American International College
Encyclopedia
American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational liberal-arts college located in the Mason Square neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts
.
American International College was originally established on July 18, 1885 as the French Protestant College by Rev. Calvin E. Amaron, who sought to create an institution of higher learning that would provide the local French Protestant minority with access to higher education. Over the years the college expanded its admissions program to include women in 1892 and other minorities, who were not of French origin and emigrated to Western Massachusetts
from other parts of Europe
and Canada
. Today, the college is a thriving multi-cultural institution of higher learning that continues to emphasize its commitment to the local community.
programs, including doctorate
degrees in education and physical therapy. There are five schools which focus on their respective academic areas: Arts, Education, and Sciences; Business Administration; Health Sciences; Graduate and Extended Studies; and School of Continuing Education.
team, which is a member of the Division I Atlantic Hockey Association
because there is no Division II NCAA hockey.
The school also fields a newly formed men's rugby team which will compete in Division II NERFU in the spring 2011 season; this is a club team, as rugby is not a sanctioned NCAA sport.
, a current member of the United States Congress
, and Mike Gravel
, a former Alaska
Senator
. Notable alumni in athletics include Jim Calhoun
, a Hall of Fame basketball coach, Dave Forbes
, a former NHL hockey player, Mario Elie
, a former NBA guard, and Bruce Laird (football player)
, a former NFL safety for the Baltimore Colts
.
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
.
History
Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts is a loosely defined geographical region of the U.S. state of Massachusetts which contains the Berkshires, the Pioneer Valley, and some or all of the Swift River Valley. The region is always considered to include Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, and the...
from other parts of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Today, the college is a thriving multi-cultural institution of higher learning that continues to emphasize its commitment to the local community.
Academics
The college offers undergraduate and graduatePostgraduate education
Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...
programs, including doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
degrees in education and physical therapy. There are five schools which focus on their respective academic areas: Arts, Education, and Sciences; Business Administration; Health Sciences; Graduate and Extended Studies; and School of Continuing Education.
Athletics
The school competes in Division II NCAA, and is a member of the Northeast-10 conference. The lone exception is the school's ice hockeyAmerican International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey
The American International Yellow Jackets men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the American International College. The Yellow Jackets are a member of Atlantic Hockey. They play at the Olympia Ice Center in...
team, which is a member of the Division I Atlantic Hockey Association
Atlantic Hockey
The Atlantic Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates primarily in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey–only conference. Unlike several other college athletic conferences, Atlantic Hockey has no women's...
because there is no Division II NCAA hockey.
The school also fields a newly formed men's rugby team which will compete in Division II NERFU in the spring 2011 season; this is a club team, as rugby is not a sanctioned NCAA sport.
Notable alumni
There are notable AIC alumni in politics, including Richard NealRichard Neal
Richard Edmund Neal is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1989. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is a former city councilor and mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts....
, a current member of the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, and Mike Gravel
Mike Gravel
Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel is a former Democratic United States Senator from Alaska, who served two terms from 1969 to 1981, and a former candidate in the 2008 presidential election....
, a former Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Notable alumni in athletics include Jim Calhoun
Jim Calhoun
James A. Calhoun is the head coach of the University of Connecticut's men's basketball team. His teams have won three national championships , played in four Final Fours , won the 1988 NIT championship, and have won seven Big East tournament championships...
, a Hall of Fame basketball coach, Dave Forbes
Dave Forbes
David Stephen Forbes is a retired Canadian ice hockey player.Signed as a free agent in 1973 by the Boston Bruins, Forbes made an impact as a defensive-minded forward as he helped guide the Bruins to the finals in 1974 during his rookie season, and to the finals in 1977...
, a former NHL hockey player, Mario Elie
Mario Elie
Mario Antoine Elie is an American former professional basketball player and coach. Currently, he works as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings.-Early life and career:...
, a former NBA guard, and Bruce Laird (football player)
Bruce Laird (football player)
Bruce Allan Laird is a retired American Pro Football player.Laird was a Pro-Bowl Defensive Back, primarily a strong safety with the Baltimore Colts from 1972–1981, then for the San Diego Chargers for two seasons, before moving to the USFL after the 1983 season...
, a former NFL safety for the Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
.