Newell Wright joined the NDSU College of Business faculty July 1 as director of the new Center for Global Initiatives and Leadership, which will be housed in Richard H. Barry Hall. A professor of marketing, Wright comes to NDSU from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.
“Increasingly, people are working in a diverse environment, doing business with people who are different culturally, socially and economically,” Wright said, noting international education will be a major focus of the center. “You may never work abroad, but I’ll almost guarantee if you work in business, you’ll have customers in other countries and your supplies will come from centers around the world.”
Wright is fluent in French and has taken more than 750 students to countries throughout Europe to study. At James Madison University, he received the 2005 Provost Award for Excellence in Education for his study abroad efforts.
His plan for NDSU’s center is to bring international opportunities through study abroad programs, exchange activities and invited speakers who will discuss topics ranging from business practices in other lands to international diplomacy.
“We want to provide an opportunity for students to learn about business in other parts of the world, to learn more about the major trading partners that North Dakota has,” he explained. “We also want to bring international students to NDSU to give other points of view.”
From neighboring Canada and Mexico to Europe and Asia, Wright wants NDSU business students to examine and explore the many ways that companies operate. “The world is a big place, and the center will emphasize that we are in a global environment,” he said, adding he also plans to work closely with the North Dakota Trade Office.
“There is great potential to internationalize the NDSU community,” Wright said, suggesting programs may include international seminars, conferences and study abroad opportunities. “The major goal of the center is to benefit the state of North Dakota, and produce NDSU graduates who know about international trade and are familiar with global issues.”
Among Wright’s other honors are the 2002 Outstanding Educator award from the Academy of Educational Leadership and the 2000 Distinguished Teaching Award from the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation. He earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and his doctorate in marketing from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va.