The American Corner (AC) at MMSU celebrated its 35th anniversary with the theme "MMSU-AC at 35: Onward to becoming a space for innovation and collaboration" last January 24.

The celebration started with the re-launching of the Youth Art Collaboration Mural Project at the University Main Library, a project of MMSU-AC in collaboration with the American Spaces Philippines and the United States (US) Embassy in the Philippines.

Initially launched last December 9, 2019, the mural project aims to help make the MMSU-AC a more conducive space for dynamic programs and activities that help strengthen relations between the US and the Philippines.

The relaunching was graced by Philip Roskamp, Counselor for Public Affairs of the US Embassy to the Philippines; Xavier Lara, director of AC in Manila; members of the new State Alumni Philippines - Ilocos Chapter; MMSU President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco.

The celebration continued with a lecture-forum at the University Function Hall which convened more than 200 students from the Banna National High School, and students, faculty members, and staff of MMSU.

In her speech, Dr. Agrupis lauded the MMSU-AC for 35 years of providing information resources to its clientele, expressing gratitude to the US Embassy in the Philippines for its continued support to the university.

Dr. Agrupis said the resources in the MMSU-AC are instrumental in the accreditation of the university's various programs, including its bid for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 certification and the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Stars Rating System.

To continuously satisfy its clientele, Dr. Agrupis also promised to improve the MMSU-AC in terms of facilities and equipment, adding that she is looking forward to stronger ties with the US Embassy in the Philippines.

She also hopes that the university can provide bigger space for the MMSU-AC in order to cater the needs of MMSU students and those in other schools in the province.

During the lecture-forum, Prof. Rommel Dascil, president of the State Alumni Philippines - Ilocos Chapter, encouraged the students to approach the organization if they want to avail of the programs under the US Exchange Alumni such as the Fulbright Scholar Program and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative.

Meanwhile, Prof. Leslie Rivera Corpuz, a faculty of the Department of Social Sciences at MMSU College of Arts and Sciences, informed the participants on the history of US-Philippines Relations in Ilocos Norte. Right after, Roskamp explained in detail the long relationship between the two countries.

Inaugurated on January 14, 1985, theMMSU-AC, formerly known as the American Studies Resource Center, is the center in northern Luzon and one among the 14 ACs established in various parts of the country. ACs provide reference books, periodicals, tapes and other information resources, and serves as avenue for seminars, forums, among others.