UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will receive one of just six institutional grants to be awarded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP).

The U.S. Department of Defense will provide $421,873 over four years to the Russian and Ukrainian Programs for Future Agricultural Leaders, which will support development of Russian and Ukrainian language and culture courses designed for agricultural students in preparation for study and work opportunities in those countries.

Of the six grants, Penn State's is one of just two that are for the four-year NSEP maximum award. Tom Bruening, associate professor and coordinator of the college's programs in Russia and Ukraine, believes that's because of the novel use of technology and involvement by other universities.

"Penn State actually is playing the leadership role in a consortium of universities," he says. "In the Russian Studies program, Montana State, the universities of Nebraska, Maryland and Florida, and Texas A&M are involved. In the Ukrainian Studies program, Iowa State, Ohio State, the University of Minnesota and Alabama A&M are partner universities."

Language and cultural courses taught by Penn State professors will be offered over the Internet starting this summer through collaborative efforts between the College of Agricultural Sciences and the department of Germanic and Slavic languages in the College of Liberal Arts. The cultures courses will have major agricultural components.

"We are confident that this year's awardees represent cutting-edge international education initiatives that will have a significant impact on the personal and professional development of the participants," the NSEP news release announcing the awards states.

"(They) will also help the U.S. higher education institutions insure our national security interests through increased understanding of regions, languages and cultures that are distinct from our own."

The grant, according to Deanna Behring, director of the college's international programs, will give agriculture students the opportunity to better understand foreign languages and cultures. "Our future leaders will be better prepared to deal with global pressures related to agriculture, such as food security for a growing population, pressures on natural resources, rural incomes, poverty and international trade," she says. "These factors can lead to civil conflict and present unique and growing national security concerns for the 21st century."

Behring believes that by giving students language skills, cultural understanding and experiences in the former Soviet states, the program will yield a cadre of future leaders who can help develop growing markets for U.S. agricultural products.

"Students participating in this program will be those who will likely deflect trade and other disputes related to agriculture and food security," she says, "as well as help develop farm incomes and improve health status in rural areas, contributing to stable Russian and Ukrainian societies."

Other institutions receiving NSEP grants were the University of California at Berkeley, Indiana University, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Monterey Institute of International Studies and the University of Pittsburgh.

The NSEP was created in 1991 by the National Security Education Act. The goals of the program are to educate U.S. citizens to understand foreign languages and cultures, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and enhance international cooperation and security.

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EDITORS: Contact Deanna Behring at 814-863-0249 or dbehring@psu.edu.

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax #185