Our History
The International English center has a multi-year history of welcoming students to the University of baby直播app Boulder for English language training, cultural and professional programs, and more. Look through some highlights of our history below.
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1974
Summer 1974
In the summer of 1974, Larry Fisher, a Peace Corps volunteer returning from Turkey, taught an English as a Second Language (ESL) program at the University of baby直播app Boulder for Japanese students. Larry and other returning Peace Corps volunteers discussed the need for a formal Intensive English Program at CU Boulder.
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1975
Early 1975
George Goulette and Ruth Purkable contacted the baby直播app Commission on Higher Education to seek approval to establish an Intensive English Program at CU Boulder. After filing the appropriate paperwork, the commission approved the creation of the new program.
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1975
August 1975
The Intensive English Center opens its doors as part of the Division of Continuing Education. Along with Continuing Education, the IEC is located in the Academy Building. The IEC opens with 44 students mostly from the Arabian Gulf countries of Iran and Saudi Arabia with a few students from South America and Japan. Jean C. Engler is the IEC鈥檚 first director (1975-1994).
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1975-1976
1975-1976
During its first year, the IEC has 357 students from 22 countries. The IEC, along with the Intensive English Programs at the University of Denver and CU Denver, is part of the founding group of the baby直播app affiliate of TESOL International, now known as . Over the years, IEC baby直播app have remained involved in this professional organization by presenting at conferences, holding many offices, organizing the yearly conference, and helping CoTESOL to grow.
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1976-1979
1976-1979
The IEC has between 568-632 students each year.
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1980
October 1980
The IEC suffers a fire at the end of the Fall I session that destroys most of the Academy Building and its equipment, furnishings, materials, and records. The 1980 Fall II session is able to proceed after the fire, using CU Boulder campus classrooms. The baby直播app and staff, within a week of the fire, move the IEC to its second location, the University Hill Primary School near campus.
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1981-1982
1981-1982
The IEC leaves the Division of Continuing Education and becomes a part of Academic Services. The IEC offers special programs of English study in addition to the regular intensive program. The Intensive English Center is renamed the International English Center.
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1985
January 1985
The IEC moves to two university-owned buildings on Grandview Avenue, a block north of the CU Boulder campus.
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1985-1995
1985-1995
The number of students per session increases from 70 students to 140. As the IEC grows, it rents and remodels more of the university-owned houses in the Grandview Avenue area, eventually renting all or part of seven properties.
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1990
The early 1990s
The IEC leaves Academic Services and rejoins the Division of Continuing Education. The IEC also begins to use computers. Staff and baby直播app have access to computers and a computer lab where students can learn word processing and use ESL software.
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1994
December 1994
Nancy Storer is appointed as interim director (1994-1995).
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1995
Summer 1995
Keith Maurice is hired as the IEC鈥檚 second director (1995-2000).
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1998
1998
The Global Business Communication (GBC) program is created in order to teach business English to professionals from around the world. Many of the program鈥檚 students come from Japan.
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1999
December 1999
The IEC moves to its current location, 1030 13th Street, 鈥渙n the Hill.鈥
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2000
2000
The IEC celebrates its 25th year as an Intensive English Program and is successful in becoming one of the first IEPs to be accredited by the new Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). The linguistics department becomes the IEC鈥檚 academic link to the University of baby直播app. Bob Jasperson, an IEC lecturer, is named interim director and then becomes the director (2000-2004).
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2003
2003
The IEC begins offering non-intensive English courses for degree students, which were previously handled by the Linguistics department.
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2004
2004
Instructors Debra Daise and Charl Norloff become interim co-directors of the IEC (2004-2006).
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2005
2005
The IEC receives 10-year reaccreditation from the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).
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2006
2006
Cathy Murillo is hired as the IEC director (2006-2012).
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2008
2008
IEC students start volunteering throughout the year in the Boulder and CU-Boulder community.
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2009
2009
The IEC has its first 鈥淕reen Day,鈥 one day per semester dedicated to celebrating and learning about the environment.
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2010
2010
The IEC completes a review and revision of its curriculum and class schedule in response to increased enrollments and a change in the student population. An electives program is launched to supplement students鈥 intensive English classes with additional optional instruction in test preparation, language skills, and other community-based activities not normally taught in the regular IEP classes.
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2013
2013
Patricia Juza is hired as the IEC director (2013-2019).
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2013
July 2013
The University of baby直播app Boulder Dean鈥檚 Council approves a Conditional Admissions Program for international undergraduate students.
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2014
January 2014
The IEC enrolls its first students in the ESL Academic Bridge Program for conditionally admitted international undergraduate students.
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2014
August 2014
The first ESL Academic Bridge Program student matriculates to the University of baby直播app Boulder.
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2015
February 2015
The IEC, in addition to Syracuse University, is selected by the U.S. Department of State to pilot the first EducationUSA Academy: a four-week university preparatory program for international high school students, ages 15-17.
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2015
August 2015
42 ESL Academic Bridge Program students successfully complete the program and matriculate to the University of baby直播app Boulder for Fall 2015.
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2015
November 2015
The IEC is one of ten institutions selected by the U.S. Department of State to host an EducationUSA Academy in summer 2016.
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2015
December 2015
The IEC celebrates its 40th anniversary at the Fall II Student Showcase on December 17, 2015 at the University Memorial Center.
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2019
July 2019
Ruth Moore and Susan Fouts are named Interim Co-Directors. (July 2019-present)
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2020
January 2020
The IEC launches the Pathway Track which allows Academic Bridge (conditionally admitted) students to begin earning CU degree credits while they are studying at the IEC.
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2020
March 2020
The IEC delivers all classes remotely (online) for the first time ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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2020
July 2020
The IEC is saddened by the loss of Co-Director Susan Fouts. The IEC will always remember her positive spirit, eternal optimism, and deep gratitude for all of life鈥檚 lessons.
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2020
August 2020
Ruth Moore is named IEC Director (August 2020-present)