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Chairman's July Newsletter

National News

A Message from Chairman Dr. Quinn Peeper

Dear ESU Friends,

As we approach the end of July, I hope that all of you are having a wonderful summer. This year, we are moving towards a fully electronic membership renewal and enrollment process, which will commence on September 1st. This start date has been carefully selected to provide our Branches with ample time to adjust to these new procedures. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind all our members to renew their ESU membership and extend a warm invitation to those who have not yet joined our community.

On another note, I'm pleased to report on the June 20 celebration marking the ESU Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center's 10th anniversary and the graduation of the Class of 2024. Under the theme "A House of Immigrants" this milestone event was a testament to the center's enduring impact on the lives of countless newcomers to America. The celebration was filled with heartfelt testimonials, inspiring stories of success, and a sense of community that truly embodies the ESU's spirit.

The program also recognized the many who have been part of the center's success. The ESU Denver Branch was honored with the Leadership in Volunteerism Award for its participation in the English in Action Across America online tutoring program. The Community Partnership and Collaboration Award was presented to Flushing Bank for its support of the annual Career Days and the new professional mentoring program. And finally, two ARNIC alumni, Héctor Arguinzones and Niurka Meléndez-Vasquez received the Alumni Community Impact Award for creating the non-profit community-based Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) organization. 

The event also inspired the generosity of many whose gifts will contribute to the program's sustainability. I extend our heartfelt thanks to all the donors for their invaluable support. 

I'm pleased to share with you some pictures from the event that capture the joyous moments of this celebration. I encourage you to visit the gallery here and relive the memories of this special occasion.

As we look ahead, I am thrilled to invite you to the 2024 ESU Annual General Conference "Hands Across the Seas: Leadership for Global Action," which will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, from October 18 to 20, 2024. This year's conference promises to be especially memorable as it will be held in conjunction with the ESU of the Commonwealth's International Council Meeting, bringing to Cleveland representatives of ESUs from around the world. This unique opportunity for international camaraderie and exchange will undoubtedly enrich our discussions and foster a deeper understanding of our shared mission. Please mark your calendars and register for the conference here. We look forward to welcoming you to Cleveland for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend.

Dear friends, another great year is in store for us, filled with enriching programs and meaningful connections. I wish you a wonderful summer and promise to be back in touch in September.

Warm regards,

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Chairman's June Newsletter

National News

A Message from Chairman Dr. Quinn Peeper

Dear ESU Friends,

We are approaching the start of a new program year on July 1 and I would like to invite you to renew your membership in the English-Speaking Union (ESU) and if you are not yet a member to join us in our community of Anglophiles who appreciate the power of the English language to build bridges and open up opportunities. I also encourage you to consider upgrading to National Patron status, joining the ranks of our most generous and loyal supporters.

I am also excited to announce a new membership renewal process that will be entirely electronic. Instead of a mailed membership renewal package in early July, you will receive a series of emails reminding you to renew or join. This year the renewal process will be starting on September 1 to give Branches time to adjust to the changes in membership. Additionally, membership will now be on a rolling one-year basis from the date you signed up.

This new renewal process will offer several key benefits:

• You can join or renew at any time of the year, rather than being restricted to a specific renewal period. This allows you to become a member whenever it's most convenient for you.
• You will enjoy uninterrupted access to all ESU programs without worrying about a lapse in membership. This will ensure that you can consistently take advantage of events, resources, and opportunities.
• You will receive timely and relevant renewal reminders tailored to your individual renewal date. This will make it easier to remember to renew and will reduce the risk of accidentally letting your membership lapse.
• And new members can join immediately and start benefiting from the membership right away, without having to wait for the beginning of a program year.

And now that I have touched upon on the how of the renewal process, let me move on to why you should renew or join.

As those of you who have been part of the organization already know, the ESU is a thriving fellowship where members enjoy enriching experiences and form lasting connections. The social events organized by our Branches are always lively and engaging occasions to meet like-minded individuals and share in our collective passion for the English language and culture.

ESU Greenwich Branch Garden Party

The popular ESU Happy Hour Program, already in its eighth season, allows members to enjoy informative and entertaining presentations from the comfort of their homes, while the ESU Evelyn Wrench lectures bring insightful and thought-provoking discussions by renowned international speakers right to our doorstep.

Evelyn Wrench Speaker Andrew Lownie at the ESU Headquarters

One of the highlights of the ESU calendar is the Annual General Conference, which this year will be hosted by the ESU Cleveland Branch, October 18-20, 2024. This conference will be especially notable as it coincides with the ESU of the Commonwealth's International Council Meeting, bringing to Cleveland representatives of ESUs from around the world. We promise that the conference program will be especially memorable, featuring substantive discussions about the ESU future, along with exciting social and cultural events that showcase Cleveland's rich cultural heritage.

But beyond these wonderful activities, the true reward of being part of the ESU is witnessing the profound impact of our programs on the lives of thousands of middle and high school students, teachers, English language learners, and new immigrants. The success and gratitude of the beneficiaries of our programs are a testament to the difference we make together.

And now I turn to all of you who have experienced first-hand the ESU's remarkable programs and initiatives – our TLab, Luard Morse and Secondary School Exchange scholars, the families of our National Shakespeare Competition participants, the ESU volunteers, our ARNIC and English in Action alumni and everyone else who has been touched by the ESU. 

Join our Union! 

You know better than anyone the value of our work. Become a member and help ensure that these programs continue to thrive and benefit future generations.

The ESU needs all of you – new and returning members. But it needs you even more as National Patrons. 

Becoming an ESU National Patron holds immense value: it signifies a special commitment to our mission. It provides vital support not only to the national programs. Since half of your Patron's dues goes back to the Branches, you will strengthen your Branch's programs too - from sponsoring a TLab scholar to sending a student to New York for the National Shakespeare Competition, to supporting local charities, to hosting in-person local events.

The elevated National Patron status also comes with exclusive privileges.

As a Patron you will enjoy special recognition at the traditional invitation-only National Patron reception during the ESU Annual General Conference. Prominent listing of your name in the ESU annual report and on the website will show your special place of honor within our organization. And you are invited to join the exclusive ESU National Patron Tours that present unique experiences of cultural enrichment and unforgettable adventures made possible by the ESU's network of connections built over a century. 

This fall, the National Patron Tour "Shakespeare and Palladio in the Veneto" promises an unparalleled journey to this marvelous region of Italy. Guided by our Italian host, art historian Count Stefano Aluffi-Pentini, the group will have behind-closed-doors access to private villas and hidden treasures scattered across the picturesque Veneto landscapes.

Dear friends, join us in this new program year. The ESU is a vibrant forum for cultural and enrichment, fostering connections and making a lasting impact through the power of the English language. I promise you an exciting year filled with new experiences, new friendships and the profound sense of reward that comes from making a difference in the lives of others. Together, let's make this coming year our best yet.

With your generous support let's continue to transform lives.

With best regards,

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Chairman's May Newsletter

National News

A Message from Chairman Dr. Quinn Peeper

Dear ESU Friends,

I am thrilled to announce that in June we will celebrate the 10th anniversary since the ESU Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) became an integral part of the English-Speaking Union. Over the past decade, ARNIC has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for new immigrants, providing invaluable resources, education, and the support they need to integrate fully into U.S. economic and civic life.

For those of you unfamiliar with ARNIC, it is a free program that offers new immigrants English language classes, one-to-one conversation sessions with native English speakers and opportunities for civic and cultural learning.

ARNIC Students at the ESU Headquarters

One of the Center's newest initiatives is the Workforce Development Program launched two years ago with a major grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. It advances the economic integration of new immigrants by helping them to develop professional English proficiency and navigate the U.S. job market.

Job readiness English classes equip our students with the vocabulary and fluency needed to thrive in the workplace. A trained career advisor helps them to explore career paths, reviews their job applications and connects them to external resources. The cornerstone of the initiative is the professional mentoring program that matches immigrant job seekers with U.S. professionals who guide them toward reaching their career goals.

With pride, we can say that during the past ten years, more than 2,500 immigrants have passed through the Center's doors, benefiting from our programs and services. The Center's programs have been really effective. One hundred percent of the 395 students at the Center this past year reported improved English, 87% had acquired professional-level English skills and 93% felt more at home in the U.S. There was also a 23% decrease in unemployment among our students.

To commemorate the Center's 10th anniversary, we have launched a special fundraising campaign and invite you to join us in supporting ARNIC's continued mission. Your donation will have an even greater impact as ARNIC's long-term supporter, the Marietta and Andrew Romay Foundation, has generously offered a $25,000 challenge grant, matching all gifts made to the Center. 

Your contribution to the 10th-anniversary fundraising campaign will be instrumental in expanding our services to more immigrants and empowering them to build successful lives in their new country. By investing in our mission, you will be helping these newcomers to America to achieve economic stability, embrace their new home and contribute positively to our society.

To make your contribution and have it doubled, please visit esuus.org/donate-arnics-10th-anniversary.

In addition to this celebration, I am pleased to report on the successful completion of the ESU 2024 National Shakespeare Competition. On April 15, 2024, the Competition returned to its cherished long-time home, the iconic Mitzi Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Forty-four semi-finalists came from all over the country, along with parents, ESU Branch coordinators, and supporters for a weekend of educational and cultural activities in New York City, including an acting workshop with Broadway veteran Erin Dilly, a double-decker bus tour of New York City and a performance of Kimberly Akimbo on Broadway. Perhaps best of all for these teenagers was the opportunity to spend a weekend in New York City with fellow young Shakespeare lovers from across the country. 

The Forty-four National Shakespeare Competition Semi-finalists

With his performances of Sonnet 17 and a moving monologue from Othello, Malachi White of the ESU New Orleans Branch won the English-Speaking Union's 41st Annual National Shakespeare Competition. Willow Peyton of West Virginia took second place while Evelyn Hall of the ESU San Francisco Branch placed third.

From Left to Right: Evelyn Hall, Malachi White, Willow Peyton

I encourage you to read the press release announcing the Competition winners and to peruse the event program to learn more about the talented participants and their remarkable performances.

Dear friends, let us celebrate the tremendous impact of the ESU educational programs. Let us give a round of applause to Malachi White, Willow Payton, Evelyn Hall and all the other contestants of the 2024 National Shakespeare Competition and wish them success in their future endeavors. Let us look ahead with optimism and excitement to the future of the ESU Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center which will build on the solid foundation established during its first ten years. 

With your generous support let's continue to transform lives.

With best regards,

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Chairman's April Newsletter

National News

A Message from Chairman Dr. Quinn Peeper

Dear ESU Friends,

I am delighted to share with you the tremendous success of the recent ESU Luard Morse Scholarship reunion and celebration, which took place on March 22, 2024, at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. This event was a pivotal moment in our ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the Luard Morse Scholarships, energize our alumni network, and strengthen the bonds within the ESU community.

The evening was nothing short of spectacular, filled with warmth, camaraderie, and inspiring conversations among our guests.

Hosted by the British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce DCMG and Sir Charles Roxburgh KCB in the historic Lutyens Building, the Ambassador's residence in Washington D.C., the event not only celebrated the achievements of our scholarship alumni studies in the UK but also highlighted the program's transformative impact on their life trajectories.

During her remarks, the Ambassador extended a warm welcome to all attendees, emphasizing the significance of the ESU Luard Morse Scholarships. She spoke passionately about the program's role in fostering international understanding and academic excellence, highlighting its impact on students from historically Black colleges and universities.

British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce DCMG

Two distinguished ESU Luard alumni, Dr. Laurence C. Morse and Mr. Bruce Thompson, spoke about the scholarship's profound impact on their professional journeys. Their heartfelt stories of studying at the London School of Economics during their Junior year of college served as powerful reminders of the scholarship's enduring value and inspired renewed commitment to supporting and advancing its mission.

The event was part of our broader campaign to raise funds for the ESU Luard Morse Scholarships and the endowment that sustains them. I am thrilled to report that our efforts have been met with great enthusiasm and generosity. Thanks to the support of our members and friends, we are making significant strides toward the campaign's $65,000 goal.

For those who have not yet made a contribution, I invite you to join us in this important endeavor. Your gift, no matter the size, will make a significant impact and help us further our goals for the ESU Luard Morse Scholarships.

I invite everyone, whether you attended the event or not, to explore the photo gallery (use password: EntEsU23!). Those who were with us that evening will have the opportunity to revisit cherished memories, while those who missed the event will have a chance to share in the experience and appreciate the special moments captured.

Let us continue to build upon this momentum to ensure the ESU Luard Morse Scholarships' future.

Thank you once again for your dedication and support.

With best regards,

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February Happy Hour: An Ancient and Global History of the Book

National News

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 4 PM (ET) 

An Ancient and Global History of the Book with Professor James Raven

Sponsored by the ESU Central PA Branch

As James Raven writes, "perhaps we think we know what a book is—it has a cover and a spine and it's usually printed. It might be illustrated and it's usually read, although sometimes not all the way through. But over many thousands of years, books have come in many different material forms and have served many different purposes. What, in fact, is a book? In this richly illustrated talk, Professor Raven takes us from the earliest inscribed shells, stones, and clay tablets through to knotted strings, buffalo hides, illuminated manuscripts, printed codices, and the modern digital age. This global journey invites comparisons between materials such as papyrus, silk, bamboo, and plant leaves, and explores different ways of creating texts by writing, painting, imprinting, and digitizing. In review of all this, he asks what will happen to the book in the future and challenges us to think about wider sensory aspects of the reading experience. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central PA Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. Please register here.

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