College of Education News

Dr. Mary Kalantzis

Dean
College of Education

After a month of travels through Australia, Mauritius, India and England, Mary Kalantzis' journey culminated in Washington, D.C. Despite her changing coordinates on the globe, Kalantzis said one topic remained the same: "The inauguration was all people would talk about. It was as if it were their inauguration, too."

Why did you attend the inauguration?

Those of us who belong to the rest of the world, we, too, wanted America to live up to its values. Australia has always been an ally of America; if America does something, we do it, too. We are not disconnected.

How will your attending this event affect your role at the college of education?

To have a president now who says healthcare, infrastructure and education are three domestic priorities is such a relief...Obama's sense and sensibilities are inspiring and aligned to my own. In my own College, what I have tried to encourage is a collaborative culture, consensus decision-making, cooperation between departments and to reach out to other colleges because we can't save ourselves if we don't save the whole.

What was the highlight of the event?

When we were walking to the mall we came across some people in trees. They were holding posters about their hopes for the president. As I walked through the trees I was overwhelmed by the words of the song, "Strange Fruit," by Billie Holiday, which is about the absolute opposite of those hopeful people in the trees. I mean, many carried some fear on that day, but look how much the ground has shifted in this country.

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