Pitt Law’s Ron Brand honored with Sheth Award

Pitt International Week will kick off on Oct. 14 with a ceremony honoring the Sheth Award winners for Distinguished Faculty and Distinguished Young Alumnus.

Receiving the awards this year are:

  • Ronald A. Brand: Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg Professor, John E. Murray Faculty Scholar, and academic director of the Center for International Legal Education in the School of Law. Under Brand’s leadership, CILE has played a major role in teaching, scholarship and service to the global legal community. Brand, who has been at Pitt Law for 37 years, “truly embodies our vision for internationalization of the University,” says Pitt’s Vice Provost for Global Affairs and University Center for International Studies Director Ariel C. Armony.
  • Silver Francis Oonyu (M.Ed., 2012): founder, Silver Memorial Inclusive Learning Center (SMILE) School, the first inclusive school in Teso region of Uganda. In his own words, Oonyu is “legally blind, but privileged to be visionary.” At the age of 4, the Uganda resident lost his sight to measles, and was unable to get any special education services. He dreamed of someday opening a school for children with disabilities. This vision was reinforced and supported by the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, where Oonyu earned a master’s degree in special education. In 2014, Oonyu broke ground for the SMILE school, where more than 200 students are currently enrolled.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by a reception in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room. RSVP to Jason Kane (jek108@pitt.edu). The award ceremony will be live-streamed. Learn more about the honorees here.

INTERNATIONAL WEEK ACTIVITIES

Oct. 14

Get to Know the Global Hub: 2:30-3 p.m., Pitt Global Hub, first floor, Posvar Hall. University faculty and staff are invited to take a guided tour of the new Pitt Global Hub.

Pitt Irish Dance Club performance: 8-9 p.m., William Pitt Union dining room B. The Pitt Irish Dance Club will be performing Irish dance numbers set to both traditional and contemporary music. During the first half of the event, our dancers will put on a show. During the second half, volunteers can come onstage and learn an Irish jig.

Oct. 15

International Programs Fair: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sennott Square, second Floor, Pitt Business. The College of Business Administration's International Programs Office will host an International Fair to promote study abroad and other international opportunities to business students.

Get to Know the Global Hub: 2-2:30 p.m., Pitt Global Hub

International Speed Friending: 4-6 p.m., WPU Lower Lounge. Whether you’re an international student looking to make American friends in Pittsburgh or a native speaker of English interested in meeting people from different cultures, this free event is the place to be. Seating is limited, so register in advance to reserve a seat.

Argentine Tango Demonstrations, Lessons, Practices: 6-8 p.m., Posvar Hall. The Panther Tango Club has lessons every Tuesday night at Posvar Hall.

Brain Candy Podcast Live: 6-8 p.m., WPU Assembly Room. The Brain Candy Podcast team, Susie Meister (Religious Studies, 2014) and Sarah Rice, muse about their experiences with reality television, travel abroad, and everything in-between. Their guests will be Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office, and Bill Fuller, corporate chef from Big Burrito Restaurant Group. Pitt students who attend will have the chance to win a $1,000 study abroad scholarship. Pizza will be served. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact rom17@pitt.edu.

Oct. 16

City Of Asylum Exiled Writers Residencies: noon-2 p.m., O’Hara Student Center dining room. The City of Asylum Exiled Writer Residency Program, which is housed on the North Side, is a long-term residency for literary writers who are in exile from their home countries and under threat of persecution because of their writing. Writers from Syria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Sudan will read their work and talk about their stories of exile and sanctuary.

International Games: 3-5 p.m., Pitt Global Hub. Participate in international card and board games.

Godzilla On My Mind: 6:30-9 p.m., WPU Assembly Room. William Tsutsui, president of Hendrix College in Arkansas, will discuss Godzilla’s impact, followed by a screening of the original “Gojira.”

Polish Language Workshop: 9-10 p.m., WPU 837. The Polish Culture Club invites students with no or some prior knowledge of Polish to learn basic Polish and have some Polish snacks.

Oct. 17

Language Partner Match: 2-4 p.m., Pitt Global Hub. Interested in practicing a foreign language one-on-one with a native speaker? Join the Pitt Global Hub's Language Partner Match, which pairs students with similar interests.

Pitt to You Information Session: 6:30-7:30 p.m., 630 WPU. The Pitt to You program is seeking current undergraduate Pitt students who are willing to serve as student ambassadors to welcome incoming Chinese international students. This information session will provide valuable information regarding the application process and trip details.

World Brew: Global Tea Party: 6:30-8:30 p.m., 548 WPU. Enjoy teas, sweeteners and finger foods from around the world. Create your own unique blend as a take-a-way.

Happy Hour for International Postdocs: 7-9 p.m., Casa Brasil. Discover bites of South America with Brazilian dishes, Cuban drinks and demonstration of salsa. Limited to 30 attendees for a cost of $10.

Oct. 18

International Student Career Conference: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., WPU Assembly Room. Through speakers, panelists, and a breakout session, international students will receive valuable career advice and leave feeling prepared to succeed in a global world.

Employability (Made) In Germany: 2-4:30 p.m., O’Hara Student Center dining room. Pitt and UAS7 alliance of seven German Universities of Applied Sciences will bring together a range of speakers to address career and study options with German universities and businesses. This will include rotating roundtable discussions followed by a networking hour with traditional German snack foods.

German-Spanish Cultural Mashup: 4-6:30. p.m., Pitt Global Hub. Students of all levels of German and Spanish will co-mingle and teach each other the basics of each language in a social setting.

Undergraduate Student Global Trivia: 6:30-8:45 p.m., O’Hara Student Center ballroom. Compete with groups of up to five students and test your knowledge in global categories like Global Current Affairs, World Culture, World History, Geography, and more. Register your team.

Graduate Student Global Trivia: 9-10:30 p.m., O’Hara Student Center ballroom. Register your team.

International Week is hosted by the University Center for International Studies in collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs.