{"id":316,"date":"2024-10-29T10:59:23","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T14:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/office-global-engagement\/?page_id=316"},"modified":"2026-02-25T12:51:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T17:51:57","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/office-global-engagement\/about\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History of Global"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":0,"parent":296,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/one-column.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-316","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"lead_in":"","display_title":"History of Global at URochester","subtitle":"","call_to_action":"","hero_image_placement":"no_image","hero_media":"images","hero_pattern_option":"","hero_video":"","hero_image_landing":"","hero_image_landing_two":"","hero_image_landing_three":"","content_modules_above":[{"acf_fc_layout":"card_grid","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"","description":"The University of Rochester has a rich history of global connections, spanning as early as its founding. On this page, you can explore a timeline<\/a> of our journey to internationalization.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>","background_color":"#FFFFFF","width":"width-medium","columns":"1","cards":[{"card_title":"

Read our full Global Booklet [icon name=\"file-pdf\" prefix=\"fas\"]<\/p>","card_text":"Our Global Engagement Booklet includes a more comprehensive history timeline, as well as facts, figures, and a general overview of our global principles and mission.\r\n

Download the booklet<\/p>","card_background_color":"#f4f4f4","card_hover_color":"#283faf","card_link":{"title":"","url":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/office-global-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Global-Engagement-Highlights-Final_Reduced-size.pdf","target":""},"card_hover_arrow":"","card_image":"","card_image_size":"","card_image_placement":"","card_image_hover_state":"hover_fade","card_image_link":""}]}],"sidebar":"show__sidebar","sidebar_feed":"menu_select","menu":"96","page_links":null,"sub_menu":"","content_modules":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"timeline","css_class":"title-line t-navy t-below centered","title":"

Our Global story<\/h2>","content":"

1850-1960: Establishing foundations<\/h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3516\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"350\"]\"Eleanor Joseph C. Wilson and his wife, Marie (Peggy) Wilson (center), served as the hosts for Eleanor Roosevelt when she visited URochester for a University conference and other presentations in 1950.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAs early as its founding in 1850, the University of Rochester<\/a> began laying the groundwork for becoming a globally engaged institution. Under the leadership of Martin Brewer Anderson, the University\u2019s first president, the early academic programs were established with a focus on liberal education.\r\n\r\nThe early 20th century brought further growth and international exposure. David Jayne Hill, the University\u2019s second president, who later became the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, significantly influenced the University's international relations. Theodore Roosevelt, a close friend of Hill, visited the University in 1900 to deliver an address during its 50th-anniversary celebration.\r\n\r\nThe Eastman School of Music<\/a>, founded in 1921, quickly became an international beacon, attracting faculty and students from around the world. The school\u2019s influence extended globally, with its performing groups touring Europe, the USSR, and the Middle East in 1961-62.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3566\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"300\"]\"John Speaking in 1959 to a standing-room-only audience in Strong Auditorium, then Senator John F. Kennedy was one of several presidents and presidential candidates to visit campus.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIn 1950, the University of Rochester hosted a landmark Human Rights Conference as part of its centennial celebrations. This event featured keynote speakers such as Eleanor Roosevelt, the first U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Ralph Bunche, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and diplomat. The conference was a significant moment in the University\u2019s commitment to global engagement.\r\n

1967-2003: Growing international presence<\/h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3536\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"330\"]\"A In 1967: 42 students in France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Switzerland and the UK[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe post-war era and the civil rights movement in the U.S. opened new doors for international students, and the University of Rochester embraced this change. The 1960s marked the formal inauguration of the Foreign Students Office in 1967, which was later renamed the International Services Office (ISO)<\/a>. This office plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive support for international students and scholars, ensuring their integration into campus life.\r\n\r\nBy 2003, the University of Rochester was home to 1,326 international students from 86 countries, making up 15.88% of the student body. This diverse community was a testament to the University\u2019s growing global reach. View the latest international student body statistics<\/a>.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the expansion of study abroad programs<\/a> provided transformative educational experiences, with more students engaging in international exchanges. Now, the Center for Education Abroad<\/a> supports the more than 25% of URochester students who engage in global experiences.\r\n

2014-2024: Formalization and expansion<\/h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3546\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"225\"]\"Two Former Vice Provost Jane Gatewood meeting with members of the diplomatic community.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe University of Rochester\u2019s commitment to global engagement was solidified with the establishment of our office, the Office for Global Engagement (GLOBAL)<\/a>, in 2014. This office provides strategic leadership and coordination for the University\u2019s international initiatives, further enhancing its global presence and influence. The office also plays a crucial role in expanding support services for international students, faculty, scholars, and staff, ensuring they had the resources needed to thrive at the University.\r\n\r\nDuring this period, the office expanded its initiatives, focusing on significantly enhancing services for international students, faculty, scholars, and staff, broadening education abroad services for students and faculty, and establishing new international partnerships.\r\n\r\nBy 2018, the international student population had grown to over 3,200, representing nearly 30% of the total student body and over 130 different countries. The University\u2019s global partnerships also flourished, with collaboration occurring with over 100 international institutions, facilitating student exchanges, joint research projects, and other global initiatives. Discover the latest facts and figures from our office<\/a>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3556\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"350\"]\"A Over 1,000 international delegations from higher education, government, and civil society have engaged with the University during this period, meeting with our experts to gain insights and learn about our leading research and programs.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThis period also marked the launch of the University\u2019s first Global Awards<\/a> in 2024 and the formalization of plans for Global Celebration Week<\/a> in 2025, alongside an expanded International Education Week<\/a>. These landmark initiatives have significantly advanced the University\u2019s internationalization efforts, strengthening engagement with both internal and external partners and reinforcing our commitment to expanding our global footprint and enhancing collaboration across borders.\r\n

Looking ahead<\/h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3576\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"350\"]\"A The University is home to more than 4,000 international students and scholars from over 130 countries\u2014and we look forward to a future with more boundless possibilities for our global audiences.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOur office\u2019s strategic plan outlines the University\u2019s global engagement priorities<\/a> for the next several years. This plan focuses on four major areas:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. International Partnerships and Engagement<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Global Education and Mobility Pathways<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. International Campus Climate<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Global Profile and Reputation<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nThese priorities support and align with the broader goals of the University of Rochester\u2019s Boundless Possibility: 2030 Strategic Plan<\/a>, a visionary framework that guides the institution toward framing and solving the greatest challenges of the future.\r\n\r\nIn addition, we welcomed Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela as the Vice Provost for Global Engagement in Fall 2025. Learn more about our leadership<\/a>.","background_color":"#f4f4f4","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"card_grid","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"

    Keeping our global story going<\/h2>","description":"","background_color":"#FFFFFF","width":"width-large","columns":"3","cards":[{"card_title":"

    Download our Global Booklet<\/p>","card_text":"Read the full story of global at URochester, and explore how our commitment plays out in supporting our diverse community.","card_background_color":"#f4f4f4","card_hover_color":"#283faf","card_link":{"title":"","url":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/office-global-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Global-Engagement-at-the-University-of-Rochester.pdf","target":""},"card_hover_arrow":"hover_arrow","card_image":"","card_image_size":"","card_image_placement":"","card_image_hover_state":"hover_fade","card_image_link":""},{"card_title":"

    Explore facts and figures<\/p>","card_text":"Check out compelling data points that demonstrate the work we do and the constituents we support.","card_background_color":"#f4f4f4","card_hover_color":"#283faf","card_link":{"title":"Facts and Figures","url":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/office-global-engagement\/about\/facts\/","target":""},"card_hover_arrow":"hover_arrow","card_image":"","card_image_size":"","card_image_placement":"","card_image_hover_state":"hover_fade","card_image_link":""},{"card_title":"

    Read news and updates<\/p>","card_text":"Review the latest updates, check out testimonials, and discover news that showcases our priorities and efforts.","card_background_color":"#f4f4f4","card_hover_color":"#283faf","card_link":{"title":"News","url":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/office-global-engagement\/news\/","target":""},"card_hover_arrow":"hover_arrow","card_image":"","card_image_size":"","card_image_placement":"","card_image_hover_state":"hover_fade","card_image_link":""}]}]},"yoast_head":"\nHistory of Global Engagement - University of Rochester<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The University of Rochester has a rich history of global connections. 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