Freeman Retires After 39 Years of Service to International Students; Reception Feb. 27

Cassandra Thomas

Michael Freeman

Ryan Moh's first week at the U of A was not what he expected. As an international student traveling to Arkansas from his native country of Malaysia, he found himself lost and uncomfortable in a new country.

Until he attended the immigration basics class with the International Students and Scholars Office, where he first met Director Michael Freeman.

"His smile was warm. I asked him if there was anything else I needed to give him for my immigration documents, and I remembered all he said was, 'Nope, that's it. Welcome to the university,'" Moh said. "That small exchange reshaped my perspective of the university, and without that brief moment, I doubt my university experience would have evolved into what it is today."

Moh is just one of thousands of international students whose lives have been changed by Freeman, who is retiring at the end of February following nearly 40 years of service to the U of A, including 33 years in his current role as director of International Students and Scholars. A reception will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Graduate Student Lounge in Gearhart Hall.

The reception will celebrate Freeman's storied career, which has overseen immense growth of the university's international student population, as well as an expansion of student programming. Freeman began at the U of A in 1985 as a foreign student adviser. At the time, he had plans to return to Japan — where he had taught English as an undergrad one summer — and work there full-time. Then life happened — Freeman married and had children, and when the previous director of International Students and Scholars left the university, Freeman was selected to lead the unit.

At the time, the university had around 500 international students, and the international office Freeman was tasked with leading was a team of three — himself, an administrative assistant and an intern. 

"It was still very personable back then," Freeman remembered. "There were no computers. We did everything on typewriters. I don't even think we had a fax machine."

In the early 90s, the role of the office focused more on assisting international student organizations with their programming, as well as study abroad and international student advising. The office did oversee other programming such as International Culture Team and the iFriend program, but they were smaller in scope.

Over the years, Freeman has overseen the growth of those programs to be more proactive and inclusive of the international community. He's also navigated numerous changes to the international education landscape over the years.

But despite all the changes, one thing remained the same — Freeman's welcoming presence for international students.

"Michael Freeman embodies the idea of a warm welcome to the University of Arkansas," said Kiera Michailoff-Russell, an international alumna from Canada. "From my very first day as a graduate assistant in the ISS Office, Michael provided incredible support and always ensured I felt like an equal and a valuable part of the team. We experienced transitions, a pandemic and other forms of adversity together, and Michael always remained a calm and confident source of stability to me. He is truly the definition of a positive leader."

Audra Johnston, associate director in the ISS Office, has worked with Freeman since 2000. Over the last 24 years, she has seen firsthand Freeman's impact on international students, as well as his patience and support as a leader.

"Michael has made such an impression on all the students and scholars who have known him — they know that he genuinely cares," she said. "He's proven it in the times that matter most - whether that was shaking someone's hand and congratulating them as they lined up for commencement or whether it was standing at their bedside in a hospital room."

"He shares genuine excitement for our students when they succeed," said Lauren Denny, front desk administrator in the ISS Office. "It is apparent when seeing him interact with students that leading an international office is one of his true callings in life. The students light up when interacting with him, and it means so much to them when they see him supporting them at events."

"The students remember the little things that, for me, were just what I do as part of the job," Freeman said. "It may not seem significant, but for that new student, it really does stand out to them that someone is thinking of their safety or their welcoming and well-being."

When he looks back on his career, Freeman said he will remember the people - the students and scholars, as well as the staff in the ISS Office - the most.

"I just enjoy going through old files and smiling as I see a name I recognize," he said. "And I just find Arkansans being so warm and welcoming and genuine and not pretentious."

Colleagues in the Graduate School and International Education pointed to Freeman's legacy in creating community and belonging for international students.

"It's hard to overstate Michael's impact on our campus during his time here," said Ed Pohl, dean of the Graduate School and International Education. "Not only has he overseen exponential growth among our international student population, he's expanded programming and services that have created a tight-knit community and sense of belonging for our international students. And he's done all of it with a gentle, calming demeanor that has defined his time here at the U of A."

Members of ISS will also remember his contagious laughter.  

"One of my favorite things about Michael is his laugh. If you have been lucky enough to hear it, you know it's contagious," Michailoff-Russell said.

"Words do not do justice to his laugh," Johnston said. "Michael is very soft-spoken, but when he laughs, the sound could fill his native Texas. It's a pure, resounding, infectious joyful sound that everyone loves. Hearing that sound echo from across the office is reassuring — as one of our staff put it, 'That laugh is like medicine.'"

"Working with Michael for the past 24 years has been the experience of a lifetime professionally," she added. "He has taught me — by example — how to be a better adviser, better supervisor and better human."