Connecticut College Professor Becomes Second American to Earn an Honorary Degree From Vietnam National University - AOL News

NEW LONDON, Conn., March 6 (AScribe Newswire) -- William Frasure, Connecticut College professor of government, this week became the second American ever to earn an honorary doctoral degree from Vietnam National University (VNU).Frasure was presented with the Honorary Doctoral Degree of Vietnam, "in honor of his excellent achievements in scientific activities and his valuable contributions to the development of cooperation and friendship with Vietnam National University," Vu Ngoc Tu, director of international relations at Vietnam National University, said."This is a great honor that highlights Connecticut College's unique relationship with VNU," Frasure said. "When I began my career at Connecticut College, in 1974, this awardon program between the two institutions, funded by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In all, 150 Connecticut College students have studied in Vietnam, 19 VNU faculty members and officials have visited Connecticut College and 14 Connecticut College faculty members have visited VNU as part of various programs.This unique relationship has also enabled several Connecticut College professors, including Frasure, to conduct extensive research in Vietnam and in collaboration with colleagues at VNU. Currently, Connecticut College economics professors Rolf Jensen and Donald Peppard are writing a book about Vietnamese migrant street vendors based on research they conducted with Vu Thi Minh Thang, a professor of social sciences and humanities at VNU.Frasure, whose research focuses on the politics of wartime -specifically United States politics regarding Vietnam and the cold war - has been a professor at Connecticut College since 1974. During his tenure, he has served as the dean of international studies and as the associate dean of the faculty.Frasure accepted his honorary degree during a ceremony held Tuesday in Hanoi. The ceremony was attended by Jensen and Frances Hoffmann, Connecticut College professor of sociology, as well as a group of Connecticut College students, all of whom are spending the semester in Hanoi as part of the College's "Study Away, Teach Away" program in Vietnam.Among the most selective private liberal arts colleges in the nation, Connecticut College enrolls 1,900 men and women from 41 states, the District of Columbia and 42 countries. The college is known for putting the liberal arts into action through interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. Founded in 1911, the college operates under an 86-year-old honor code. The college is located at 270 Mohegan Ave, New London, about two hours by car from Boston and New York. The 750-acre campus is an arboretum overlooking Long Island Sound. For more information, visit http://www.connecticutcollege.edu .