Elon University is one of four colleges and universities across the nation honored with the 2007 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, which recognizes schools that infuse international education into their studies and classroom culture.
The award, now in its fifth year, is bestowed by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. According to its web site, with nearly 10,000 members, the group is the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education.
“Elon engineered its rise with strong administrative and faculty leadership, a passion for strategic planning, and a knack for stretching limited dollars,” NAFSA stated in Internationalizing the Campus 2007, a collection of profiles on the four universities to receive the Simon Award. “Clearly, international studies and global awareness have played a large role the creation of this new Elon.”
Among the programs and courses cited by NAFSA:
* Elon’s extensive selection of study abroad classes
* The “Global Experience” seminar required of all freshmen
* Project Pericles, a national program Elon joined in 2002
* The Isabella Cannon Centre for International Studies
The campus internationalization award was named for the late Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., who NAFSA described as a “strong advocate for international education throughout his career in public service.” The group also named Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Georgia Tech and the University of Oklahoma as award recipients.
“In this global age, the internationalization of higher education is of paramount importance,” Marlene Johnson, executive director and CEO of NAFSA, said in a Nov. 13 news release. “It is our honor to recognize these schools who serve as role models for the field by their leadership in an dedication weaving international education into the fabric of the institution.”