Press Releases
Monterey Institute Celebrates Beginnings
New President Inaugurated while 299 Students Receive Master's Degrees on Saturday
Invited guests, faculty, students, and dignitaries from around the world attended the inauguration ceremony outside historic Colton Hall in Monterey. Featured speakers included Ronald Liebowitz, President of Middlebury College, and Nabil Fahmy, former Egyptian Ambassador to the United States and Chair of the new Middle East Nonproliferation Project at the Institute's James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. Fahmy's keynote speech named knowledge as our first line of defense from terror, hatred, and fanatic fundamentalism. He also stressed the urgent need to change the negative perception of the U.S. overseas, and the value of offering students the opportunity to learn and grow in a truly international environment.
In his inaugural address, President Ramaswamy spoke of the evolving relationship between Middlebury and the Monterey Institute - which next year will see MIIS become a graduate school of Middlebury — and tremendous range of new opportunities for students and faculty offered by enhanced collaboration between the two internationally-focused institutions. He also congratulated the graduates and spoke of their role in making a difference in the international community and continuing the tight bond of MIIS alumni around the world. "In addition to being a leader in international graduate education, we are a community of individuals committed to making a difference in the world, by training the leaders who will be the solution to the world's most pressing problems."
Dr. Ramaswamy is the former dean for faculty development and research at Middlebury College and former project director for the Middlebury-Monterey Integration Task Force. He is a widely recognized scholar and professional in international and development economics. Ramaswamy received his Ph.D. in economics from Purdue University, an M.S. from Purdue, an M.A. in economics from the Delhi School of Economics, and a B.A. in economics from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, India. Dr Ramaswamy has worked with the World Bank on projects fostering economic reforms, and has been a consultant to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization on specific projects in India.
The Monterey Institute of International Studies, an affiliate of Middlebury College, is made up of four graduate schools-International Policy Studies, Translation and Interpretation, Language and Educational Linguistics, and the Fisher School of International Business-unified by a commitment to language and cross-cultural communication. Students and faculty actively engage in addressing and shaping major business and international issues, such as nonproliferation, global trade, and environmental concerns. Graduates pursue meaningful careers in government, international business, education, and nonprofit organizations in more than 100 countries. Established in 1955, the Monterey Institute is located in the heart of historic Monterey, surrounded by the adobes and artifacts of early California. For more information visit www.miis.edu. or call (831)-647-4100.
About Monterey Institute of International Studies
The Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), an affiliate of Middlebury College, is a private graduate institution located in Monterey, CA. It is at the forefront of international professional education, preparing students for global careers in the private, public, nonprofit, and educational sectors. MIIS also offers graduate degrees in translation and interpretation, international policy studies, international trade policy, international environmental policy, business administration, and language teaching. MIIS has approximately 800 students from nearly 70 countries.