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Summer 2004
GW Launches Innovative Arabic Studies Program
In response to the increasing need for fluent Arabic speakers in both
public and private circles, the GW Classics Department and the University
Honors Program have launched an innovative summer Arabic studies program
for honors students. The Margaret and Edward Gnehm Summer Honors Program
in Arabic Language Studies provides a full-tuition summer grant for a
special 12-week, eight-credit course allowing 31 students selected from
a pool of 57 candidates the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the
language. The students will continue their Arabic studies in the fall
term.
Students who competed for the program wrote an essay explaining why they
feel the study of Arabic is significant.
“It says a lot about the academic commitment of these students that
they are willing to stay in Washington and attend classes over the summer
break,” said David Rowley, deputy director of the honors program.
The program is a direct response to America’s need for Arabic-speaking
citizens in the aftermath of Sept. 11. Although college enrollment in
Arabic nearly doubled between 1998 and 2002, study of the language in
the US is still relatively modest.
“With this program GW steps up to serve our country and the international
community in a positive way,” said GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg.
“Educating our students to facilitate communication with the Arab
world is one way that GW can be part of the solution to the global challenges
of our times.”
The program was formed through the inspiration and support of Ambassador
and Mrs. Gnehm. Ambassador Gnehm is a former member of the GW Board of
Trustees and a US Ambassador to Jordan, Kuwait and Australia who raised
the American flag over the US embassy after the liberation of Kuwait in
1991. He recently was named the 2004-05 J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor
in the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
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