CSB/SJU Students and Faculty Participate in Governor Ventura's China Trade Mission -<br /> Richard

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn.- Richard Bohr, professor of history and director of Asian studies, will be featured on MPR's Mid-Morning program at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 6, to discuss the College of Saint Benedict's and Saint John's University's involvement with the Governor's trade mission to China. CSB/SJU students and faculty have been active in preparing Governor Ventura for his China trade mission, which leaves June 7 for Shanghai and Beijing. John Hasselberg, associate professor of management, will represent CSB/SJU as he travels with Ventura and the rest of the delegation.

Recently, Bohr briefed Governor Ventura, several of his Commissioners and other government officials on the history of Minnesota-China relations and on the present political situation there. Bohr said his briefing helped prepare the governor for the press conferences and speeches he will deliver during the mission.

Students from CSB/SJU also traveled to the Vietnam Center in St. Paul to speak on China and participate in the Policy Roundtable Monthly Forum, titled "Minnesota-Asia Connections." There, the governor listened as seniors Rebecca Starr and Peter Hansmeier shared their experiences and insights about interacting with people in China. Peter Habenczius, SJU junior, also presented on Minnesota's Asian Connection. Accompanying them were Hoa Nguyen and Maureen Handoko of the CSB/SJU Asia Club, Brian Walseth of the International Affairs Club and Lynda Fish, international student advisor.

The group also presented Governor Ventura with tea mugs decorated with a Chinese horse to celebrate the Year of the Horse. The cups were made by Richard Bresnahan, SJU potter-in-residence.

In an article in PoliticalCircus.com, Dr. Bruce Corrie, Chair of the Roundtable, said,"Asia markets are among Minnesota's top export markets. Locally, Asian American firms are among the top 25 firms in a wide range of industries in Minnesota and Asian Americans represent a buying power of 1.5 billion dollars in Minnesota."

The Policy Roundtable monthly forums focus on issues facing the Asian American community in Minnesota. Top policy leaders in Minnesota have attended the Roundtable and include members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation, legislative leaders and top administrators.

The College of Saint Benedict for women and Saint John's University for men are partners in liberal arts education, providing students the opportunity to benefit from the distinctions of not one, but two nationally recognized Catholic, Benedictine, residential undergraduate colleges. Together, the colleges challenge students to live balanced lives of learning, work, leadership and service in a coeducational environment.