“Chic” Dambach (Colombia) School of Global Studies Fellowship

Monday, November 21, 2022

The School of Global Studies at Oklahoma State University has introduced a prestigious fellowship program for college kids with a profession curiosity in international peace. The Fellowship, named after OSU alumni Charles “Chic” Dambach (Colombia 1963-65), will present funding for college kids in the graduate program of Global Studies and allow a brand new technology of peacemakers to graduate from OSU.

Dambach started his tutorial profession at Oklahoma State University in 1962, when he got here to OSU on a soccer scholarship. After a shoulder damage rendered him unable to proceed enjoying soccer, Dambach had the alternative to discover different pursuits past the classroom, and interact in social, cultural and political points. He labored with different college students at OSU to deliver points of political and cultural significance to campus, typically placing them at odds with OSU directors.

Inspired by the activism he skilled throughout school, Dambach joined the Peace Corps after graduating from OSU in 1967. His first volunteer location was at a small fishing village in Colombia, the place Dambach stayed from 1967 to 1969, serving to the locals kind
a employee’s co-op, receive loans, construct a faculty and purchase gear wanted for fishing.

He leveraged this place to later turn into president of the Peace Corps Association, the place he labored to construct a corporation of returned Peace Corps volunteers that would be leveraged to additional the pursuits of international peace and growth.

He later turned a nationwide champion kayak racer, and competed in the 1986, 1992 and 1995 Olympic Games for the USA kayak and canoe racing groups. After an extended profession in sports activities diplomacy and administration, non-profit administration and different areas, Dambach started to make use of his skillset in peacebuilding by negotiating peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea to finish the border warfare. By the time the warfare ended, Dambach had saved lots of of lives by facilitating peaceable negotiations and discussions between the two nations. Later, Dambach served in the same position between Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dambach’s efforts in peacebuilding have been acknowledged by a large number of organizations, teams, governments and people. Most notably, Dambach was nominated in 2017 for the Nobel Peace Prize. In October of 2022, the School of Global Studies awarded Dambach
the Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellowship in recognition of his life of serve to peace and worldwide understanding.

The Dambach Fellowship was created by fellow OSU alumni to honor Dambach’s legacy at OSU and round the world.

“We are so honored that Chic and his mates and classmates are endowing a scholarship for Global Studies college students who’re excited about pursuing careers in peacebuilding,” stated Dr. Jami Fullerton, director of tutorial packages in the School of Global Studies.

Students acquiring a grasp’s diploma from the School of Global Studies and Partnerships at OSU can apply for the Dambach Peacebuilder Endowed Fellowship. The award will go
towards college students who plan to have careers centered on international peace. Students in making use of for the Dambach Fellowship ought to contact the School of Global Studies at i-study@okstate.edu.

The legacy Dambach has left at OSU, and the world, will stick with it because of the sort donations from the members of the Dambach Fellowship Founder’s Council.

If you want to donate to the fund, please go to dambachpeacebuilderfellowships.org.