Loh’s diverse background draws praise, pride

When incoming university President Wallace Loh came to the United States nearly 40 years ago, he described the culture then as a microcosm of Europe: racially homogeneous.

Decades later, he looks at a flourishing society.

"The face of America is changing," he said. "It is now a microcosm of the world."

Asia-born, South America-raised and Europe-educated, Loh embodies his own description of present-day America. His experiences in China, Peru, Belgium and the United States have molded him, said Larry Shinagawa, the university's director of Asian American studies. And they define what he said he plans to bring more of to the university: diversity.

With the dismissal of former Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity Cordell Black serving as the primary example of the fraught state of diversity at the university, Loh faces heightened sensitivity and high expectations. But he remains unfazed and has made specific plans to "internationalize" the university.

He formed these plans around a statement made by President Barack Obama, then an Illinois senator, at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

"There is not a black America and a white America and Latino America and Asian America," Loh recalled of the speech. "There is only the United States of America."

Loh described a desire to localize the concept to the campus by increasing the international student population and creating more opportunities for local students to study abroad. According to Rob Waters, assistant to the president for equity and diversity, the university has fewer international students than other public research institutions.

"We're trying to catch up in terms of internationalizing our student body," he said.

Loh said the idea behind expanding the international body is to create a "university without borders."

"You cannot be a world-class university without a commitment to diversity in all of its forms," he said.

He also expressed support for reshaping the curriculum to include a wider range of viewpoints — a necessary step for achieving academic excellence, he said.

Add these together, Waters said, and you have the essential makings of the university's in-the-works diversity plan.

"I hope it's a plan he can embrace," he said.

Loh has particularly caught the attention of the university's Asian community. Asian American Student Association President David Toledo said he hopes Loh will apply AASU's motto — "strength through unity" — to the university, but like other members, he prefers the president focus on the student body as a whole.

"We look for the new president to actually apply ‘strength through unity' to the entire campus," Toledo said. "Having a president who is of a minority group will hopefully inspire individuals to work towards similar feats."

Student Government Association Director of Student Groups Kaiyi Xie — the sole undergraduate member of the presidential search committee that ultimately selected Loh — said he also believes Loh's presidency will go beyond parallels with fellow Asian Americans at the university.

"It's a little more complicated than that we were both born in China. We both were, but he had this whole journey that is so different," Xie said. "If Dr. Loh listens to all constituents, students, faculty and staff, I think we can really do a lot with furthering diverse interests on campus."

Loh agreed that his Asian heritage doesn't define him.

"I don't think of myself as the first Asian-American president," he said. "I would think of myself as a president who happens to be Asian American. ... The difference is that I am first and foremost — and will be — a president for the entire student body, faculty, staff and alumni."

Despite his Chinese ancestry, Loh said he has more thoroughly mastered and identifies with Latino culture.

"When you go to school since kindergarten speaking Spanish, it becomes your primary language," he said.

Loh also described being heavily involved with Latino student groups at the University of Iowa, where he will leave his position as provost in November. But at this university, he said he hopes to have a more multicultural reputation.

"I would like to be involved with all ethnic groups," Loh said.

Shinagawa said he expects to see a rise in Asian-American applicants and donors, as well as more publicity for the Asian American studies program.

"I fully expect that Asian Americans will become a major part of the administrative community," Shinagawa said, "but I do not think he will ever exclude any other community."

Waters said the benefits of welcoming Loh, with his "compelling background" and "multicultural experiences," are win-win.

"Maryland has a great set of people," Waters said. "We all bring out different experiences in how we do our jobs, so I think he can learn from us as well."

Students who don't ethnically identify with Loh also spoke highly of his pro-diversity goals and plans to communicate directly with students.

"It would be great for him to be involved [in student groups]. It will make students feel more connected to our president," said Janice Castro, a junior psychology major.

Sophomore community health and French major Allie Miraglia said Loh's involvement with the student community will also boost the interest of more diverse applicants.

"I think he will serve as a great role model for students applying internationally and locally," she said. "It will raise the standing of our university."

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