Sixty-four SPANners, relatives, and friends, enjoyed the 2012 Bon Voyage Banquet April 28. Alumni from 1947 through 2010 shared their adventures with the students now preparing for their summers in Great Britain and Russia. A few scenes from the banquet:

Barbara Kappler, keynote speaker and 1986 SPANner to Malaysia, poses with Dr. Theofanis G. Stavrou, SPAN executive director.Kenneth and Elisabeth Norquist pause by a SPAN display. Ken was with the very first group of SPANners, in 1947, and has created a scholarship for current students.Tim McDonald, left, 2012 Russia, and his parents John and Janie McDonald (at right) chatted with Lynn Carroll, 1959 Russia.

Dorothy Johnson Suomola and Mary Parish, both 1962 Greece, met Paul Johnson, 1959 Russia.

2012 Great Britain SPANners include Cara Berger, left, Kay Leeman, second from right, and Matt Hagestuen. They are joined by Kay's husband, Steven Leeman.

Two groups ready to go on SPAN this summer

SPAN groups are now formed for 2012 research visits to Great Britain and Russia. Twelve students from several colleges (7 for Russia and 5 for Great Britain) are getting acquainted, focusing their research projects, and making contacts in the host countries.

Great Britain: From left, Irene Hamlin, U of M; Jack Miller, Normandale College, Advisor; Matt Hagestuen, Northwestern College; Kay Leeman, U of M; Zach Laskaris, Beloit College. They are shown in the SPAN library, among the research papers from students dating back to 1947.

 Also going to Great Britain: Cara Berger, U of M.

Russia, standing left to right: Matt Miller, Northwestern College, Advisor; Alec Albright, U of M; Patrick Kinville, U of M; Daniel Osborne, U of M; Alex Gilliland, U of M; Tim McDonald, U of M.

Seated left to right: Robin Arruza, U of M; Hannah Lambert, Northwestern College (no longer in the program); Alyssa Hertig, U of M.

Watch this space for more on the students' projects and preparations!

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SPAN relies on its alumni and friends! Donate to SPAN at:

Minnesota SPAN Association

331 Social Sciences Building

267 19th Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN 55455

SPAN is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. All donations to SPAN are tax deductible and are not in any manner connected with the receipt of goods or services.

What is SPAN?

SPAN, the Student Project for Amity among Nations, offers a one-of-a-kind international learning experience. Students travel abroad to conduct research on a self-chosen topic and to build bridges of understanding across borders, cultures, and continents. SPAN is Minnesota's oldest study abroad program and is open to students from all of Minnesota's colleges and universities. Since the program began in 1947, more than 2,500 SPANners have visited 93 countries on six continents.

During summer 2011 SPAN student researchers traveled to Hungary and Eastern Europe.

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Some quotes that apply to the SPAN experience!

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." - Miriam Beard

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the
life that is waiting for us." - Joseph Campbell

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