2006.08.24: August 24, 2006: Headlines: COS - India: The Cavalier Daily: India RPCV Leonard Robinson devoted his life to the underserved
Peace Corps Online:
Directory:
India:
Peace Corps India:
The Peace Corps in India:
2006.08.24: August 24, 2006: Headlines: COS - India: The Cavalier Daily: India RPCV Leonard Robinson devoted his life to the underserved
India RPCV Leonard Robinson devoted his life to the underserved
"Leonard was a visionary, even as a very young man," said Leigh Grossman, vice provost for international affairs. "He worked tirelessly to better the conditions of the underserved. That's what took him to India in 1964. That's what took him to Africa in the 70s. And he has worked in an uncompromising fashion to better the African continent his entire career."
India RPCV Leonard Robinson devoted his life to the underserved
Aiding Africa
Colleagues share memories of Leonard Robinson, the University's first diplomat scholar in residence who devoted his life to the underserved
Vinu Ilakkuvan, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
"Be the change you want to see in the world." Leonard H. Robinson, the University's first diplomat scholar in residence, lived according to Mohandas Gandhi's creed, devoting his life to educating others about Africa. He passed away July 25, following a short illness, leaving many colleagues and friends to both mourn his death and celebrate his life.
"Leonard was a visionary, even as a very young man," said Leigh Grossman, vice provost for international affairs. "He worked tirelessly to better the conditions of the underserved. That's what took him to India in 1964. That's what took him to Africa in the 70s. And he has worked in an uncompromising fashion to better the African continent his entire career."
Grossman, who grew up in India, met Robinson there about 40 years ago. At the time Robinson was a Peace Corps volunteer and had finished his undergraduate studies at Ohio State University.
"You knew he was going to be a Peace Corps volunteer that grew into a formidable world leader," Grossman said. "And he did. You knew it even then."
Robinson devoted his life to international relations, specifically the promotion of Africa and bringing Africa into the global community. He has held many positions including deputy assistant secretary of state, president of the U.S. African Development Foundation and president and CEO of the Africa Society, a leading advocacy group.
"He dedicated everything he had to The Africa Society," said Bernadette Paolo, vice president of the group. "He was the founder, so it was basically his creation. He wanted it to be the premier entity of African education in the United States of America. Doing that required a Herculean undertaking -- an exhaustive effort, and he committed his life to that effort."
Dierdre Davie, administrative assistant to the vice provost for international affairs, said Robinson was instrumental in getting some University students interested in the big picture of Africa.
"Africa is not on the horizon so much, as far as the American public," Davie said. "There's more focus on the Middle East. But [Robinson] really connected with Africa, and it was his mission to really bring that enthusiasm to students here at U.Va."
Grossman highlighted Robinson's connection not only with Africa but other places and people as well.
"He definitely championed Africa," Grossman said. "On top of that, he championed any of the underserved -- women who weren't treated properly, blacks who weren't treated properly, Hispanics who weren't treated properly. He had no bounds of energy and enthusiasm for standing behind those who couldn't represent themselves."
In addition to Robinson's charismatic and charming nature, Paolo said he admired Robinson's ability to relate with a diverse range of people.
"He had a lot of different aspects to his personality," Paolo said. "He was a diplomat, yet he could engage with people from all walks of life, all ages. And that was a very special characteristic."
Davie also felt that this was one of Robinson's most unique and admirable characteristics.
"He had done so much, but he was still so approachable and still interested in working with students just starting out in their careers," Davie said. "And he had an unbelievable amount of energy. He was a blur. He would come flying through [the Provost office] on the way to a meeting or on the way to class. He had tremendous enthusiasm and energy. It was really wonderful to see that."
Robinson's optimism also caught Grossman's eye.
"This was a man who always pointed toward the possible," Grossman said. "And so, as many people become beaten down in their goals because they're not reaching them, he always kept moving toward the possible and the probable, which made him an exceedingly attractive leader."
Robinson's admirable characteristics and devotion to his work led him to make a tremendous impact in the realm of international affairs -- and also in the realm of the University.
"He cared about education a great deal, as evidenced by his tenure at the University of Virginia," Paolo said. "He cared about young people in our country having an interest in what was going on in the rest of the world. [He saw this as] important, not only in their development, but in the future of our country and in the world at large."
With this objective in mind, Robinson made a remarkable impact upon the University community.
"We were fortunate -- I mean, extremely fortunate -- to have had Leonard here at U.Va., even for the very short period of time he was here," Grossman said. "He was, besides being brilliant and superbly schooled in his area of expertise, a superb academic teacher and a consummate role model of vision and energy which he shared with everybody that came across his path."
Grossman also emphasized the importance of Robinson's practical experience of decades of working on Africa in bringing real meaning to what he taught here at the University. Davie agreed.
"I think his students appreciated that he was a guy who was still in touch with events as they were unfolding, but he came down to U.Va. and was teaching them about Africa," said Davie. "He really connected well with his students. He was really interested in and cared deeply about them, which is something I admired deeply."
Robinson taught a University Seminar about politics in southern Africa and had just signed on as a full time faculty member. In addition, he mentored many students.
"He spent a lot of time talking to them," Davie said. "How they should go about [things], what their options were. That was really important to him."
Grossman added that he was a unique mentor of students and colleagues alike in terms of assisting them in their goals to globalize the University.
"We all really liked him here in the Provost office," Davie said. "He'll be really sorely missed -- his enthusiasm and his great sense of humor. He would come into the office, and had a big hello for everyone every time he came. He used to bring boxes and boxes of chocolate, which was really sweet."
A memorial service in Robinson's honor was held at Washington National Cathedral Aug. 15. Some of the speakers who gave tributes to Robinson included ambassador Andrew Young; Rev. Jesse Jackson; U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne; a minister of Ghana, Obetsebi-Lamptey; the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Jendayi Frazer; and the president of Discovery Communications, Judith Michael.
"The tributes and the music and the people and the ambiance -- it was so Leonard in that it was perfect, elegant, dignified; those reflect Leonard's characteristics," Paolo said. "And then the diversity of the audience was also a testament to his belief that all Americans should be included in working for Africa, all ages, all cultures, it was a testament to his life."
Robinson's life was full of monumental achievements, among which was his tenure at the University. Robinson's father and mother were both professors, and Paolo said that, being in that milieu, Robinson's time at the University allowed a professional longing to be realized.
"He had many accomplishments, and they are well documented," said Paolo. "But I cannot tell you how much pride it gave him to be the first diplomat in residence for Africa at the University of Virginia."
When this story was posted in September 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
 | Chris Shays Shifts to Favor an Iraq Timetable
In a policy shift, RPCV Congressman Chris Shays, long a staunch advocate of the Bush administration's position in Iraq, is now proposing a timetable for a withdrawal of American troops. How Mr. Shays came to this change of heart is, he says, a matter of a newfound substantive belief that Iraqis need to be prodded into taking greater control of their own destiny under the country’s newly formed government. As Chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security, he plans to draft a timetable for a phased withdrawal and then push for its adoption. A conscientious objector during the Vietnam War who said that if drafted he would not serve, Chris Shays has made 14 trips to Iraq and was the first Congressman to enter the country after the war - against the wishes of the Department of Defense. |
 | Peace Corps' Screening and Medical Clearance
The purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process. |
 | Gates charity races to spend billions
Warren E. Buffett’s gift of $31 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation means that for tax reasons, starting in 2009, the foundation must distribute $3 billion annually, or a little more than twice what it distributed last year.
PCOL Comment: The Foundation says that "preventing the spread of HIV is the most durable long-term solution to the AIDS epidemic, and a top priority for the foundation." Peace Corps Volunteers and Returned Volunteers have been doing just that in AIDS Education for the past 15 years. Why not consider a $100M annual contribution to the Peace Corps to put 2,500 additional volunteers in the field to expand AIDS education worldwide? |
 | The Peace Corps is "fashionable" again
The LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace. |
 | Changing the Face of Hunger
In his new book, Former Congressman Tony Hall (RPCV Thailand) says humanitarian aid is the most potent weapon the United States can deploy against terrorism. An evangelical Christian, he is a big believer in faith-based organizations in the fight against hunger. Members of Congress have recently recommended that Hall be appointed special envoy to Sudan to focus on ending the genocide in Darfur. |
 | PC will not return to East Timor in 2006
Volunteers serving in East Timor have safely left the country as a result of the recent civil unrest and government instability. Latest: The Peace Corps has informed us that at this time, the Peace Corps has no plans to re-enter the country in 2006. The Peace Corps recently sent a letter offering eligible volunteers the opportunity to reinstate their service in another country. |
 | Chris Dodd considers run for the White House
Senator Chris Dodd plans to spend the next six to eight months raising money and reaching out to Democrats around the country to gauge his viability as a candidate. Just how far Dodd can go depends largely on his ability to reach Democrats looking for an alternative to Hillary Clinton. PCOL Comment: Dodd served as a Volunteer in the Dominican Republic and has been one of the strongest supporters of the Peace Corps in Congress. |
 | Peace Corps stonewalls on FOIA request
The Ashland Daily Tidings reports that Peace Corps has blocked their request for information on the Volkart case. "After the Tidings requested information pertaining to why Volkart was denied the position — on March 2 — the newspaper received a letter from the Peace Corps FOIA officer stating the requested information was protected under an exemption of the act." The Dayton Daily News had similar problems with FOIA requests for their award winning series on Volunteer Safety and Security. |
 | PCOL readership increases 100%
Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come. |
 | History of the Peace Corps
PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help. |
 | RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace Corps
Timothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case. |
 | Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in danger
When the National Call to Service legislation was amended to include Peace Corps in December of 2002, this country had not yet invaded Iraq and was not in prolonged military engagement in the Middle East, as it is now. Read the story of how one volunteer spent three years in captivity from 1976 to 1980 as the hostage of a insurrection group in Colombia in Joanne Marie Roll's op-ed on why this legislation may put soldier/PCVs in the same kind of danger. Latest: Read the ongoing dialog on the subject. |
Read the stories and leave your comments.
Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.
Story Source: The Cavalier Daily
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - India
PCOL34177
05
