Student Project for Amity Among Nations.

The Student Project for Amity Among Nations (SPAN) was established at the University of Minnesota in 1947 as a study abroad program for University students. SPAN sprouted in 1946 from an annual meeting between students at the University of Minnesota that discussed international problems. Journalism faculty member Mitchell Charnley was the first faculty advisor, followed in 1964 by Theofanis Staurou of the history department. SPAN differed from other study abroad programs; students completed an independent study curriculum based upon their major field of study and did not attend courses at a school while overseas. Small groups of students traveled to one of three or four pre-established destinations, and were accompanied by a University professor. SPAN is currently a non-profit student organization at the University of Minnesota that is open to students enrolled in any Minnesota college or university.