Over 75 leaders in international education attended the A.C.E. Networking Luncheon at the NAFSA Annual Conference in St. Louis on May 29. The event inaugurates a yearlong celebration of A.C.E.’s 40th anniversary, with other events planned for the 2013-14 year. Opening remarks by President David Woodward highlighted the mission of A.C.E. in making the world your community – building relationships between people of different cultures to facilitate greater understanding and create goodwill.
Director of Marketing Lori Maxfield shares the journey of Reda from Saudi Arabia to A.C.E. and the MSU engineering program, before introducing Dr. Norm Peterson of Montana State University.
Director of Marketing Lori Maxfield introduced each representative from university partners along with stories from featured students. Click HERE for the interactive “prezi” presentation. Deb Schleusener, Associate Graduate Director of the School of Business and Economics, focused on Seattle Pacific University’s graduate programs in business and economics and their strong commitment to ethical practice. Next Dr. Norm Peterson, Executive Director of the Office of International programs, praised the partnership of almost 20 years between Montana State University and A.C.E. and valued A.C.E.’s commitment to its mission. Dr. Peterson eloquently likened MSU’s welcoming of students of all cultures to its location in the Gallatin Valley, “the valley of flowers,” a beautiful, neutral Native American ground that that was long spared warfare by a peace treaty between the tribes.
Senior Director Paul Kwilinski, far left, and Senior Vice President Sam Shepherd, far right, host the reception in the lavish Renaissance St. Louis ballroom.
Dr. Donald DeHayes, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Rhode Island, joined the event via a special video. “I’m happy to report tremendous success in both the recruitment of students and the globalizing of our curriculum. We look forward to working with A.C.E. and our other partners around the world as we advance the University of Rhode Island and the university’s global agenda.” Paul Kwilinski, Senior Director for Program Development and Program Advisor to the Intensive English Program at Saint Francis University, shared warm greetings from SFU on behalf of Brother Shamus McGrenra, Director of International Admissions, who was unable to attend. The international program at Saint Francis continues to grow with a strong commitment to caring for each individual student.
Director of Marketing Lori Maxfield, Senior Director Paul Kwilinski, guest, President David Woodward.
Friends, colleagues, and clients continued mingling after the presentation, reflecting on A.C.E. and the landscape of international education. We look forward to seeing you next year at NAFSA 2014 in San Diego as we culminate our milestone anniversary and look forward to the next 40 years of A.C.E.
A.C.E. 