WNEU Receives Presidential Award for Exports
SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross presented Western New England University (WNEU) with the President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 22. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
“Western New England University has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion,” said Ross in his congratulatory letter to the university announcing its selection. “The ‘E’ Awards committee was very impressed with Western New England University’s use of trade missions and education fairs to increase recruitment of international students. The institution’s work within the education community to help other colleges and universities develop their international student recruitment programs was also particularly notable. Western New England University’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export-expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”
Western New England University currently has nearly 4,000 students enrolled, from 40 U.S. states and territories and 30 other countries.
“Ten years ago, our international population at the university was very small, and we would only enroll about 10 new students a year,” said Michelle Kowalsky, director of International Admissions. “Looking to become a more international learning community, in 2016 we brought in 60 new international students, and our overall population has grown to about 5% of the total student population. Getting here required a lot persistence and perseverance, and we are truly honored to be receiving the President’s ‘E’ Award.”
In total, Secretary Ross honored 32 U.S. companies and organizations from across the country with the President’s “E” Award for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of U.S. borders.
