[491] MTSU Professor First American To Lecture At Langzhou

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2011
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

MTSU PROFESSOR FIRST AMERICAN TO LECTURE AT LANGZHOU
Chinese University Welcomes Global Studies Director with Cordiality, Curiosity

(MURFREESBORO) - A casual discussion with a graduate student turned into a precedent-setting trip for Dr. Doug Heffington, director of Global Studies, toward the end of the spring 2011 semester. He became the first American ever to deliver an academic presentation at Langzhou City University in China during a trip that lasted from April 20-30.
Located in a city of 2.8 million people where the Yellow River flows through Gansu Province, Langzhou City University’s curriculum focuses on urban aspects of economics, construction, culture and service, as well as teacher training and computer technology. Heffington said the smallest class has between 175 and 200 students.
“The night lecture had people as far as I could see—probably the largest group I’ve ever spoken to,” Heffington recalls.
Everyone had some knowledge of English, so Heffington fielded a lot of questions. He says the topics ranged from the Tennessee Titans to acid rain in the Smoky Mountains, in addition to the subject matter Heffington was there to discuss. Because of their exposure to American television programs, some wanted to know if life in Tennessee was like “Desperate Housewives.”
“The last day was probably the most difficult day because their English level was lower,” Heffington says. “I felt as though there was some discomfort there because sometimes I talk too fast. I tried to slow it down.”
Heffington lectured for five days on the physical geography of Tennessee; how the geography relates to businesses such as agriculture, mining, forestry, aquaculture and travel; the cultural geography of Tennessee, including demographics; the ethnicity, popular culture and folk culture of Tennessee; and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s impact on development in the state.
“They seemed genuinely interested in us,” Heffington says. “In an odd way, it reinvigorates you about teaching. Sometimes you forget why you get into this business.”
Geographically, Heffington says, Langzhou’s proximity to the Gobi Desert sometimes reminded him of New Mexico, where he frequently takes students on educational excursions. He has photos taken from his hotel window of a city virtually engulfed in a sandstorm. But the memories Heffington brought home with him are not the least bit obscured.
“I think there are certain things that bond people together,” he says. “There are certain similarities in higher education no matter where you are.”

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: For a color jpeg of Dr. Doug Heffington and his Chinese interpreter in Langzhou City, China, contact Gina Logue in the MTSU Office of News and Media Relations at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu.