Bryant networks bring faculty, alumni to China

Professors Joe Ilacqua and Judy Barrett Litoff spent a month in China this summer, while a group of Bryant alumni visited Beijing during the Olympics.

Richard Kurland ’75 and his wife Ilene have done their fair share of traveling. They have been to England, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, and even Israel.

In the past, they contemplated going to China but never ended up doing so. Then they learned of an alumni trip that Bryant was planning to coincide with the Summer Olympics in Beijing. They were two of the first people to sign up.

“With our desire to travel the world, we were excited to learn about the trip,” says Richard.

(Photo on the left) Richard '75 and Ilene Kurland on the Great Wall. (Photo on the right) The Kurlands drift down the Li River on their personal bamboo raft.

Even though the couple only met up with their traveling party as they were waiting for their flight in New York, Richard says there was an instant connection because of their ties to Bryant. “We expected a great time and great travel companions, and we were pleased with both,” he says.

Richard says the University’s ability to continue to provide once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities for alumni ensures they maintain a strong connection with their alma mater.

“There is always more power in numbers,” says Richard. “If Alumni Relations continues to keep alumni together in this way, our power as a University will continue to grow.”

Bryant alumni and students on the Great Wall.

A shared connection

Shannon Dunnigan ’93, ’97 MBA has been active with Bryant as a class steering committee member and a regular participant in Reunion @ Homecoming activities. Joining the trip to China was the pinnacle of her Bryant alumni experience to date. “It was pretty spectacular,” she says.

The group included alumni from as far back as the Class of 1957 and as recent as the Class of 2006. “Everyone got along, and it was special that we all had Bryant in common,” says Dunnigan.

Shannon Dunnigan ’93, ’97 MBA shows off her Bryant pride on the Great Wall.

Also traveling to China were Carole ’59 and Art ’60 Sukel, who were attracted by the opportunity to explore a new country with a close-knit group of Bryant alumni.

“It was great to be able to take advantage of this opportunity and hopefully others sponsored by Bryant in the future,” says Art.

Carole ’59 and Art ’60 Sukel with the Terra Cotta warriors in the background.

Interacting with students

It was the first trip to China for 1991 alumna Patti Devine. She became interested in the country after completing her Master of Business Administration at Fordham University, where the school created China study tours. She jumped at the chance to travel there with Bryant. (Read Devine's blog from her time in China.)

She says the best part of the trip was interacting with current Bryant students. “It was interesting to learn about their internships and studies they had done over the summer,” says Devine. “Their tips and perspectives on Chinese culture were invaluable.”

(Photo on the right) the view from the Great Wall. (Center photo) Patti Devine '91 with the Terra Cotta Warriors. (Photo on the right) Garden in Behai Park. (Photos from Patti Devine '91)

Devine says she looks forward to staying in touch with Bryant by attending similar events. “This is the first time I’ve had a chance to take part in a program like this,” she explains. “But I felt comfortable because every alumni member I met along the way had a similar perspective on life and work because of our shared experiences at Bryant.”

Faculty visits

Earlier in the summer, Professors Joe Ilacqua and Judy Barrett Litoff spent a month in China. One of their more memorable experiences was touring an exhibit created by Fan Jianchuan ’08H, the founder and president of the Jianchuan Museum Complex, of artifacts from the earthquake that ravaged Sichuan province in May.

The professors met with education officials and lectured at the China University of Geosciences at Wuhan, explored the countryside, interacted with locals, and took part in a faculty development seminar titled “Diversity and Social Change on the Southwest Frontier.”

Litoff says the summer trip, her third visit to China, was the spark for a new special topics course she created on U.S.-China relations from 1931 to 1950. “These trips give you the impetus to want to expand your teaching and research,” she says.

(L-R) History Professor Judy Barrett Litoff and Economic Professor Professors Joe Ilacqua.

Ilacqua says it was fascinating to experience the contrast between major Chinese cities complete with modern-day technology, and the villages in the rural countryside that use the same techniques as ancient civilizations.

“When you are there, you get to see how they use preindustrial techniques along with the most sophisticated technology and how it all seems to fit together,” he says.