Quillian Visiting International Scholars

The Quillian Visiting International Scholar program brings an in-residence scholar to Randolph College every other year, alternating with the celebration of the Pearl S. Buck Award.

What does a Quillian Scholar do?

Quillian Scholars must share Randolph’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching and learning in a liberal arts environment and will

  • teach classes,
  • share their scholarship and creative activity with Randolph and the public, and
  • regularly interact with students, faculty, and staff.

Each scholar is also expected to develop and lead a faculty study tour at the end of their year of service.

Quillian Scholars, who must be fluent in English, may serve for one or two semesters in an academic year and will be provided housing, travel, visa support, and a stipend.

To learn more about the nomination process, please contact provost@917877.com.

About the Quillian Scholar program

The Quillian Visiting International Scholar program, originally called the Wiliam F. Quillian, Jr. Visiting International Professorship, was relaunched in 2024-25 after a multi-year hiatus. The program originally began in 1996 as part of the Lucille Puette Giles ’33 Global Studies Initiative. The program was named after Quillian, the sixth president of the College and one of its strongest advocates for international studies.

The Quillian Visiting International Scholar program is one of several internationally focused initiatives at Randolph. Others include the Pearl S. Buck Award, which is presented every other year (alternating with the Quillian Scholar program) and a Global Scholars initiative for selected incoming students.

2024 Quillian Scholar

Sudesh Mantillake

Sudesh Mantillake

William F Quillian, Jr. Visiting International Professor

BA, University of Peradeniya
MSc University of Lugano
PhD, University of Maryland
email

Sudesh Mantillake, a permanent faculty member in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, is the visiting scholar for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Mantillake is passionate about the intersection of dance, philosophy, education, healing, and activism.

His research interests include dance historiography, cultural heritage, traditional dance, and nation building. He is trained in Kandyan dance of Sri Lanka and Kathak dance of India, as well as theatrical clowning and contemporary dance.

Previous Quillian Scholars

  • 2012                    Roberto Nardi
  • 2011                     Slavenka Drakulic
  • 2010                    Lars Franke
  • 2009                   Haiping Liu
  • 2007                   Baktygul Ismailova
  • 2006-2007        Mario Maldonado
  • 2005-2006        Boutheina Cheriet
  • 2004-2005        Mansah Prah
  • 2003-2004        Lye Tuck-Po
  • 2002-2003        Kirtida Oza
  • 2001-2002        Aliaa Redah Rafea
  • 2000-2001        Michael Gilkes
  • 1999-2000        Haiping Liu
  • 1998-99             Emeka Nwabueze
  • 1997-98             Slavenka Drakulic
  • 1997                   M. V. Krishnayya