Miami University to receive Honorary Luxembourg-American Business Award

Honoring 50 years of the John E. Dolibois European Center

Miami University is the recipient of the 2018 Honorary Luxembourg-American Business Award from the Luxembourg-American Chamber of Commerce (LACC). Miami is the first higher education organization to receive the honor since LACC first presented the award in 1999.

Since 1968, Miami has had a learning center in Luxembourg – the Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) – that offers students the opportunity to enroll in Miami classes taught by Europe- and Ohio-based Miami faculty. Students enjoy a unique combination of first-class academics, engagement in the local community and various faculty-guided and independent travel opportunities.

“Since the beginning Miami University and Luxembourg have partnered to educate thousands of students from not just the United States and Luxembourg but from all over the world,” said Michel Franck, president of the Luxembourg-American Chamber of Commerce. “More than 10,000 students studied at MUDEC and lived with host families to learn about our country and culture because of this partnership.”

In 1988, the center was renamed to honor John E. Dolibois a native of Luxembourg, Miami University vice president for development and alumni affairs, and later U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. Dolibois was instrumental in establishing Miami’s presence in Luxembourg. The center will mark the 50th anniversary of the program with an event in Luxembourg October 2018.

“Study abroad experiences are transformative for the student,” said Miami University President Greg Crawford. “The students who have studied in Luxembourg are passionate ambassadors for the program, the country and the people. They have gone on to be leaders in their fields. The people of Luxembourg play a huge part in the success of these students, and we look forward to growing this partnership for future generations.”

The Luxembourg-American Business Award recognizes an organization for its unique and lasting contribution to trade and business between the United States of America and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Guillaume and Crown Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg will present the honorary award to Miami, along with 2018 American Business Award-winner Amazon on May 15, at a black-tie gala in New York City.