Office of International Affairs Bids Farewell to Diplomat-in Residence Ambassador Ronald Godard

The Office of International Affairs and the UIC community saw the end of Ambassador Ronald Godard's term as Diplomat-in Residence this July. "My year at UIC has been one of the most rewarding assignments of my Foreign Service career," is how Ambassador Godard summarized his time at UIC.

Ambassador Godard was at UIC as part of the State Department's Diplomat-in-Residence program. The State Department program is designed to attract a new generation of talented students and professionals to careers in the Foreign Service. UIC was one of only 16 universities in the nation selected to host a diplomat this year; and as part of his activities in the program, Ambassador Godard not only served the UIC community, but also spoke at universities and organizations throughout the Midwest.

"When I asked the Director General for the assignment, I told her I saw it as an opportunity to give something back to the Foreign Service -- I had no idea how much I would get out of the experience," said Godard. "I particularly enjoyed working with the wonderful folks in the Office of International Affairs as they taught me the ropes of academia. Above all, however, I have loved getting to know the students at UIC -- their impressive range of talents, irrepressible enthusiasm, and unfailing energy, reconfirmed my confidence in our country's future leadership."

Looking back on the year that Ambassador Godard spent as part of the Office of International Affairs and at UIC; Professor Allan Lerner, Deputy Associate Chancellor and Director of International Affairs at UIC said "Ronald Godard has been an outstanding colleague during his year at UIC. It was a pleasure to co-teach a course with him and to participate in a number of international programs at UIC with him."

Reflecting on the importance of Ambassador Godard's presence at UIC, Lerner went on to say, "We were very fortunate to have his advice and assistance, as we developed new initiatives for the coming academic year and thereafter. The benefits of his presence with us this past year will be felt far into the future."

Diplomat-in-Residence Ambassador Ronald Godard (left) and Prof Allan Lerner, Director of the Office of International Affairs