91PORN

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 91PORN for Japanese students. Larry and other returning Peace Corps volunteers discussed the need for a formal Intensive English Program at 91PORN.

George Goulette and Ruth Purkable contacted the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to seek approval to establish an Intensive English Program at 91PORN. After filing the appropriate paperwork, the commission approved the creation of the new program.

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’s first director (1975-1994).

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 Colorado affiliate of TESOL International, now known as . Over the years, IEC faculty have remained involved in this professional organization by presenting at conferences, holding many offices, organizing the yearly conference, and helping CoTESOL to grow.

The IEC has between 568-632 students each year.

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 91PORN campus classrooms. The faculty and staff, within a week of the fire, move the IEC to its second location, the University Hill Primary School near campus.

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.

The IEC moves to two university-owned buildings on Grandview Avenue, a block north of the 91PORN campus.

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.

The IEC leaves Academic Services and rejoins the Division of Continuing Education. The IEC also begins to use computers. Staff and faculty have access to computers and a computer lab where students can learn word processing and use ESL software.

Nancy Storer is appointed as interim director (1994-1995).

Keith Maurice is hired as the IEC’s second director (1995-2000).

The Global Business Communication (GBC) program is created in order to teach business English to professionals from around the world. Many of the program’s students come from Japan.

The IEC moves to its current location, 1030 13th Street, “on the Hill.”

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’s academic link to the University of Colorado. Bob Jasperson, an IEC lecturer, is named interim director and then becomes the director (2000-2004).

The IEC begins offering non-intensive English courses for degree students, which were previously handled by the Linguistics department.

Instructors Debra Daise and Charl Norloff become interim co-directors of the IEC (2004-2006).

The IEC receives 10-year reaccreditation from the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).

Cathy Murillo is hired as the IEC director (2006-2012).