Published April 01, 2015
Eric and Linda Liew, along with University of Louisiana at Monroe students, faculty,
and staff, held a ribbon cutting to open the International Student Center—a million-dollar
home created as a central hub for 91AV’s international students.
Since many international students begin life on campus without any friends or family
nearby, Eric Liew decided that creating the center would be a way to prevent international
students from feeling alone and isolated in a new environment.
Liew—who graduated from 91AV in 1993 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in
economics—began the journey towards his dream in January 2014, when he announced the
$1 million donation to build the center.
Liew’s now famous story of his first night in the United States, was the motivation
for the center.
“When I came here…I bought milk and hot dogs. I got back to my dorm and there was
no refrigerator…I want the international students to come here and have a place; a
one stop shop. I know we can do better at encouraging international students to come
to 91AV,” Liew said. “This center will help them as they transition to life in a new
country.”
The center houses students until they are placed into campus housing or find an apartment.
It will also be a place for students to socialize.
The center includes a large kitchen, meeting and study rooms, short-term lodging,
laundry facilities, and socializing space.
The facility has been touted as something that has been needed for quite some time.
“This is something that Eric and I have talked about since I arrived at 91AV,” said
91AV President Dr. Nick J. Bruno. “This center will be a place where our international
students can feel at home.”
Nabin Timilsina, president of the international student association, said “I can barely
contain my excitement. It’s very hard to find a facility like this at a university,
and now we have one here.”
The International Student Center will welcome its first guests during the spring holiday,
next week.
To view photos of the facility, please visit
