Leahy visits SIT during 60th anniversary celebration (2024)

BRATTLEBORO — Former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy visited School for International Training's campus on Friday to celebrate the institution's 60th anniversary.

Leahy and his wife Marcelle came to the on-campus event highlighting Vermont's unique role on the global stage by discussing strategies for growing and expanding Vermont's global future through global education, rural development, and new technologies. The event also celebrated Leahy's longstanding legacy of 48 years representing Vermont.

"We're here to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the School for International Training," said SIT's Board Chairman Allen Cutler.

"I'm probably the least important person that you're going to hear from all day," Cutler continued, "but I am excited about what's in store with so many new initiatives and programs that we're running; SIT is the only accredited academic institution of higher learning that's part of a global NGO."

Since its founding in the early 1960s as a school to help train outgoing Peace Corps volunteers, SIT has built its portfolio of numerous study abroad programs around the world for students. SIT, as a graduate institution, also offers both master's and Ph.D.'s to its students.

"Our graduates are in all different fields," said Cutler.

On Saturday, Leahy presided as keynote speaker atSIT's 58th commencement ceremony.Thirty students are slated to participate, either in person or online, to mark the completion of their graduate-level programs in nine-degree areas, with eight students earning a doctorate in global education.

Leahy also received an honorary degree, the Doctor of Humane Letters, during the ceremony. In 2012, he received the World Learning Distinguished Global Citizen Achievement award, recognizing his work to promote peace in the world.

"While in office, Leahy helped secure critical federal funding to help strengthen the New Vermonter Education Program that SIT and World Learning launched with local partners," said Cutler, introducing Leahy for the Q&A.

Leahy, born in Vermont in 1940, said he is proud to have been born in the U.S., and that it is important to understand that the U.S. cannot operate alone.

"I'm proud to be born here, but if the United States thinks they can only do things alone, then they make a terrible mistake," said Leahy.

"It was very frustrating during my time as a U.S. senator, to hear people say 'let's close the borders.' None of us would be here if our community or our earlier generations had borders. It's a good idea to bring in people from around the world to educate us," he said.

Leahy also stressed that he thought the U.S. has much to learn from other countries, as well as an obligation to help other countries.

"Don't you think we have a moral obligation to reach out? Don't talk about building up our borders; talk about opening them. Don't talk about 'we're the best.' Instead, talk to people to teach us to be better."

Prior to Leahy's Q&A session, he met privately with refugees living onSIT's campus as part of theNew Vermonter Education Program.