Honorary degree recipients (L-R): Philip Crowther; Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal; Georges Lentz; Ambassador Carlo Krieger; Credit: Gerod Harder (Associate Director of Social Media at Miami University)

The 55th Anniversary Academic Convocation of the Miami University John E Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) took place at the Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg on Wednesday evening.

The ceremony kicked off with a virtual performance by the Miami Philharmonic Orchestra and the Glee Club and the playing of the national anthems of Luxembourg and the United States, respectively.

MUDEC Executive Director Raymond Manes then delivered the opening remarks, in which he briefly traced the history of MUDEC from its beginnings in Luxembourg City to its current home at the Château de Differdange; he noted that MUDEC has helped transform Differdange into an "educational hub" in the Grand Duchy. He shared that in the past 55 years, more than 30,000 students have undertaken study programmes at MUDEC. He emphasised the value of studying abroad in terms of opening students' eyes to a different culture. Whilst MUDEC recently opened a new student residence in Differdange, students have historically relied on the goodwill of local host families to accommodate them during their stay in Luxembourg, and this has allowed them to meet people from diverse backgrounds. Students have also immersed themselves in the culture through excursions and internships. Raymond Manes emphasised the values of study, travel and engagement at MUDEC.

In the speeches that followed, for example by Elizabeth Mullenix (Provost), emphasis was again placed on the value of study abroad in shaping "global citizens" and in forging partnerships, e.g. with local international schools (EIDE) and universities (LUNEX).

The convocation was also the occasion to award honorary degrees to the following individuals with links to MUDEC, in recognition of their respective contributions to society: Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal, Georges Lentz (CEO of the Bofferding Brewery), Ambassador Carlo Krieger and journalist Philip Crowther.

Later in the evening, Philip Crowther, a Luxembourg-born, US-based journalist who is known for being a polyglot, delivered a heartfelt keynote address, in which he shared his journey to multilingualism (thanks in part to his parents and his education in Luxembourg) and paid his respects to his late father. He described Luxembourg as one of the most multilingual and international places he had ever been. He also described the United States as a "vast, fascinating country" and he too emphasised the importance of studying abroad. He said that he felt being able to speak several languages made for "better interviews" and "better journalism" in general. His address was met with a standing ovation.

Elizabeth Mullenix concluded by thanking all those involved in making MUDEC a success over the past 55 years and in ensuring its future success.

Kate Voegele, an LA-based musician whose mother attended MUDEC, accompanied by musicians from the Conservatoire, performed throughout the evening and closed out the convocation.

The ceremony was followed by a reception.

(Credit: Jazmin Campbell / Chronicle.lu)