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Kyle named new UCO's Ambassador in Residence - 12/11/08
UCO's New Ambassador In Residence Uses 'Musical Diplomacy'
To Build International Goodwill The University of Central Oklahoma's new Ambassador in Residence Kyle Dillingham doesn't need a translator or foreign policy advisor when he travels abroad representing the university. All he really needs is his violin and bow.
"People are a little shocked at first because they've never encountered anything like it," said Dr. Dennis Dunham, executive director of International Affairs at UCO, of his international trips with Dillingham where people often expect to be bombarded with information about the university instead of hearing music on the spot.
"But soon, people are asking if I am his manager, and I say 'no, he's traveling with me!'"
Using what he calls "musical diplomacy," Dillingham, who is a popular and accomplished Oklahoma musician, has found communicating with people in different countries becomes much easier if he first introduces himself through music.
"Music brings people together...everyone gets it. It allows people to have a relationship and begin building partnerships," Dillingham said.
He became UCO's Ambassador in Residence at the invitation of UCO President Roger Webb, who had gotten to know Dillingham and seen him perform as a part of UCO events over the past couple of years.
He took his first "official" international trip for UCO in October to Thailand and Korea with Dunham, which included a visit to the U.S. Counsel General in Northern Thailand to begin building a partnership there for study abroad opportunities for UCO students. "I am honored that President Webb sees the value in this. He gets it," added Dillingham.
"There is no budget that can buy the good that was done on that trip with something as simple as playing music."
He and Dunham have taken "musical diplomacy" trips together before, beginning when he was a student at Oklahoma City University and Dunham was working there. In fact, Dillingham has helped develop over 30 relationships with universities in Oklahoma and overseas universities.
When he is not traveling, Dillingham is a member of the popular Oklahoma band Horseshoe Road, with which he has also performed internationally, representing the state in various capacities.
The Enid native has been playing the violin since he was nine, and performed at the Grand Ole Opry when he was 17. He has since worked diligently to promote the music industry in Oklahoma in addition to his performance and travel schedule.
As UCO's Ambassador in Residence, his next big project will be the "launch" of the original composition "Argosy Overture" with Callen Clark, a ship-themed piece to celebrate UCO's Centre for Global Competency (CGC).
The CGC officially set sail in March 2008, and the composition will premiere on March 10, 2009, to celebrate a successful first year. Dillingham will perform as a soloist with the UCO Orchestra at the premiere.
"The idea of becoming globally competent can be hard to express in words, but the music can tell the story," explained Dillingham.
UCO is known for it's diverse student population, with students from more than 90 countries as a part of the campus community. Conversely, UCO's CGC is working to expand study abroad opportunities for American students at UCO as a part of the university's mission to give students opportunities to become globally competent.
For more information on UCO's international services, call (405) 974-2390 or visit www.uco.edu/ioffice.
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