World-renowned educator and author is candidate to receive honorary CSU doctorate degree

In recognition of his contributions to education, peace and positive change around the world, the College of Education and Human Services at Cleveland State University will host Dr. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice Chancellor, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, at an honorary reception and dinner May 13. Themed Transformation and Reconciliation in Post-Apartheid South Africa, the event is sponsored by the Roslyn Z. Wolf Endowed Chair of Urban Educational Leadership and will be held at the Union Club of Cleveland.

Dr. Jansen is also a candidate to receive an Honorary Doctor of Higher Education Administration Degree from Cleveland State University at its Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 15.

“Having assumed the mantle of moral leadership of South Africa from Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu for the past 15 years, Dr. Jansen has become the conscience for effective, peaceful and meaningful change in South African education,” said Dr. Ralph Mawdsley, holder of the endowed chair. “We’re honored to recognize him for his efforts and accomplishments, and for the example he sets for our students and others around the world.”

Known as one of a guiding force in South Africa since the end of apartheid, Jansen is currently the first black Vice Chancellor (President) in the 105-year history of the University of the Free State. He is also an Honorary Professor of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand and Visiting Fellow at the National Research Foundation.

His most recent book, Knowledge in the Blood, is far more than Dr. Jansen’s personal journey from the apartheid to the post-apartheid eras, but rather a universal story of education in divided communities. While Dr. Jansen discusses his frustration in addressing resistance to change, especially among the rigidly authoritarian white Afrikaans culture in South Africa, he ends on an optimistic note, recommending a “postconflict pedagogy” that recognizes the historical lessons of solidarity where persons have stood against oppression in South Africa and other places in the world, regardless of race or culture. These stories of hope are, indeed, the hope for South Africa.

A Fulbright Scholar to Stanford University, first black Dean of Education at the University of Pretoria and recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Education from the University of Edinburgh, Jansen received his Masters Degree from Cornell and a Ph.D. at Stanford.

For more information contact Colleen Simon at c.m.simon51@csuohio.edu or 216.523.7142.

About Cleveland State University

Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution that provides a dynamic setting for engaged learning. With an enrollment of more than 16,000 students, 8 colleges and more than 250 academic programs, CSU provides a hands-on learning environment that connects students, ideas and real-world experience.

# # #