Faculty members, managers, and administrative staff attended the ceremony at the 1966 Restaurant.

It is an institutional policy to recognize and exalt those who contribute positively to the development of the institution from their different fields and work fronts. For this reason, on Friday, March 31, Universidad del Norte (Uninorte) appointed April Ginther, professor emerita of Purdue University, as a new honorary professor of the institution for her outstanding contribution to the revision of academic curricula and evaluation processes in the Language Institute, linked through the Fulbright Senior Specialist Grant.

The honorary professor distinction is a recognition granted to those professors who have contributed in an outstanding manner to the fulfillment of our institutional mission, visiting Universidad del Norte, at least three times, with the objective of teaching courses, seminars and conferences of high academic level, and have distinguished themselves for their dedication and commitment.

The award ceremony was held at the 1966 Restaurant, with the attendance of Faculty members and Directors of Uninorte.

"Uninorte is a special place and working with you has been simply amazing. I've been to many places and this is the one I always like to come back to. Here they are always willing to work, to talk, to take risks and try new things. You have programs that are really strong and work really well (...) It's a great honor to be recognized in this way by the university. I have long since become a member of this community, but getting a degree like this or any other at any point in your life is important. I am very honored," said Professor Ginther.

The professor, who holds a doctorate degree in educational linguistics, has contributed since 2017 to the development of the processes of assessment of the learning of native and foreign languages at the Language Institute, through her support in the creation of teacher training programs, research projects and consultancies at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her work has led to international funding for research, high-level publications, and the participation of the Division's faculty members in international associations.

"This act is very special and very rare. This recognition is the gesture of gratitude from the group of colleagues at the university to a person whom they value highly for her tradition of cooperation. It is an act of mutual commitment. We need a friend at Purdue, like an ambassador, to help us work out a long-standing plan that has great strength in the Language Institute, but also opens up to other areas of the university. Thank you very much April for many years of collaboration and cooperation, my best wishes for many more," said Joachim Hahn, Academic Vice Chancellor of Uninorte, during the ceremony.

Professor April Ginther recently spent February and March at Uninorte to carry out activities related to the review of standardized tests for the ECO program, consulting for the construction of an assessment coordination for the Language Institute, review of the evaluation processes of the Foreign Language programs, among others.

"Many times, languages are thought of as an add-on, but in reality, today's students need languages and need to have intercultural communicative competence to deal with people in global situations. It is so important that students can take advantage of study abroad or exchange opportunities, because when they come to another country they realize how vital it is and how important it is to learn any second language, because it changes your perspective of the whole context and makes international collaborations on the practical side possible," the honorary professor advised.

Similarly, the dean of the Language Institute, Daniela Sanchez, also highlighted all the collective work April Ginther has done at Uninorte, as well as her professional trajectory and human sensitivity.

"For us, her sophisticated humor, fantastic stories, and provocative vision are greatly appreciated. We are truly grateful for her contributions and hope that she will continue to come to Uninorte, her academic home away from home, as she has proven to us to be an exceptional mentor (...) April, thank you for all you have done for this community and congratulations on this well-deserved honor," said the Dean.