Indiana University celebrated the golden anniversary of the Madrid Program, one of its most successful overseas study programs and globally focused collaborations while in Spain. IU President Michael A. McRobbie and other members of the university delegation marked 50 years of the Madrid Program and recognized the consortium of U.S. universities, known as the Universidades Reunidas, that has enabled thousands of students to study abroad in Spain's capital and largest city.IU President Michael A. McRobbie, right, talks to a member of the consortium from Purdue University.IU President Michael A. McRobbie addresses the room during the lunch celebration.IU President Michael A. McRobbie, assisted by IU Associate Vice President for Overseas Study Kathleen Sideli, presents Maria del Carmen Castaño Collado, longtime assistant director of the WIP Program in Madrid, with IU’s Distinguished International Service Award.IU Associate Vice President for Overseas Study Kathleen Sideli, left, holds the International Service Award for the audience to see after IU President Michael A. McRobbie, right, presented it to Maria del Carmen Castaño Collado, longtime assistant director of the WIP Program in Madrid.IU President Michael A. McRobbie talks to guests during the 50th anniversary celebration of IU’s study abroad program in Madrid.IU President Michael A. McRobbie and IU First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie stand behind the IU flag with the entire group gathered for the 50th anniversary of the Madrid Program. The program is also commonly referred to as the WIP Program in reference to its three main members: co-founders Indiana University and Purdue University, and the University of Wisconsin, which joined the program in 1970.Later in the day, an evening celebration was held to honor graduates and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Universidades Reunidas study abroad program. During the program, IU President Michael A. McRobbie presented IU’s Thomas Hart Benton Mural Medallion for Distinguished Achievement to Carlos Andradas Heranz, rector of the Complutense University of Madrid. The medallion is awarded for meritorious national or international service to Indiana University, or for exceptional achievements in any field or area in any part of the world, that reflects the most central values and principles of Indiana University and which contributes to the betterment of humanity.Students from the Universidades Reunidas study abroad program hold up their certificates during the evening graduation ceremony.
