Bringing the world into U.S. classrooms: Visionaries honored with the 20th Annual McGraw Prize in Education

Lois B. DeFleur, President, Binghamton University, State University of New York; Reynauld Smith, Social Studies and Advanced Placement American History Teacher, Eastern Senior High School, Washington, D.C.; and Vivien Stewart, Vice President for Education, Asia Society

New York, NY, September 25, 2007—The 2007 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education honors three innovators – Lois B. DeFleur, Reynauld Smith and Vivien Stewart – who are educating U.S. students for a global age. Announced today by Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The McGraw-Hill Companies, the honorees will be recognized this evening at a dinner at the New York Public Library.

“The world has changed dramatically since the creation 20 years ago of the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education,” said Mr. McGraw. “Today’s students must acquire broader knowledge and deeper understanding of our interdependent world. The three educators we honor this year understand that a well-rounded education is the new currency of today’s global economy and have demonstrated a true commitment to helping young people develop the skill sets needed to succeed.”

The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education annually recognizes outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to enhancing learning in this country and whose accomplishments are making a difference today. Honorees are chosen by a distinguished panel of judges from the education community. Each winner receives a gift of $25,000 and a bronze sculpture. The Prize was established in 1988 to honor Mr. McGraw’s lifelong commitment to education, and to mark the Corporation’s 100th anniversary.

“The success of our students and the competitiveness of our nation are dependent upon new and creative thinking by educators,” said Mr. McGraw. “The 2007 McGraw Prize honorees, like those who’ve gone before them, are focused on the challenges the next generation will be facing, and how to best help them learn and achieve.”

2007 McGraw Prize Winners:

Lois B. DeFleur—Lois B. DeFleur, fifth president of the Binghamton University, State University of New York, has overseen the implementation of an innovative general education program for all undergraduates, which has been recognized nationwide for its many opportunities for studying other cultures either on campus or in other countries. Binghamton University also offers ground-breaking programs that encourage language education across the curriculum and dual-diploma programs with universities in several countries.

Reynauld Smith— Reynauld Smith, a social studies and Advanced Placement (AP) American History teacher at Washington, D.C.’s Eastern High School, took over the school’s fledgling Model United Nations program in 1999, and introduced the program as part of his AP American History class. Smith has worked with 500 students in his Model United Nations program and has taken dozens of students to Ecuador, Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. He previously taught in Montgomery County, MD, where he helped start a diversity club for U.S. and international students.

Vivien Stewart— Vivien Stewart, vice president for education at Asia Society, has used her global focus to develop a network of state and national education leaders to expand international programs across the country, and created a national initiative to encourage the teaching of Chinese. She also manages a prize program to recognize excellence in international education. Stewart ensures that teachers and students have the training and resources they need through a model network of internationally oriented schools in inner-cities around the U.S and an award-winning Asia Society Web site. In addition, Stewart oversees a series of international exchanges to share expertise between American and Asian education leaders on how to improve education to meet the demands of globalization.

Former Winners:

In 2006, the honorees were: Norman Augustine, Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation; Wendy Kopp, then President, now Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Teach for America; and Vincent Murray, Principal, Henry W. Grady High School, Atlanta, Georgia. Past honorees include: Barbara Bush, Founder, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy; James B. Hunt, Jr., Former Governor of North Carolina; Former U.S. Secretaries of Education Richard Riley and Rod Paige; Carl Cohn, Former Superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District (now Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District, California); Yvonne Chan, Ed.D., Principal, Vaughn Next Century Learning Center; Mary E. Diez, Ph.D., Dean of Education, Alverno College; and Dennis Littky, Co-Director of The Met and Director of the Principal Residency Network.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2006 were $6.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

By John Hill
Press & Sun-Bulletin, September 25, 2007

NEW YORK CITY — Lois B. DeFleur, president of Binghamton University, is one of three educators nationwide being honored today for their efforts to educate U.S. students in a global age.

DeFleur will receive the 2007 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education this evening at the New York Public Library in New York City.

“Today’s students must acquire a broader knowledge and deeper understanding of our interdependent world,” said Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and CEO of the McGraw-Hill Companies, which gives out the award yearly. “The three educators we honor this year understand that a well-rounded education is the new currency of today’s global economy and have demonstrated a true commitment to helping young people develop the skill sets needed to succeed.”

As part of the award, DeFleur will receive $25,000.

She plans to use the money to establish the DeFleur International Innovation Fund, which will support innovative international projects by various units at BU, she said.

“I’m really deeply honored to accept the award, not only for myself but also for the university,” DeFleur said.

Picture Yourself Global!

Use Binghamton University’s Global Roadmap
and Chart Your Own Course

• Internationalize your degree by taking courses in Area Studies, adding a Global Studies Minor, enrolling in a language course, or participating in globally and internationally focused courses.

• Sign up for an LxC study group

• Apply to become a Language Resource Specialist with LxC

• Enroll in a language class

• Study Abroad!

• Become a Study Abroad Resource Alum when you return to Binghamton from abroad

• Attend the Study Abroad Fair

• Volunteer at the Study Abroad Fair

• Hang out with international students and friends at the monthly International Coffee Hour

• Take your friends to the International Student Festival

• Partner with an ESL student in the English Conversation Pairs

• Visit a meeting of a BU student cultural group

• Go to an Anderson Center

• Check out and attend some of the cultural events in the Binghamton area: (ex: SMAC, Islamic Organization of the Southern Tier, Southern Tier Indian Cultural Association, etc.)

• Check out globally-oriented career options at the Career Development Center

• Pursue a Certificate in Translation