International Center director wins Student Affairs’ Fidler award
John Pearson
BY KATHLEEN J. SULLIVAN
Every year, the winner of the Margaret Ann Fidler Award for Distinguished Service in Student Affairs is a closely guarded secret, revealed only at a May awards ceremony.
So when Margaret Ann Fidler, the first person to receive the award seven years ago, began reading the citation for the 2008 honoree, the audience did not know who had been chosen.
"For compassionate and collaborative leadership across VPSA and the university," Fidler read, standing at a podium May 13, holding a framed plaque in her hands.
"For more than 20 years of extraordinary service to faculty, students and staff," she continued, speaking to about 180 student affairs staff sitting at round tables in the Oak Lounge in Tresidder Union one recent morning. "For a commitment to excellence and a high level of integrity. For a ready sense of humor and a genial and approachable style."
It was the final phrase that revealed the identity of the winner—"and for being 'the favorite Brit' on campus for all staff and students, John Pearson"—and brought the audience to its feet, clapping, whistling and hooting for the surprised honoree.
At the podium, Pearson, director of the Bechtel International Center and a native of Manchester, England, kept his remarks brief.
Pearson, who worked at the University of Tennessee for 15 years before coming to Stanford, said he had just admitted to Tara VanDerveer, coach of the women's basketball team and the guest speaker at the event, that he had "very mixed emotions" when Stanford played Tennessee in the NCAA championship last month. Stanford lost 64-48.
"Maybe I can use my gift"—the award comes with a check for $1,000—"to buy season tickets to watch Stanford play next year," he said, to appreciative laughter from the audience.
After the meeting, Pearson was surrounded by colleagues offering congratulations.
"He's just the greatest," said Associate Registrar Susan Maher. "John is completely student oriented, with, of course, a very soft spot in his heart for our international students."
As the director of the Bechtel International Center, Pearson oversees a staff that helps international students, scholars and their families comply with U.S. entry requirements and adjust to life at the campus, and helps Stanford students apply for awards, fellowships and scholarships to study and conduct research abroad.
In a "What Matters to Me and Why" talk on campus more than a decade ago, Pearson said his fascination with America began as a child when his father took him to a Davy Crockett movie. Later, it was spurred by the blues. The music, that is.
"When I was about 12, my two older cousins became avid fans of American rock 'n' roll, blues and hillbilly music," he recalled. "I was hooked very early and it became my passion—and it remains so. At the time the Beatles were becoming well known I was listening to Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Hank Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis, the king of rock 'n' roll, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jimmy Reed, Johnny Cash and many, many more. It changed my entire life."
Pearson said the music drew him to the United States in the summer of 1969. His goal: to see the South, buy some old records and look for some old rockabilly singers in Memphis.
His fascination with all things American included the history and culture of the former British colony. He earned a bachelor's degree in American studies and history at the University of Wales-Swansea, and a master's degree in U.S. history from the University of London in 1971.
In 1975, he moved to the United States, settling in Knoxville, Tenn., after accepting a job at the University of Tennessee as coordinator of its study abroad program. A longtime amateur soccer player who remains an avid fan of the game and of the Manchester City Football Club, Pearson also coached that university's men's soccer team.
Still, there was a lot more of America to see—the West.
In 1985, Pearson moved to California to become assistant director of the Bechtel International Center. He became the center's director in 1988.
While he was flattered by the affectionate honorific, "favorite Brit," Pearson said he was not the only native of the British Isles held in such high esteem at Stanford.
"I know a number of Brits on campus," he said. "They are just as deserving of the title."
The Margaret Ann Fidler Award, named after a former associate vice provost for student affairs, recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary integrity, dedication to student affairs and the mission of the university, and commitment to teamwork. Recent honorees include former University Registrar Roger Printup, who won the award in 2007 (the year he retired), and Philip Spitz, a student services manager in the Registrar's Office who won the award in 2006.
The award was announced at the final "Second Tuesday"—regular division-wide meeting of the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs—of the academic year.
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