Janet
Rasmussen

An administrator with a long history of academic service and international expertise will lead the Wang Center for International Programs at PLU. Janet E. Rasmussen was appointed director of the center for its inaugural year. The center was funded late last year through a $4 million gift from Peter Wang '60, and his wife Grace.

"Janet has a passion for international education that will provide the Wang Center with a strong foundation and take PLU's international programs to a new level," said PLU President Loren J. Anderson. "She is deeply committed to developing new international opportunities for both students and faculty."

Rasmussen was a professor of Norwegian and Scandinavian Studies at PLU from 1977 to 1991, and during that time served as dean of Humanities, chair of the Department of Languages and Literature and coordinator of the Scandinavian Area Studies Program. She was named president of Hollins University in Roanoke, Va. in 1996. She provided initial planning for the Spring 2003 Wang Center symposium," China in the 21st Century: Prospects for Peace."

The Wang Center, which is now located in Rosso House on PLU's upper campus, will support international study programs, provide more study abroad opportunities for students, complete dynamic research in global studies and offer regular public education and symposia.

The center got another boost with a $455,000 grant from the Teagle Foundation to enhance international education at PLU. Spanish professor Tamara Williams was named faculty director of the Teagle Project. Williams and political science professor Ann Kelleher are on the Wang Center's Board of Directors.

Visit encore!, for more on the Wang Center.