News And Events

Share   Print

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,

Read Full Story

Share   Print

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,

Read Full Story

Share   Print

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.

Read Full Story

Share   Print

The ESU National Shakespeare Competition is Underway!

National News

We are pleased to announce the kick-off of the ESU's 2024 National Shakespeare Competition (NSC)! Now in our 41st year, the NSC has already engaged hundreds of high schools in 44 ESU branches across the country in 2024!  Branch competitions are beginning soon, with winners advancing to our final competition held LIVE on stage at Lincoln Center!  Once again, students, family members, teachers and branch representatives will be invited to join us in New York City for a weekend of exciting events culminating the in the Final Competition.

Read Full Story

Share   Print

January Happy Hour: Potatoes are not Irish with Dr. Robin Sinclair

National News

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 6 PM (ET) 

Potatoes are not Irish, Tomatoes are not Italian, Tea is not English or Why We Play Bagpipes at 9/11 Memorials with Dr. Robin Sinclair

Potatoes are not Irish, tomatoes are not Italian, tea is not English, or why we play bagpipes at 9/11 Memorials. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, European sailors traversed the globe in search of riches, glory, and new trade routes to East Asia. Historians refer to this period as the Age of Exploration, or the Age of Discovery. During this time, European explorers made daring voyages that changed world history. These discoveries caused ideas, technology, plants, and animals to be exchanged around the world. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the Nashville Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. Please click here to register:

Read Full Story