Gerald (Jerry) Seaman

Before becoming Harlaxton’s seventh Principal, Jerry was on the faculty of the University of Evansville (1992-2000), chair of the UE Department of Foreign Languages (1997-2000), Associate Dean of Faculty at Lawrence University (2000-2006), and Vice President and Dean of Faculty at Ripon College (2006-14), serving as interim President in 2011-12. He earned his BA at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and MA and Ph.D at Stanford University.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I'll never forget traveling and camping in Hungary and Yugoslavia in 1985 – the time before the fall of the Berlin Wall, before English had become so pervasive, and before ATM's, personal computers, smart phones, and discount airlines. Being in such unfamiliar and ostensibly politically hostile places brought an initial sense of dislocation and insecurity that was followed later by a greater appreciation of the experiences, routines, settings, landscapes, emotions, and aspirations that define our common human condition.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

It seems like everyday brings a new growth opportunity. I've seen parts of the world previously unknown and, very directly, discovered more about the richness and complexity of Britain, its people, culture, and history since being here.

Harlaxton is the kind of place where today's challenge turns into tomorrow's achievement.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

"I never knew I could have so much fun digging a ditch!" This student comment alone sums up the transformative power of Harlaxton's involvement with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village project. Along with Habitat, there are also a number of community service opportunities that engage our students. These include the Grantham Rotary Club's Swimarathon which raises funds for many local projects, and, globally, supports Rotary's aim of ridding the world of polio.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

My favorite destination is Northumberland, including the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Alnwick Castle, and lunch in the seaside town of Whitby. Northumberland is a beautiful and fundamental part of the British heritage and landscape and, I believe, it is an often-overlooked destination for American students.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We all live and work together in a magical environment where there is "exceptional community spirit" and a "support personal approach." Our mission is to be the premier Study Abroad program in the United Kingdom, and our people endeavor to live that mission every day. Student departures are tear-filled moments – joy that the experience has gone so well, and sorrow that it has had, inevitably, to end.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

We have an exceptional US-UK administrative team and a long history (nearly 50 years) of providing an outstanding Study Abroad experience. Students are taught by excellent faculty from the UK and the US, and life outside the classroom is punctuated by local travel, college-sponsored travel, a Meet-a-Family experience, and a wide array of social and other activities that are focused on students' development as responsible global citizens.