After being named the most outstanding local committee in the nation one year ago, University members of AIESEC were triply honored this month when they were named not only most outstanding local committee again, but also most respected and most improved.
AIESEC is the largest non-profit, student-run organization in the world, promoting global awareness through business and economics.
Started in 1948 to promote cultural understanding between European nations, it now has branches in 87 countries at 750 universities worldwide. AIESEC arrived at the University in 1963.
Committee members said being named the most improved local committee in the nation gave them a sense of pride.
"It was nice to have our efforts recognized," said LSA sophomore Kate Denton, AIESEC Michigan vice president of corporate relations.
"That one (most improved honor) is what we are most proud of," said Engineering senior Jon Opdyke, president of AIESEC Michigan.
Opdyke said the local committee accomplished many things during the past year on its way to being named the most improved local committee in the nation.
"We sent the most students abroad than any other local committee," Opdyke said.
AIESEC Michigan sent 19 students to Brazil, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and Venezuela.
One of the largest accomplishments of the year by the local committee was the assembly of an AIESEC resource Website available for everyone to use, Opdyke said.
The honors were announced Jan. 2 at an AIESEC national conference in Indianapolis. AIESEC Michigan was among 40 committees from colleges and universities across the nation at the conference.
AIESEC Michigan is the most selective local committee in the nation, Opdyke said.
"We run it like a business," Opdyke said.
As a result of the selection process, the chapter has only 60 members.
"People look up to you when you are from AIESEC Michigan," said Business junior Dan Preston, vice president of alumni and public relations.
With a new year starting, AIESEC Michigan is beginning many projects including working with the University's Russian department to help bring students to an AIESEC program in Russia.
AIESEC Michigan is also working with the University's linguistics department to bring students to various language teaching centers around the world.
In addition to working with DaimlerChrysler A6, AIESEC Michigan is helping to expand a company into Brazil.
AIESEC Michigan will continue work with Metro Detroit public schools in business and global educational experiences.
Working with people from all over the world, AIESEC breaks down barriers that often separate people from different cultures, Denton said.
"It makes the world a smaller place and shows that we actually have a lot of similarities," Denton said.
01-25-99
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