University News

Bishop’s University/SUNY Plattsburgh Sign Partnership

May 17, 2011

Sherbrooke, QC, May 17, 2011 – Bishop’s University Principal Michael Goldbloom and Dr. John Ettling, President of the State University of New York (SUNY), Plattsburgh Campus, recently signed a three-year partnership agreement between the two universities. Bishop’s University and SUNY will continue a partnership that will allow American students to come to Bishop’s over the summer as interns at the Eastern Townships Resource Centre (ETRC). Three years ago, Dr. Christopher Kirkey, Director of the Centre for Canadian Studies at SUNY, initiated the internship project that brought three SUNY students to live on the Bishop’s campus for a period of 8 to 10 weeks to work on a number of heritage-related projects that ranged from archival research to assisting in the organization of conferences and lectures.  Representatives of Bishop’s University, SUNY and the ETRC recently gathered to celebrate the signing.

Principal Goldbloom reminded those present of an oft-celebrated phrase in a speech given by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in the House of Commons on May 17, 1961: “Geography has made us neighbours, history has made us friends, economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies.” This sentiment was also reflected in short speeches given by Dr. Ettling, Dr. Kirkey as well as Dr. Cheryl Gosselin, President of the ETRC. All noted that Bishop’s University and SUNY Plattsburgh were natural partners in their common pursuit of knowledge and mutual understanding. The students coming to Bishop’s University and discovering the Eastern Townships would benefit not only from a warm welcome but from a new contact with a distinct culture, a new language and an enriching work experience. They in turn would contribute to solidifying the ties between the two universities and bring their own experience, culture and outlook to the campus community.

This year, Bishop’s and the ETRC will be welcoming Nicholas Rando, a French major at SUNY. Mr. Rando will work under the supervision of Jaroslava Baconova, Executive Director of the ETRC, Jody Robinson, ETRC Archivist, and Cheryl Gosselin, ETRC President.

“Top row, left to right: Dr. Christopher Kirkey, Director Centre for Canadian Studies, SUNY; Dr. Cheryl Gosselin, President ETRC; Jaroslava Baconova, Executive Director ETRC; Dr. Michael Childs, Vice-Principal Academic, Bishop’s University. Bottom row, left to right: Dr. John Ettling, President, State University of New York; Dr. Michael Goldbloom, Principal, Bishop’s University”

Photo credit: Maxime Picard

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