Thanks to ILR alumnus Richard “Dick” Fincher ’73, ILR students have been learning about alternative dispute resolution both on the Cornell campus and on-location in Vietnam and at the Hopi and Navajo nations in Arizona. Fincher, who has been instrumental in creating and teaching the Vietnam Engaged Learning Program and the Hopi & Navajo Engaged Learning Program, has announced his intention to slow down and gradually retire from teaching, but the legacy he has created will continue.
“The most obvious impact is enhancing ILR’s reputation in Southeast Asia and China,” Fincher said.
To develop these Engaged Learning opportunities, Fincher braided his connection with the Scheinman Institute and his interest in dispute resolution with his belief in the importance of learning outside of a traditional classroom, a belief shaped by his own experiences as an ILR student.
“I am dedicated to enhancing undergraduate education beyond the standard curriculum. I appreciate the importance of students learning from alumni and outside practitioners,” said Fincher.
Ariel Avgar, outgoing ILR senior associate dean for research, outreach, and external relations, said “a real strength of the ILR School is our engaged learning opportunities, which provide students with opportunities to put their classroom learning to use. Dick not only envisioned and developed these two programs, he has put his own time, energy and efforts behind them.”
“Dick contributes to the school in countless ways. He gives his time, he develops new programs, supports our finances generously, and works with our students. He helps us across the board,” Avgar said.