Staff Achievement Award Goes To Behring

March 20, 2003
University Park, Pa. – Deanna M. Behring, director for international programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences, is the recipient of the W. LaMarr Kopp Staff International Achievement Award.

This award honors staff members who have made vital contributions to the University's international mission.

Behring came to Penn State in Sept., 2000, equipped with substantial international experience, including service with the International Affairs in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Central Intelligence Agency. Among her academic accomplishments had been to acquire a certificate in Chinese from Feng Chia University in Taichung, Taiwan, and a certificate in French from the Alliance Francaise in Paris.

In less than three years, she has reorganized and revitalized the international presence of the college. Among her significant achievements has been the designation of two Centers of Excellence to focus the College's attention on international activities. The Center of Excellence in Central and Eastern Europe builds on longstanding Cooperative Extension programs and a successful study abroad program with Moscow State Agricultural University. Recent additions to College programming under her leadership include another student exchange program with L'viv State Agricultural University in Ukraine, funded by the State Department and from the National Security Education Program. Similar emphasis is now being placed on a Center of Excellence in Latin America.

Behring established the Global Fund Awards to underwrite travel of faculty, staff and students to help develop promising international projects. Thanks to a donation from former Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Boyd Wolff, she also created the GOTCHA, a "pass-it-on" fund to provide partial funding for students to travel abroad. She also instituted a program of Study Tour Grants to entice more faculty members to incorporate international activities into their coursework. Her office has produced an in-depth video presentation by students who have had international experiences.

Behring will donate her cash award to GOTCHA.

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Contact:  Paul Blaum at 814-865-9481 or pab15@psu.edu