Lauren-Marie Diawatan
\n<\/b>Campus News Editor<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
On September 10, the School of Diplomacy hosted its annual Dean\u2019s Welcome event in celebration of the new school year. Held on campus, the lunch event was a great opportunity for faculty members and students to socialize. The excitement was palpable during one of the first in-person events hosted by the Diplomacy School since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the University\u2019s in-person closure in March 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n Dean Courtney Smith, head of the School, delivered the opening address to faculty and students, stating that \u201clast year was tough, but it was a very successful year for the School of Diplomacy.\u201d He emphasized how students successfully advanced their interests within the School during the pandemic, with all of the School\u2019s student organizations functioning during the 2020-2021 school year. He also congratulated the creation of the Black Diplomacy Student Organization and its recognition as the Best New Student Organization from Seton Hall\u2019s Student Government Organization.<\/span><\/p>\n He further acknowledged the success of the Diplomacy School\u2019s faculty both inside and outside of the classroom. Dean Smith praised the faculty members\u2019 extensive article publications and their policy-driven focus in research, especially about the recent developments in Afghanistan and the impact of COVID-19 throughout the world in the past year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dean Smith also announced the initiative of the School\u2019s students and faculty wanting to do more following the murder of George Floyd. The School of Diplomacy established committees dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and justice, with three new courses dedicated to race, gender, and religion in the field of international relations. Despite the \u201cforces pulling us apart\u201d in society, the country, and in the international community, Dean Smith closed his address by emphasizing the strength and success of the School of Diplomacy coming together as something \u201ctruly remarkable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Following the address, various representatives from the School\u2019s student organizations had the opportunity to introduce themselves and encourage interested students in taking part of their work on campus. Faculty also introduced themselves and their specializations, eager to begin working alongside the new and returning students.<\/span><\/p>\n Freshman student Kaila Engle expressed how she was originally nervous about joining the School of Diplomacy, but the Dean\u2019s Welcome opened her eyes to the various organizations and opportunities available. \u201cI\u2019m so interested in learning the different aspects [of the School of Diplomacy], and I\u2019m really excited to start the school year here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Associate Dean of School of Diplomacy Elizabeth Halpin expressed her excitement in hosting the Dean\u2019s Welcome after this past year with COVID-19 restrictions. \u201cJust being able to gather with this many people in person is such a relief.\u201d She greatly appreciates the interactions within such social events like the Dean\u2019s Welcome, finding them necessary to build the skills and connections with the school\u2019s community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Joseph Huddleston had similar enthusiasm for the return of in-person classes and events at the School of Diplomacy. \u201cEven with masks on, everyone is very excited to be in person, to have face to face interactions with each other as peers – that\u2019s visible to me, as an instructor.\u201d While there is some uncertainty in the future, Dr. Huddleston stated that there is a great chance for normal operation in the School of Diplomacy going forward. Dr. Huddleston is an assistant professor at the Diplomacy School, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses as well as being the founder of the DiploLab, the school\u2019s undergraduate research lab.<\/span><\/p>\n The Dean\u2019s Welcome event was an excellent opportunity for the School of Diplomacy\u2019s community to reconnect and to foster new connections with new and returning members. The eagerness of the faculty and the students demonstrates great promise for success in the new school year.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On September 10, the School of Diplomacy hosted its annual Dean\u2019s Welcome event in celebration of the new school year. Held on campus, the lunch event was a great opportunity for faculty members and students to socialize. The excitement was palpable during one of the first in-person events hosted by the Diplomacy School since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the University\u2019s in-person closure in March 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4929,"featured_media":10912,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2235,546,389],"tags":[704,1093,1737],"class_list":["post-10902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-september-2021","category-campus-spotlight","category-diplo-news","tag-school-of-diplomacy","tag-deans-welcome","tag-dean-smith"],"yoast_head":"\n