U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross presented Western New England University with the President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 22. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
“Western New England University has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion” said Secretary Ross in his congratulatory letter to the university announcing its selection. “The "E" Awards Committee was very impressed with Western New England University's use of trade missions and education fairs to increase recruitment of international students. The institution's work within the education community to help other colleges and universities develop their international student recruitment programs was also particularly notable. Western New England University's achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”
Western New England University is a private university located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Western New England University has nearly 4,000 students currently enrolled, from 40 U.S. States and territories and 30 other countries.
“Ten years ago our international population at the University was very small and we would only enroll about 10 new students a year,” said Michelle Kowalsky, Director of International Admissions. “Looking to become a more international learning community, in 2016, we brought in 60 new international students and our overall population has grown to about 5% of the total student population. Getting here required a lot persistence and perseverance, and we are truly honored to be receiving the President’s “E” Award.”
In total, Secretary Ross honored 32 U.S. companies and organizations from across the country with the President’s “E” Award for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of our borders.
U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service, part of the Department’s International Trade Administration. With offices across the United States and in embassies and consulates around the world, The International Trade Administration lends its expertise at every stage of the exporting process by promoting and facilitating exports and investment into the United States; administering Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties orders; and removing, reducing, or preventing foreign trade barriers.
U.S. exports totaled $2.21 trillion in 2016, accounting for nearly 12 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. Exports supported an estimated 11.5 million jobs nationwide in 2015, according to the most recent statistics from the International Trade Administration.
About the “E” Awards
In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth in one or more international markets.
For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov.
