MUNCIE, Ind. – A Ball State homecoming has been a priority for Zina Andrianarivelo-Razafy, the ambassador from Madagascar to the U.S., since he arrived in Washington, D.C. last January.

Andrianarivelo-Razafy was a U.S. Agency for International Development Scholar from 1981 to 1983 and received his master’s degree in business administration from Ball State in 1984.

The ambassador and his family returned for homecoming weekend, and riding in the parade was particularly exciting for the family. Accompanying the ambassador was his wife, Elise, and their two sons, Rolland and Alex.

"I was delighted and positively surprised to be in the parade," he said. "I was delighted to show Ball State to my family."

Once he was appointed to his ambassadorship, Andrianarivelo-Razafy called Dean Neil Palomba of the College of Business to arrange the visit. The ambassador is also hoping to develop an exchange program to allow Ball State students to study in Madagascar.

Andrianarivelo-Razafy represents the president of Madagascar in dealings with the United States, World Bank and International Monetary Fund. He is concentrating on developing trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

"Any industry that is labor intensive will find the labor force in Madagascar easy to train and eager to work," he said.

Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world and 80 percent of its inhabitants are involved in agriculture.

"Madagascar is of great ecological interest," said Martin Limbird, director of international advancement. "There are animals and plants there that are nowhere else in the world and it is said that the oldest plant in the world still grows there."

By Kortney Reinitz, Graduate Assistant

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Martin Limbird by e-mail at mlimbird@bsu.edu or by phone at (765) 285-8129.)