Eric Hanson ’70 wants to see more St. Lawrence students studying in other countries. From his perspective, globalization is here to stay, and in order to be successful, students need knowledge of and experience in other cultures. With his gift of $1.75 million, Eric has taken a step toward providing that experience to more St. Lawrence students.

Hanson’s gift establishes the Eric H. Hanson ’70 Endowment for International Study to support international programs in Asia, with a particular focus on China, where SLU has a study program in Shanghai. It will assist with funding a director of University programs whose primary responsibility will be to work with faculty, staff and students to develop interest in study in Asia, especially China. He or she will also develop internship opportunities in China. In recognition of the gift, the occupant of this position will be named the Hanson Professor and Associate Dean of the Center for International and Intercultural Studies.

Hanson, who majored in history and government, wrote for the student newspaper and was a fraternity member as a student, is president of Hanson & Doremus Investment Management in Burlington, VT.  “Globalization has really taken hold, and in my mind there is no turning back,” he asserts. “Top students graduating from U.S. colleges with a solid foundation in liberal arts and a real appreciation for globalization and foreign cultures and foreign languages should do incredibly well.  This is my motivation for making the gift to St. Lawrence.

“I would like to see St. Lawrence require every student to do a semester abroad somewhere,” Hanson concludes.  “I realize this is not financially possibly today. But if I can encourage more students to go abroad, especially to Asia, which right now seems to be at the center of emerging market growth, this initiative will be a success.”