A.C.E. Celebrates 15 Years of Partnering with MSU

This fall marks the 15th Anniversary of Associates in Cultural Exchange’s partnership with its host institution in Bozeman–Montana State University.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, A.C.E. President David Woodward, Chief Executive Officer Tony Fantham, and President of A.C.E. Japan, Shinji Moriyama traveled to Bozeman for a special ceremony organized by A.C.E. at MSU faculty member Cheri Ladd Le Cain. The Language Institute Director, Dr. Rick O’Connor, welcomed guests from MSU and the Office of International Programs, including Provost Dr. Joseph Feddock, Vice Provost Dr. Carl Fox, Vice Provost Dr. Norman Peterson, and Vice Provost and incoming A.C.E. board member Dr. Greg Young. A.C.E. was honored by the conferring of a honorary plaque, pictured left, by the representative from MSU. The event took place this past Wednesday, September 9th, 2009. More than 70 people, including a number of students at host families, were in attendance.

A.C.E. would like to issue a special thanks to the wonderful people at Montana State University for providing such a strong and beneficial partnership over the years. We look forward to another fifteen.

A.C.E. at MSU provides intensive English language instruction to prepare students linguistically and culturally for their educational and professional pursuits as well as opportunities for personal growth.

A.C.E. on YouTube

Did you know that you can watch videos about A.C.E., including World Language Programs, our Language Institutes and more, on YouTube? Follow the link to visit our YouTube channel and watch our movies, like this slide show from our 35th Anniversary International Symposium on May 23rd.

Have a happy Fourth of July weekend!

Gems from the International Symposium

During the 35th Anniversary International Symposium two weeks ago, we asked audience members to fill out a small, gem shaped piece of green paper detailing a memorable moment in order to share their experience with us. These gems have been painstakingly cataloged for the A.C.E. archives, and we may now present a selection of them here. Have a gem of your own? Add it to the comment thread below.

“The keynote speaker was great. Global Ed panel was inspiring. Economic Challenges panel was very informative and lively. Each panelist was smart and had interesting things to say. SPU looks good in the sun.”

Summer Schmooze 2009!

The Seattle Trade Development Alliance is holding its 2009 Summer Schmooze two weeks from today, June 18th, at Safeco Field from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The event will feature a slide show of the March 2009 International Study Mission to the United Arab Emirates. A.C.E. President David Woodward attended this trip before leading a follow-up Study Mission to Oman, which many of the UAE participants attended. To take part in this unique event or learn more, visit the TDA Summer Schmooze website. The event is $35 prepaid or $40 at the door. We hope to see you there!

35th Anniversary International Symposium Recap

By Colin Knight at A.C.E. at SPU–“What is the language most spoken in the world today?” asked Dr. Dong-gyn Ahn, the Vice President of International Affairs at Hallym University in Korea. “Mandarin,” one audience member suggested. “English,” suggested another. Dr. Ahn just shook his head. “No, no, no. The most spoken language in the world is ‘Broken English.’” The audience of SPU students and professors; A.C.E. administrators, faculty and students; and a variety of local and international scholars and guests broke into laughter.

This Memorial Day weekend Seattle Pacific University hosted a unique event: businessmen, scholars and public administrators from all over the globe convened in Gwinn Commons to discuss issues paramount to human society in the first part of the 21st century and forward. The event marked the 35th anniversary of Associates in Cultural Exchange.