2003-2004 Humphrey Fellowship Program at Penn State


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	The Humphrey Fellowship Program is a one-year non-degree program of combined academic and professional development opportunities. It brings accomplished mid-career professionals from designated countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East to selected universities in the United States for public service, advanced study, professional training, and work-related experiences. The program was established in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter to honor the late vice president Hubert H. Humphrey. As the fellowship was being founded, Carter received encouragement from a key advocate—former Penn State President John Oswald. “Oswald was very active in the formative planning of the program,” said Rahman. “He was instrumental in nurturing and forming it.” Penn State was one of 13 universities originally commissioned in the program. Now about 15 universities nationwide participate. The program has reciprocal benefits. The Humphrey fellows gain a perception of American culture during their year-long visit. In turn, the fellows provide an important benefit to the faculty, administrators, and students of Penn State and the other participating universities. “Here is a resource than can bring in diversity and ideas,” said Rahman of the Humphrey scholars. “Their presence offers an international component to an instructor’s curriculum.” This year, ten Humphrey fellows are visiting Penn State. They attend classes, panel discussions, and other functions, often in full groups or subgroups. The make-up of the group varies, depending on the nature of the event. Acting as a group within larger group settings can be an impetus for creating innovative academic approaches. “With their insight, these scholars can put forward the generation of new ideas,” said Nelson. “The global aspect is significant.” The Humphrey Fellowship Program stands apart from other fellowships because it is non-degree. “These scholars are interested in the development of the self rather than the pursuit of a degree,” said Rahman. “They are participating in a professional development program that is built on relationships.” Rahman stressed the service that the fellows provide. “The most important aspect of the Humphrey program is that it’s related to public service,” he said. “The program was set up the way Hubert Humphrey lived his life: to help serve the people.” The program at Penn State is based on Humphrey’s 1967 philosophy: “Governments don’t have ideas, companies don’t have ideas, laboratories don’t have ideas, and contrary to popular myth, computers don’t have ideas. But people do have ideas—not people in the mass but the individual human beings.” Penn State Humphrey alumni fellows are located in more than 100 of the 168 countries identified by the United Nations, said Rahman. Some of the international Penn State alumni clubs are headed by former Humphrey Fellows. The Humphrey Fellowship Program is administered by the Institute of International Education and the primary support for the program comes from the United States Department of State.