2008 Woodie Awards
Annan promotes global citizenship
Addressing a packed Fieldhouse, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan '61, Macalester's most famous alumn, spoke on global issues
By: Amy Lieberman, Matthew Stone
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: News
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For the leaders of Macalester's new Institute for Global Citizenship, last Saturday was a unique opportunity to promote the college's emerging initiative. For students and others in attendance, it was an opportunity to see Macalester's famed alumnus, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan '61, in person.
Annan visited Macalester as the second inaugural speaker for the Institute, an initiative that administrators say will integrate a more sustained focus on global citizenship throughout the college. New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman visited the college last month. A third speaker, author Toni Morrison, will deliver the convocation address on campus in the fall as the Institute prepares to formally open its doors.
Following a ceremony at which Annan raised a new United Nations flag in front of Weyerhaeuser Chapel, students packed over half of the 1,900 seats set up in the Fieldhouse. Faculty, staff, alumni and guests who requested some of the 900 tickets filled the other seats.
U.N. security denied admittance to many students and ticket holders—a line that stretched from the Fieldhouse to the Campus Center—after Annan had arrived.
“The security said no more people. We feel really bad about that, but it was out of our control,” said College Relations Director Doug Stone. “You cannot get to an event like that too early when you're dealing with security for a big leader.”
Preparations for the affair were extensive and the schedule timed to the minute.
Before Annan took the stage at 10 a.m., students bearing a collection of national flags marched to the stage area; professors, donning academic robes, also proceeded to their seats.
Annan, accompanied by President Brian Rosenberg, Provost Diane Michelfelder, Chaplain Lucy Forster-Smith and a team of security guards entered the gymnasium to sustained applause and a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.
Annan visited Macalester as the second inaugural speaker for the Institute, an initiative that administrators say will integrate a more sustained focus on global citizenship throughout the college. New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman visited the college last month. A third speaker, author Toni Morrison, will deliver the convocation address on campus in the fall as the Institute prepares to formally open its doors.
Following a ceremony at which Annan raised a new United Nations flag in front of Weyerhaeuser Chapel, students packed over half of the 1,900 seats set up in the Fieldhouse. Faculty, staff, alumni and guests who requested some of the 900 tickets filled the other seats.
U.N. security denied admittance to many students and ticket holders—a line that stretched from the Fieldhouse to the Campus Center—after Annan had arrived.
“The security said no more people. We feel really bad about that, but it was out of our control,” said College Relations Director Doug Stone. “You cannot get to an event like that too early when you're dealing with security for a big leader.”
Preparations for the affair were extensive and the schedule timed to the minute.
Before Annan took the stage at 10 a.m., students bearing a collection of national flags marched to the stage area; professors, donning academic robes, also proceeded to their seats.
Annan, accompanied by President Brian Rosenberg, Provost Diane Michelfelder, Chaplain Lucy Forster-Smith and a team of security guards entered the gymnasium to sustained applause and a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.
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