Global Professional Development Series featured distinguished alumni at fall semester events
Alumnus David Crane poses with student Abubakarr Sidik Sesay at the Global Professional Development Series event held in October.
91探花鈥檚 Center for International Studies (CIS) was honored to welcome alumnus David Crane back to campus during the fall semester, along with several other distinguished graduates.
An international leader in justice and law, Crane worked for 30 years for the U.S. government and later was appointed by the United Nations to serve as the founding chief prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where he was responsible for evaluating and prosecuting individuals who committed crimes against humanity and violations of international human rights that occurred during the Sierra Leone civil war, 1991-2002.
On Oct. 6, Crane returned to campus to provide the keynote remarks at a CIS Global Professional Development Series event, which also featured an alumni panel discussion.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always exciting and, most importantly, inspiring to be back at 91探花,鈥 Crane said. He earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in history in 1972 and his master鈥檚 degree in African studies in 1973 from 91探花. He also received an honorary doctorate of letters degree from 91探花 in 2017. He earned his J.D. from Syracuse University in 1980 and is now a respected expert in international law.
鈥淭he master鈥檚 degree changed my life in some very profound ways,鈥 Crane said. Earning his degree helped him to better understand the world and the United States鈥 place in the world. His education at the CIS taught him more than just history and politics, it helped him with understanding languages, cultures and much, much more.
鈥淢y degree from 91探花 in international affairs helped to shape my thinking and perspective,鈥 Crane said. He used what he learned from OHIO in every juncture of his career, and it was a key to his success.
As the chief prosecutor for the international war tribunal in West Africa, he used what he learned in his academic program to help him understand, connect with and work with the people of Sierra Leone. One example of this, he explained, was when he introduced himself to a local leader in that leader鈥檚 native language.
鈥淗e was speechless,鈥 Crane said. 鈥淚 learned that language here at 91探花.鈥 He added that he also applied what he learned at 91探花 throughout his work prosecuting the war crimes in Sierra Leone.
鈥淎ll of this circled back to my studies here in international affairs,鈥 he said.
91探花 student Abubakarr Sidik Sesay is from Sierra Leone and was excited and honored to meet Crane and to hear him speak. He explained that he and his family have great respect for the work that Crane did in Sierra Leone.
鈥淚 am just so happy to meet him,鈥 he said. He added that he also enjoyed hearing his keynote remarks and learned a great deal.
During the alumni panel discussion, Bethany George explained how her bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism and her Global Leadership Center (GLC) certificate had been key in her work in investment, portfolio and fund management.
鈥淚 chose to come to 91探花 specifically for the Global Leadership Center,鈥 George said.
The GLC offers experiential learning opportunities and international experiences through working with non-profit agencies, for-profit organizations, startup businesses and other entities.
鈥淚t gives you that safe place to go ahead and try new things when it comes to international education,鈥 she said.
George encouraged current students to take advantage of OHIO鈥檚 experiential learning programs, such as the GLC, and also advised students to make plans for their careers. Even though their careers most likely won鈥檛 go exactly as planned, it is good to have a compass for your career and to work on that while still in college.
鈥淚 really credit 91探花 for opening up my career,鈥 she said.
Judi Crane explained in her remarks that she never intended to do international work when she studied early childhood education at OHIO, but she is thankful that she had the opportunity.
鈥淵ou never know what your path is going to be,鈥 she said. The wife of David Crane, she worked in education for 20 years, often moving from job to job when the family moved for her husband鈥檚 job duties with the U.S. military.
Later in life, she worked for the U.S. Department of Defense, supporting U.S. families assigned to embassies around the world. She helped them enroll children in international schools, evacuate countries quickly if needed and assisted with a wide range of issues. She is grateful for the opportunity she had to do this international work and to assist U.S. families living around the world.
鈥淲hen it came to the families that I supported, I had a profound impact,鈥 Judi Crane said.
Omar Kurdi earned his bachelor of arts in global studies degree at OHIO, where he was in the first class of War and Peace Studies students in the CIS. After his time at OHIO, he completed a graduate program at a top school in France.
Kurdi is currently working in risk and reputation management for an international public relations firm, and took part in the panel discussion by Skype from where he is working in Russia.
鈥淚 never saw myself being in Moscow today. I never saw myself going to France. Somehow every step leads to another,鈥 he said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 have a plan, have a goal. Have a dream of something you want to achieve and just keep pursuing that.鈥
Kurdi also encouraged OHIO students to take risks in their careers and to take advantage of the opportunities that arise.
鈥淚f you have the opportunity to take a risk, you should do it. That鈥檚 the learning experience that will never come back again,鈥 he said.
For additional information on the keynote and panel discussion, .
For additional information on international studies, please contact the Center for International Studies at 740-593-1840 or visit the Global Professional Development Series website.
This article was provided by the Office of Global Affairs and International Studies.
Pictured are Global Leadership Center Director Matthew LeRiche, alumna Bethany George, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and International Studies Lorna Jean Edmonds, alumnus David Crane, African Studies Director Ghirmai Negash and alumna Judi Crane.