ELS/St. Petersburg and Eckerd College Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership

October 11, 2016

On October 6, 2016, ELS/St. Petersburg and Eckerd College held a celebration to commemorate 40 years of partnership.

The celebration included an Open House where visitors were able to meet students, staff and instructors, tour ELS classrooms, and sit in on, as well as participate, in a class.

The second part of the celebration included a reception with special guests Mr. Kelly Kirschner, Dean of Executive and Continuing Education; Ms. Meg Duvall, ELS Instructional Specialist; and Dr. Morris Shapero, Eckerd College, International Business.

Duvall, who is a graduate of Eckerd College, began her career with ELS as a volunteer student tutor and Conversation Partner. Duvall has been with ELS for 39 years and spoke about the Center’s history during the reception.

Special Awards and Recognitions were given to: Ms. Lilja Davis, Eckerd Assistant Director Conferences and Summer School; Ms. Regina Pheil, Eckerd Operations Manager Executive & Continuing Education; Ms. Meg Duvall, ELS Instructional Specialist; Ms. Helen Freiday, ELS Eckerd Homestay Coordinator; Ms. Andrea Domonkos, ELS District Director; and Ms. Karen Grubbs, ELS Center Director.

Ms. Alexandra Zilovic, ELS Executive Vice President, Global Operations & Business Affairs, also spoke at the event.

ELS/St. Petersburg and Eckerd College work together to provide students with shared activities including the Conversation Partner program and the ELS Eckerd College Certificate Program. Students who participate in the Certificate Program attend an Eckerd College International Business or International Relations and Global Affairs course during their ELS session. At their session graduation, students are given certificate from Eckerd College and ELS signed by the Eckerd professor and Ms. Grubbs.

In the past 20 years, the Center has welcomed over 30,000 students, with 20+ nationalities represented in each four-week session. The Center also hosts the Summer Fun & Sun Youth Camp and January Youth Homestay Program, both for students ages 10 to 16.

Domonkos said, “ELS has enjoyed partnership with Eckerd College for over 40 years now, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration. Since 1976, thousands of students have gone through the ELS program and thousands more participated in Summer and January Youth Programs.”

Dr. Donald Eastman, President of Eckerd College, stated, “We are delighted to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of ELS at Eckerd College. This program has enriched the lives of our students, faculty and staff and we are grateful for its partnership.” Eastman gave the closing remarks at the celebration.

For more information on ELS/St. Petersburg, visit: ELS.edu/StPetersburg
For more information on Eckerd College, visit: UniversitySearch.com/Eckerd