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The World in Britain
Lars Franke continues family atmosphere, makes his mark
on Randolph’s flagship study abroad program
Lars Franke had the East Coast
at his fingertips when he spent
a week on American soil in the
spring. But he did something
very American, which is also very
European. Instead of beating a
path to Washington, D.C., New
York City, or some other metropolis
known for its tourist attractions,
Franke went camping.
It is one of his passions back
in Reading, England, where Franke
is beginning his second year as
director of Randolph College’s The
World in Britain program at the
University of Reading.
Before bedding down in his
rented RV at a campground near
Natural Bridge, Virginia, Franke
spent time on Randolph’s campus
in Lynchburg meeting with faculty,
administrators, and students. He
also delivered the College’s Quillian
Lecture, “Study Abroad and the
Shaping of Western Culture.” With
a year under his belt in Reading,
Franke is excited about the Reading
program and his plans for the current
academic year. He is also looking
forward to the Reading Reunion
planned for July 15–17, 2011.
“It’s been everything I hoped it
would be and more,” he said, adding
that the chance to take the helm of
the Reading program has given
him “a real sense of feeling that
I’ve finally found my spot rather
than feeling like it’s a job.” Franke
previously served as a visiting tutor
and an interdisciplinary instructor
of music for Randolph students in
Reading. In addition to his duties as
director, Franke is also an assistant
professor of music at Reading
and leads experiential learning
tours. He earned his Ph.D. in
musicology from the University of
Southampton and holds master’s
and bachelor’s degrees from the
University of Surrey.
Franke is emphatic about
carrying on the familial atmosphere
displayed by his predecessor,
Randolph Ivy, who retired in 2009
after 31 years of service. “The
students know they can come and
talk to me about things that aren’t
necessarily academic,” Franke said.
“That’s just as much a part of the
program. The students are there
to learn academically, but also to
experience the culture and to learn
about other ways of living, and to
develop as human beings.”
Randolph students spend
either a semester or a year in
England during the program. All
students take the course The World
in Britain, an interdisciplinary
seminar that explores—in large part
through day and weekend trips to
a variety of locations—the politics,
social issues, literature, art, and
science of England spanning the
Renaissance to the present.
Originally from Germany,
Franke has gained a wealth of
knowledge from traveling and
living abroad. “I would thoroughly
recommend it to anyone who feels
that they are interested in opening
up to other cultures,” Franke said.
“For anyone who attempts it, it will
be a life-changing experience.”
“The students are there
to learn academically,
but also to experience
the culture and to learn
about other ways of living,
and to develop as human
beings.”
Lars Franke
Director
The World in Britain
Lars Franke, director of Randolph College
Abroad: The World in Britain program
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