News and Events
Twin Cities campus wins Simon Award
March 10, 2009—NAFSA: Association of International Educators has announced that the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, is a recipient of the 2009 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization.
Named for the late Senator Paul Simon, the award recognizes outstanding and innovative efforts in campus internationalization. Sen. Simon was a strong supporter of international education throughout his life, advocating for exchanges through his position on various Senate committees.
The U of M is one of five universities honored in 2009 and just the 10th public research institution to win the award over the past nine years.
“This is an outstanding honor and a great recognition of the University’s efforts to internationalize the campus,” said Meredith McQuaid, associate vice president and dean for international programs. “It is clear that internationalization is no longer an option at the University of Minnesota and that international programs have become an integral part of the campus culture and our teaching, research, and outreach programs. We are delighted that NAFSA has acknowledged our hard work with this award.”
The award is sponsored by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education. The winning institutions will be featured in the NAFSA report Internationalizing the Campus 2009: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities, to be published this fall. The awardees will also be recognized at the NAFSA annual conference on May 29 in Los Angeles. The other recipients are Boston University, Connecticut College, Pacific Lutheran University, and Portland State University.
University of Minnesota Reception in Los Angeles
OIP hosted a private reception in Los Angeles on May 27 for University of Minnesota faculty, staff,
alumni, and international partners.
The reception was held in downtown Los Angeles at the Golden Gopher bar, which was originally opened by a U of M alumnus in 1905!
Guests and University staff enjoy some time together.
The retro-hip interior of the Golden Gopher bar was a hit with the large crowd.
At the award ceremony (from left): Former Associate Vice President Gene Allen, NAFSA President
John Hudzik, Senior Vice President for System Academic Administration Robert Jones, and Associate Vice President and Dean for International Programs Meredith McQuaid.