University of Arkansas and Spring International Language Center faculty, staff and administrators recently joined together to celebrate 25 years of partnership. U of A and Spring International officials will continue to grow the alliance, as the contract between the two institutions has been extended for five more years.

"There is nothing more gratifying than celebrating the powerful impact organizations have when they join forces," said Kim Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education. "That is precisely what happened in 1992, when the University of Arkansas invited Spring International Language Center to campus."

Spring International faculty teach English to international scholars who are seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees in the United States. Their intensive language and culture programs are designed to help these students adjust to the rigors of U.S. academic culture and to improve their English language skills quickly and effectively. Lead by Leyah Bergman-Lanier, the institute is hosted at the U of A's Uptown Campus. Adrianna Treadway is the director of the center's Intensive English Program.

"Leyah is a passionate and dedicated leader, who brought Spring International Language Center to the University of Arkansas campus and built it from the ground up," Needy said. "There is not one success at Spring International that does not have her handprint on it. She and Adrianna have been with the center throughout its history, and they make a remarkable team, leading an outstanding faculty who understand the importance of preparing our international students and scholars for academic success and leadership." 

The center has brought international recognition to the U of A, as thousands of students, scholars, teachers, government representatives and other foreign delegations have studied with and learned about the U of A through Spring International's dynamic programming and reputation for excellence.

Spring International Language Center president and co-founder Pambos Polycarpou, multiple deans, directors, and faculty from the U of A and other institutions with ties to the center, and several former students attended the celebratory dinner marking the anniversary.

Chancellor Emeritus Dan Ferritor summed up the significance of the celebration with the final toast, "Literally thousands of former students around the world are today successful beyond their wildest dreams because of the advantage that Spring International has provided over the past 25 years."