Biographical Note

Internationalism has been an important characteristic of Springfield College since the very beginning of the school in 1885. As the 20th century progressed, international education, administration, and foreign student advisors were badly needed at the college due to increasing foreign student enrollment and expanding overseas programs. As such, largely through the efforts of Dr. Attallah A. Kidess, the functions and roles of the International Center were approved by the Board of Trustees, and the center was officially established in 1965.

Before the International Center was established, there were many international programs conducted at the college, and connections with other countries were extensive. This was due to the strong tie that existed between Springfield College and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Founded in 1885 as the School for Christian Workers, one of the main purposes of Springfield College was to train YMCA professionals. This included secretaries (administrators/CEO’s) and physical directors (professionals who ran the gymnasiums and gymnasium programs). Moreover, Springfield College’s academic programs, such as physical education and sport training related programs, attracted many international students involved in YMCA and other institutions. Over the years, the college educated international YMCA leaders from all over the world and sent many of its graduates to work overseas. This international influence was reflected in the changing names of the College, known at various times as the International YMCA Training School and the International YMCA College.

During these early years, several faculty members, including professor Frank M. Mohler, Dr. Theodore A. Wiel, and Dr. Attallah A. Kidess, worked with and played an important role in guiding international students and programs. Professor Mohler was the Director of the Department of International Service at the College. In 1928 he was appointed to direct the Cosmopolitan Club. Established in 1921, the Cosmopolitan Club acted as a home away from home for international students and facilitated a supportive international atmosphere on campus. In addition to these duties, professor Mohler also acted as advisor to all foreign students, including the students at the newly formed YMCA School of Physical Education in Geneva. In 1947 Dr. Theodore Wiel followed Professor Mohler as the director of the Cosmopolitan Club. After the Second World War, there was a huge increase in international students, with many students coming from Europe. He was assisted during this period by long-time college supporter, Mrs. Margaret Wood. Dr. Attallah A. Kidess was originally an international student, graduating in 1935. After 12 years of service in the Jerusalem YMCA, he returned as a faculty member in 1948. Kidess was named Foreign Student Advisor in 1955, a position he held until he was appointed the first director of International Center officially in 1965.

The establishment of the International Center was achieved under Dr. Kidess’s guidance and initiative. In a letter from Dr. Kiddess to Dean Cummins E. Speakman on October 7, 1963, he underscored the need to have two rooms, one for him and one for the secretary. In 1965, with a gift of $ 15,000 from Olive Doggett, President Laurence Locke Doggett’s wife, he dedicated the new International Center in a ceremony in Carlisle Foyer of Alumni Hall. The center had a suite of three newly decorated rooms located in the southeast corner on the first floor of Alumni Hall, the main room of which was named "The Laurence Locke Doggett Room". In November 18, 1972, the center was officially named the Lawrence Doggett International Center and moved to the second floor of the Marsh Memorial Building.

Dr. Kidess was the Director of the International center until 1980 when he was replaced by Dr. Frank Fu, who had been the International Student Advisor since 1978. One of his contributions was to build connections with East Asia and South America. During his time, the first official cooperation agreement with a Chinese institute, the Beijing Sport University, was signed. This agreement was signed in 1981. Also, under the leadership of the Hong Kong Chinese YMCA and Dr. Fu, the International Academy was established in 1982. The International Academy was designed to help international students get an education in the United States, by providing cultural, language, and academic programs mainly to students from East Asia.

Dr. Kenneth Wall became the director of the International Center in 1983. Dr. Wall continued to extend international outreach and many study abroad programs were set up for Springfield students and international students, visiting scholars, and coaches coming to the college. Dr. Wall also continued to promote the college’s international influence in Asia, South America, and Europe. From the summer of 1999 to the spring 2003, Dr. Richard Yam was the Acting Director of the International Center, while Dr. Ken Wall was away for International activities. Also during this period, the International Center moved multiple times, including to the Conference & Special Events building (# 500 Alden Street) and the Admissions Building in 1989 and the bottom floor of the Admissions Building in 1992. In 2004, Professor Deborah Alm became the Interim Director until she was appointed the Director in 2005. Professor Alm came the college as an instructor of the English as Second Language Program in 1993. Under her tenure, the International Center moved to the new Richard B. Flynn Student Union and, to increase recruiting efforts in China, opened two recruitment offices, on in Beijing (October 24th, 2016) and the other in Shanghai (January 14th, 2017).

Additional Staff:

Mrs. Nora M. Arbuckle - assisted Dr. Kidess

Carol Leger (1979-1992) - assistant to Dr. Frank Fu

Marjorie Poole - assistant to Dr. Frank Fu

Addis Bekele (1999- ) - Administrative Assistant

Sarah Heminger (2010-July 2013) - Assistant Director

Suzanne Ryan (2014-2017) - CLASP Coordinator

Brian McGuinness (2014- ) - Assistant Director

Chronology

1921: Cosmopolitan Club founded.

1928: Professor Frank M. Mohler appointed Director of the Cosmopolitan Club.

1947: Dr. Theodore A. Wiel appointed Director of the Cosmopolitan Club.

1965:

Dr. Attallah A. Kidess appointed the first director of the International Center.

The International Center was opened in Alumni Hall.

1972: The International Center was moved to the Marsh Memorial Building.

1980: Dr. Frank Fu appointed second director of the International Center.

1983: Dr. Kenneth Wall appointed the third director of the International Center.

1989: International Center moved to Conference & Special Events building (# 500 Alden Street) during and the Admission Office (the two floors-house in Middlesex Street)

1992: The International Center moved to the basement of the Alumni Hall, including the offices, the language class rooms, and the international student lounge.

2004: Professor Deborah Alm appointed fourth director of the International Center.

2010: The International Center moved into the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union.

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