OPIE 50th Anniversary Celebration
The Ohio Program of Intensive English celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Oct. 4 in the Nelson Dining Hall Banquet Room at Ohio University.
The event was attended by current and former OPIE faculty members, students and alumni, as well as Ohio University faculty and administrators and members of the Athens community.
Dr. Gerard Krzic, the Director of the Ohio Program of Intensive English, opened the event with a brief overview of OPIE’s history. Other speakers included Dr. David Descutner, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost; Dr. Robert Frank, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences; Dr. Lorna Jean Edmonds, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and International Studies; and Dr. Michelle O’Malley, Assistant Professor of Linguistics. They offered congratulatory remarks and spoke about their own experiences collaborating with OPIE over the years and working alongside Krzic.
Dr. Gerard Krzic, OPIE Director, Dr. David Descutner, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. Lorna Jean Edmonds, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and International Studies, and Dr. Robert Frank, Dean of the College of Arts & Science
Linn Forhan, a former OPIE Assistant Director who recently retired after 40 years of service, spoke about the strengths of OPIE, focusing on three areas: pedagogical excellence, innovation, and professional leadership. Forhan highlighted the fact that OPIE faculty have held leadership roles in the following national and international organizations: TESOL, NAFSA, and UCIEP.
Dr. Gerard Krzic, OPIE Director and Linn Forhan, former OPIE Assistant Director
Athan Vouzianas, an OPIE alumn from Greece who is currently working as a Lecturer of Engineering and Technology Fundamentals for Russ College at Ohio University, offered remarks about his own experience in OPIE in 1982. After he graduated from OPIE, Vouzianas completed an M.S. in Electrical Engineering at Ohio University. At the celebration, he spoke about the OPIE teachers who had a positive influence on him and the OPIE classes that helped shape him as a communicator and a professional. Vouzianas also told OPIE students in attendance that OPIE is the best program to help them become successful.
Athan Vouzianas, Lecturer of Engineering and Technology Fundamentals at Russ College and OPIE alum
Messages from OPIE Alumni and Former OPIE Faculty
The Ohio Program of Intensive English received congratulatory messages from OPIE alumni and former faculty.
“I very much enjoyed studying at OPIE and got the opportunity to learn English language there. My experience in OPIE seems to be a good match for my position at work,” said Eiman Alhosani. “I am working at Ministry of Education…. My presentation skills allow me to communicate effectively with directors, as well as keep my team up-to-date on our progress. During my break at work, I am passionate to talk and convey my experience to the staff about the series of classes I took in OPIE. I really appreciate every moment I spent there.”
“I had the pleasure to participate as a Fulbright student in the OPIE program this 2017,” said Zalfa Hurtado Cassab. “I cannot stress enough how this experience was the time of my life. It was tremendously intensive! I was very impressed by the care that the staff put to balance the work and leisure time, which filled my life with joy because I was able to be productive and to relax as well. Ohio is and will always be in my heart! I felt welcomed, supported and guided in all the aspects of my transition as a foreign student. I would like to thank again our teachers and liaisons, who are wonderful human beings full of patience and a good sense of humor. For all the aspects mentioned above, I will always be very grateful to have spent the most exciting and productive days of my life in Athens. Keep up the amazing work.”
“Congratulations on 50 years, OPIE!” said Erica Coffelt, former OPIE faculty member. “I spent six wonderful years teaching and advising students in OPIE, and I cherish the relationships and community that the program fosters. Relationships between students from different cultures are countries; students who learn that they have more in common then they ever thought possible. Relationships between faculty members and students, where sharing and learning go both ways. Relationships among OPIE faculty and staff. OPIE always felt like a big family to me.”
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