The Legacy and Influence of International Students Started in the 1950s
Take a walk around campus today and you might notice that students from both near and far are part of the daily rhythm of CMU. Each year, students from around the world choose to make CMU their home away from home while pursuing their education.
The university’s journey toward becoming the globally connected institution it is today began in the 1950s — marking a significant turning point in its history.
Although international enrollment had existed in small numbers as early as 1939, a substantial shift started in the 1950s. In 1951, Mesa College was officially certified by the United States Department of Immigration Services to admit international students. That certification began to reshape campus culture and laid the groundwork for lasting cultural exchange on campus.
By 1959, students were learning alongside peers from Iran, Jamaica, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Turkey, Japan and South Korea. The international students began to shift classroom conversations, influence student clubs and signaled that global perspectives were becoming part of everyday life.
Clubs and organizations on campus responded positively to the changing student population. The International Relations Club, which was originally formed and advised by Vice President of Mesa College Mary Rait, took on a new life during this period. Instead of focusing only on academic discussions of international affairs, the club began hosting talks led by international students themselves. The change invited firsthand perspectives on world issues and cultural traditions. This era also marked the creation of CMU’s first Foreign Language Club due to growing curiosity among students about languages beyond English.
As the years passed, faculty, staff and community members all had continuous roles in supporting these early students. The Mesa Intensive English Program, led by Ron and Ellen Bradley, helped guide international students from the 1980s through the early 2000s. The program taught English and created a network that allowed students to feel at home in Grand Junction.
“It was a small college, but students were connected to something much bigger,” said Ellen. “These students go on to all kinds of careers and the experience that they’ve had here spreads all over the world.”
The Bradley's efforts included teaching English, hosting gatherings and connecting students with local host families.
“International students really enrich all of us, especially on college campuses,” said Ron, reflecting on the impact he’s witnessed throughout the decades.
That legacy continues today, with international students getting involved in academics, athletics and student life organizations.
“Their impact is felt everywhere,” said Alec Knight, assistant director of international services and study abroad. “They participate in sports, run for student government and join organizations all over campus. The value they bring in terms of perspective can’t be overstated.”
For alumnus Jandré van Wyk, ’23, from South Africa, connection came through sports. Being on the CMU Tennis Team offered competition and a sense of family.
“Being part of a team helps you feel part of a family right away,” said van Wyk. “I was fortunate enough to have incredible teammates from all over the world who made me feel right at home.”
Those bonds extended beyond graduation — van Wyk not only made lifelong friends but also met his wife while at CMU. He has since planted roots in Colorado, building both a career in his field of study and a life with his wife.
“My time at CMU set me up to be right where I needed to be,” said van Wyk.
Today, CMU is home to 101 international students representing 44 countries. Several of today’s international students participate in the International Student Alliance (ISA). Throughout the year, ISA hosts cultural and educational events and participates in traditions like the Cultural Inclusion Council Fashion Show. ISA gives students opportunities to share traditions from their home countries and creates opportunities for the entire campus to connect and learn from each other.
Beyond events and organizations, international students bring personal qualities that contribute to the institution’s values, like courage. For alumna Sushila Karki, ’21, from Nepal, courage meant pushing herself to grow in new ways.
“I wanted to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone,” she said. “At CMU, I felt welcome and loved. I had the opportunity to meet so many inspiring people who influenced me and taught me that with hard work and commitment, you can achieve your goals no matter where you come from.”
While courage defines many students’ journeys, CMU’s support systems ensure they never have to walk that journey alone. International Admissions, soon to be renamed the Center for Global Learning and Engagement, guides students through every stage of their CMU journey — from admission and visa assistance to orientation, welcome activities, ongoing support while enrolled and even support after graduation. The team includes Director Annie Gingerich and Assistant Director Alec Knight.
For van Wyk, who first found connection through tennis, that support system proved just as important as athletics.
“Being an international student at CMU was not possible without them,” van Wyk said. “They facilitate the well-being of pretty much every international student at CMU. I simply can’t express how loved and supported they made me feel at CMU.”
The support these students receive today builds on a tradition that began with the earliest international Mavericks. From the first arrivals in the 20th century to today’s global community, international students have shaped CMU into a more connected and vibrant institution.
Now, in the 21st century, CMU has continued the work that students involved in the International Relations Club and Foreign Language Club initiated in the late 1950s. The university now offers several foreign language clubs and hosts Cultural Cafés, where students, faculty, staff and guest speakers from various countries share their cultures through stories, authentic food, customs and more to promote cultural awareness and understanding.
That legacy of connection, courage and cultural exchange continues to shape CMU’s future. As the university looks to its next 100 years, the contributions of international students continues to grow.
“Every year we get a few new countries to add to our map and with them a new set of experiences and stories,” Knight said.
Together, these students enrich the Maverick community and ensure that CMU remains a place where global connections thrive.