Honorary Degree: Allan E. Goodman

Allan E. Goodman

The Institute of International Education (IIE) was established at the end of the First World War to contribute to the preservation of world peace by facilitating international educational exchanges. Over the last 92 years IIE has established itself as a world leader in the field of international education, responsible for the administration of over 200 programs that serve more than 20,000 individuals each year. It is best known for its administration of the Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, which makes it possible for American students, scholars and professionals to study and teach abroad and for foreign students and scholars to come to the United States.

The IIE Web site states that the organization is guided by six core values: integrity, global awareness, collaboration, professionalism, excellence, and service. As this prestigious institution approaches its 100th anniversary it is fortunate to be led by Allan E. Goodman, an individual who personifies all of these values. Since my time is limited I have selected three of these values which capture aspects of Dr. Goodman’s career and character.

The first is Global awareness; Dr. Goodman has travelled the world to encourage international educational cooperation and to help create new university partnerships. He has invested his time and energy, and his institution’s considerable resources, to assist scholars and students who find themselves in danger overseas. In recognition of his contributions to international education, Dr. Goodman has been awarded the title of “Chevalier” of the French Legion of Honour. I admit to being particularly jealous of this item in Dr. Goodman’s resume.

The second value that Dr. Goodman exemplifies is academic excellence. After obtaining his Ph.D. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Dr. Goodman joined the faculty of Georgetown University and rose to the rank of Executive Dean of Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service. He is the author of numerous books and articles on a wide range of topics relating to foreign affairs and international education. His research on the political situation in South Vietnam, published while our nation was still looking for ways to extricate itself from that conflict, provides policy advice for political reconciliation and community building that is still valuable 38 years later, as Washington looks for ways to extricate itself from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Dr. Goodman’s career also exemplifies the value of service—to his nation, to principles of social justice and diversity, and to international dialogue and reconciliation. He has served in leadership positions in the U.S. Intelligence community and contributed to important studies of the proper role of intelligence in a post-Cold War era. Most notably, he served as Executive Director of the 1996 Task Force on Intelligence Reform, which called, first and foremost, for a more equitable balance between military and civilian instruments of foreign policy. Fifteen years later, Secretary of Defense Gates and Secretary of State Clinton are still making this argument. Dr. Goodman is also the author of a major study published by the American Council on Education which looked at both the supply and demand sides of minority employment in public policy positions within the federal government and made recommendations for improvement. 

Finally, Dr. Goodman has spent much of his career helping representatives of other governments to develop their diplomatic training programs and encouraging diplomatic exchanges between nations. 

President Durden, for his commitment to the goal of “opening minds to the world,” his contributions to our understanding of challenging issues in world affairs, and his service to our nation and to the international community, it is my distinct honor to present to you Dr. Allan E. Goodman for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of International Education. 

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Allan E. Goodman, upon the recommendation of the Faculty to the Board of Trustees, and by its mandamus, I confer upon you the Degree of Doctor of International Education, honoris causa, with all the rights, privileges, and distinction thereunto appertaining, in token of which I present you with this diploma and cause you to be invested with the hood of Dickinson College appropriate to the degree.