Daniels Dean Brent Chrite traveled to Taiwan in March for a dinner event with DU alumni.
As the number of DU’s international alumni increases, so does the need to cultivate this community of global Pioneers.
Thanks to the leadership of DU Chancellor Rebecca Chopp and Daniels Dean Brent Chrite, the University has a sharpened focus on strengthening its international alumni community—and raising its profile overseas. As evidence of this, Chrite traveled to Taiwan in March to visit with alumni and a handful of universities in the area. He was accompanied by Leslie Carter, Daniels director of international alumni relations. Carter, who has worked with DU international students, programs and alumni for 22 years, easily stepped into the position when it was developed in January 2016.
“Approximately 300 DU alumni live in Taiwan and this trip was the second we’ve conducted since my position was created,” said Carter, who traveled to Beijing and Shanghai, China, last year with Ronald Rizzuto, Walter Koch Professor of Entrepreneurship and J. William Sorensen Distinguished Professor in Finance, and Assistant Professor of Finance Tracy Xu.
Calling the Taiwan trip a “huge success,” Carter noted that more than 65 DU alumni attended a dinner on March 25 in Taipei, which included an address by Chrite on DU and Daniels, and a presentation from Joanne Hsiao (MBA 1981) on China’s financial industry and investment climate.
While in Taiwan, Chrite and Carter visited with leaders at YunTech, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology. “DU and YunTech have enjoyed a long relationship of more than 20 years. Our MOU is going to expire in June and needs to be rewritten, and we’d like to take it to the next level,” said Carter, who noted that DU alum Tsungting Chung (Ph.D. 1993) has been particularly instrumental in the relationship with YunTech.
“We also visited other universities in Taiwan to learn more about their academic offerings and explore whether future collaboration might be of interest,” said Carter. “All of the visits were very positive, particularly the one with YunTech. We spent a half-day there touring the campus, meeting with senior leaders, and had very productive discussions.
“As referenced in the University’s strategic plan, DU Impact 2025, the time is now to engage with our valuable connections around the world as we build the DU global alumni community,” continued Carter. “I am honored to be part of this effort.”