A brief history of ASE
Looking back at the key events since ASE began.
1987
ASE founded by Dr Don Nunes, a New Yorker educated at Wesleyan and the University of Rochester who has made England his home. He envisages a study abroad experience combining the best of the British and American university systems, and works closely with colleagues in Bath, Oxford and the USA to design the Programme.
1989
ASE first opens its doors to students. 11 students attend in Spring 1989.
1991
ASE establishes formal links with University College, Oxford.
1991-97
ASE gradually establishes its reputation, and increases its base of US affiliate institutions to eleven. Student numbers gradually increase.
1996
The Education Programme is launched.
1997
Don Nunes passes away. Ann Nunes, Don's wife, becomes director of the ASE Programme.
Inaugural ASE Summer School.
1999
Don Nunes Memorial Scholarship offered for the first time.
1999-2008
ASE's internship offerings increase from two to eighteen.
2000
ASE first represented at the NAFSA International Education Conference.
2004
Franklin & Marshall College acquires ASE. Dr Barbara White becomes Dean and Director of the Programme.
2008
ASE is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
2010
Jonathan Hope becomes Dean and Director of the Programme.
2011
ASE first represented at the Forum on Education Abroad International Education Conference.
2014
ASE celebrates its 25th anniversary. Over one hundred alums and friends of the Programme gather in Bath to mark the occasion.
The first ASE Theatre Summer School runs.
2016
ASE begins to work with all US partner institutions on an equal footing. The affiliate/non-affiliate distinction is dissolved.
2019
ASE celebrates its 30th anniversary, with major events in Bath and four cities in the USA.
2020-21
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, ASE launches its first online courses, including a Continuing Education programme for the ASE alumni community. Cohorts of students from Wellesley College, and small groups of international first-year students from F&M help ASE through the crisis.
2022
ASE welcomes the first official iF&M (the i stands for international) cohort - first year students from Franklin and Marshall College, beginning their college experience in Bath.
2023
The first Education Summer School runs.
“I chose ASE because I wanted an abroad experience that enveloped me into the place, rather than feeling like a tourist for a semester. ASE delivered on this expectation in every way. ”
— Emma Richardson, Hobart and William Smith Colleges