 |
MU has a spirit of giving
For many college students,
what happens outside
the classroom can be as
transformative as what happens
inside the classroom.
That’s why Giving Tuesday
on Nov. 28 will use social
media platforms to support
the whole student experience
at Manchester, says Elena
Bohlander ’14, assistant
director of The Manchester
Fund.
“Providing education is so powerful,” explains Bohlander, “because
you’re not just changing the lives of current students, you’re having a
positive impact on all of the lives those students will go on to touch.”
From undergraduates to pharmacy students, community engagement is
a powerful component of the MU experience. Last year, the people at
MU donated more than 60,000 hours of service to help people in their
communities and around the world. They served meals, helped construct
Habitat for Humanity houses, volunteered at Red Cross blood drives and
tutored local school children, to name just a few.
Many faculty members even build service learning into their course
requirements.
“Our mission calls us to improve the human condition,” adds Bohlander.
“For people at Manchester, it’s also a call to action.”