But three years in 91短视频鈥檚 has made the 31-year-old fluent in the language and ready to take the next step in securing a career.

鈥淣ow, I have a big plan to become a dental hygienist,鈥� Polanco said. 鈥淭he program is amazing.鈥�

The expansion of IEP鈥檚 recruiting efforts next year may help the program serve more students like Polanco, according to the program鈥檚 director, , a driving force behind a new partnership among 91短视频 and four other Mennonite institutions.

Students at the other four schools under the will screen admissions applications and recommend international students to 91短视频鈥檚 program.

The institutions involved in the three-year partnership with 91短视频 are Bethel College, Bluffton University, Goshen College and Hesston College.

鈥淲e are a precollegiate program that teaches intensive English to prepare students to study in an English medium,鈥� Roth said.

This month, an agreement also was made final between 91短视频 and Bridgewater College that facilitates the same recruiting partnership.

According to Anne Marsh, coordinator of Bridgewater鈥檚 Center for International Education, the college will screen students and recommend those who may benefit from the English immersion courses.

The program serves a wide range of students, from professionals to those who want to pursue or continue school in the U.S. or need to learn English for their job at home, to those who want to learn English for personal reasons. Roth is not sure exactly how much the new partnership will affect the program鈥檚 enrollment, but said even small numbers would make a difference.

鈥淎 lot of these schools have not been able to recruit internationally,鈥� she said.

91短视频鈥檚 program began in 1989 to support international students wishing to study in America. The classes emphasize listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar.

Currently, 54 students 鈥� half of them international students here for the summer, and the other half immigrant or refugee students living in the U.S. 鈥� are enrolled in 91短视频鈥檚 summer IEP program.
The international students represent seven nations and the immigrant or refugee students hail from 14 countries.

鈥淚t really helped me,鈥� said Zyad Alqurnas, 24, an international student from Saudi Arabia. 鈥淢y English skills are improving day after day.鈥�

Courtesy Daily News Record, June 19, 2012

Daryl Bert, vice president for finance, opened chapel by praising the tireless efforts of Bruce Emmerson, food services director for Pioneer Catering, which operates 52 kitchens nationwide.聽 Emmerson, who was named Pioneer鈥檚 “rookie of the year,” in 2007 and “director of the year,” in 2011, has continuously improved the quality of services that are offered to the students, faculty, staff and visitors of 91短视频, said Bert.

“I have appreciated how seriously Bruce takes feedback from our community by personally, wittily and publicly responding to feedback cards in the cafeteria,” said Bert. “I am always amazed at how quickly Bruce implements themes from the survey forms into the food service experience in the cafeteria…

鈥淚 believe this attention to quality is validated by the large number of faculty and staff that join students in the cafeteria for lunch on a daily basis.”

Byron Peachey, associate campus pastor, said: “Anytime I’ve needed to work with Bruce or Ramona [Lantz] with special catering needs or events, they are adaptable and easy to work with, willing to take on special events such as the Late Night Breakfast鈥� The food is always consistently delicious and varied.”

91短视频 routinely hosts outside groups, conferences and youth camps over the summer which adds to Emmerson’s schedule. LeDayne McLeese Polaski, program coordinator for the Baptist Peace Fellowship also praised the work of Emmerson and Matthew Hunsberger, Lehman Auditorium facility technician, in a written statement to Bert.

After stating that her Fellowship puts 91短视频 at the top of the list, Polaski added: “I would be remiss if I did not mention the excellent work of Matt Hunsberger and Bruce Emmerson… They are true professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide excellent service.”

Below is a list of students who were honored at the chapel ceremony for academics, athletics and community service.

Fall Season

Men鈥檚 Cross Country:

Dan Nafziger:聽ODAC Athlete of the Week (Sept. 1-5), All-ODAC Second Team, All-South/Southeast Region First Team, NCAA National Championships participant

Field Hockey:

Nicole Bencsik: All-ODAC Second Team

Jenessa Derstine: All-ODAC Third Team

Valerie Landis: ODAC All-Tournament Team, All-ODAC First Team

Adriana Santiago: ODAC All-Tournament Team, All-ODAC First Team

Men鈥檚 Soccer:

Barkot Akalu: All-ODAC Third Team

Kevin Chico: ODAC All-Tournament Team, All-ODAC First Team

Ryan Eshleman: ODAC All-Tournament Team, CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Team, All-ODAC First Team

Mitchell Leap:聽ODAC Player of the Week (Sept. 19-25), ODAC Player of the Week (Oct. 3-9), ODAC Player of the Week (Oct. 24-30), All-ODAC First Team

Brent Yoder:聽聽聽 All-ODAC Third Team

Women鈥檚 Cross Country:

Katie Eckman: All-ODAC Second Team

Women鈥檚 Volleyball:

Tabitha Bowman: CUA Guetle All-Invitational Team

Brittany Childress: 91短视频 Hampton Inn & Sleep Inn All-Invitational Team

Winter Season

Men鈥檚 Basketball:

Owen Longacre: Marymount Tip-Off Tournament All-Tournament Team

Women鈥檚 Basketball:

Raiven Patterson: 91短视频 Tip-Off Classic Most Outstanding Player

Kala Yoders: All-91短视频 Tip-Off Classic Team

Intensive English Program

Fanty Polanco

Maria Pena

Jihoo Park

Academic Support Center-Tutors

Stacy Kinkaid

Haleigh Hershberger

Lyubov Slashcheva

Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival nominations

Elizabeth Gannaway

Julia King

Justin Rittenhouse (alternate)

Jamie Hiner (stage manager)

Pastoral Assistant Recognition

Mitchell Stutzman 鈥� 1.5 years as pastoral assistant

Nursing Department Outstanding Service Award

Rebekah [last name omitted on request]

Student Government Association

Hannah Patterson, Senator

Joel Choi, Senator

Louise Babikow, Senator

Brittney Wenger, Senator

Katrina Goering, Senator

Daniel Sigmans, Treasurer

Nels 脜kerson, c0-President