EWC to host Fulbright Scholar in Residence

Eastern Wyoming College has been notified that the proposal submitted to participate in the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program has been approved and was awarded the Fulbright grant by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. EWC will host Dr. Titus Man, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Geography, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Dr. Man is one of approximately 800 outstanding foreign faculty and professionals who will teach and/or research in the United States through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program in 2013-2014. The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program brings scholars and professionals from abroad to U.S. colleges and universities to significantly internationalize campuses and curricula.

“The EWC Board of Trustees has encouraged this project since it was first considered several years ago. Very few community colleges host a Fulbright Scholar-in Residence. I was fortunate to have worked with individuals in Colorado to bring several to a small rural campus,” shared Dr. Tom Armstrong, EWC President. “This is a tribute to the hard work of our diversity committee, the office of Learning, and of Dr. David Banville – a Fulbrighter himself. Our college and community will benefit from Dr. Man’s content area knowledge and, beyond that, an exposure to a more global perspective in a number of areas.”

Dr. Man is researching and applying promising advancements in using sensing technology to manage crop production, soil erosion, drought, and land. Romania, his country, shares common soil and climate characteristics with EWC’s regional service area. In addition, both countries experienced severe drought conditions during summer 2012, and understand the importance of utilizing advanced techniques to optimize crop, farm and ranchlands.

“We are excited to have Dr. Man join us for the next academic year. As we entered the competition for the Fulbright Scholar, the entire community supported our effort. David Banville, Instructional Technologist from EWC, led the writing effort with many others contributing. We received support letters from key individuals in the community representing schools, and service organizations along with others,” commented Dr. Dee Ludwig, Vice President for Learning.

“We believe that Dr. Man will have a very active speaking schedule as he meets with various constituents. We are privileged to have Dr. Man coming to share with us his expertise in agricultural areas that are pertinent to our communities throughout our service area. This represents the first time Eastern Wyoming College has hosted a Fulbright Scholar.”

Planned academic activities for Dr. Man at EWC include teaching a course in the Fall 2013 semester, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Agriculture. This course will introduce students to the uses of remote sensors and other technologies to detect soil, erosion, crop, or drought issues on farms and ranches. In the Spring 2014 semester, Dr. Man will teach Land Management. In this course, students will examine the broader facets of making agricultural land more productive, water allocation and purity, land optimization, soil erosion control techniques, and general environment responsibility.

“The Fulbright application process is highly competitive, and I’m obviously quite excited that our college received a Scholar-in-Residence award. It is testament to everyone’s contributions in crafting a compelling application packet. I had a wonderful teaching and research experience as a Fulbrighter in Romania a few years ago, and I look forward to our college and community hosting a Romanian scholar. It will be an incredible opportunity for cultural and academic exchange,” shared Dr. David Banville.

Dr. Man will also offer five topical seminars open to all EWC students and community members.
These topics are planned: (1) using remote sensing data to track weather data on farm and rangelands; (2) crop growth and productivity simulation; (3) monitoring of drought, floods and wind-induced soil erosion; (4) precision ranching using geographic information systems; and (5) using technology to create environmental sustainability.

“We are particularly looking forward to working closely with SAREC and the University of Wyoming agriculture faculty and to encourage collaboration between their researchers and Dr. Man,” added Dr. Ludwig. “The areas of drought management and techniques along with erosion control techniques are important in our geographic area as well as in Romania. In fact, the geography and weather patterns are very similar.”

Dr. Man will be arriving in Torrington in August.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The Program operates in over 155 countries worldwide.

Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has given approximately 318,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

If you are interested in having a presentation to your group or organization by Dr. Man, please contact Dr. Ludwig at 307.532.8221 or by email at dee.ludwig@ewc.wy.edu.

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