Languages

French Film Festival brings cultural diversity

For the tenth year in a row, the Palouse French Film Festival offered students and local community members the opportunity to experience a slice of European culture. “Some of our films get more toward the history of France, some are more modern and [delve into] culture or today’s French society,” said Sabine Davis, clinical professor […]

Art for Social Change showcase and winners

The annual Art for Social Change Competition and Showcase shines a light on local artwork that express the significance of social justice, community building and black history. This year, accepted works were featured in a public exhibition in the Fine Arts Gallery 3 and awards presented by co-sponsoring departments across campus. Students from all campuses […]

Foreign language study leads to success

Kevin Simeon (’17 Chinese) has traveled to distant continents, made many new friends, and established an international business based around his knowledge of Mandarin Chinese. He attributes his success to enrolling in Chinese 101 at WSU. It wasn’t until my sophomore year on the Palouse when I decided to take on the daunting challenge of […]

WSU undergraduate receives Sigma Xi research grant

AnnMarie McCracken, a student at WSU Pullman, has been awarded one of only 17 undergraduate research grants from the international scientific research honor society Sigma Xi  and its Grants‑in‑Aid of Research program. McCracken is pursuing a double degree and plans to graduate with bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and French. She will receive financial support from the […]

Navarro‑Daniels named Matteson Distinguished Professor

Recognizing her international reputation in service to language and culture studies, the College of Arts and Sciences named Vilma Navarro‑Daniels recipient of the Marianna Merritt and Donald S. Matteson Distinguished Professorship in Foreign Languages and Cultures. “Professor Navarro‑Daniels is a prolific scholar whose international recognition and prominence continue to rise, and the Matteson award, with its […]

Spanish instructor recognized for community language project

Cassandra Gulam, senior instructor of Spanish language and culture at WSU Vancouver, received the 2018 Excellence in Community-Based Learning award from the Community Engagement Institute at Gonzaga University for her project entitled, “Language Learners in the Community: Partnering with Safety-Net Medical Clinics in Clark County.” The review board specifically applauded Gulam’s attention to including her partners […]

Ethnic studies professor to lead new school of languages, cultures, race

Carmen R. Lugo-Lugo, a professor of comparative ethnic studies at WSU, has been named inaugural director of the new School of Languages, Cultures, and Race (SLCR) in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). She brings to her leadership role extensive experience in teaching and research as well as several years of mentoring graduate students […]

New language scholarship opens opportunities, honors alumnus’ mom

Molding better Americans is the motivation behind a new foreign language scholarship created for Washington State University students by alumnus Christopher “CJ” Johnson (’02), an officer and linguist in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. “So few Americans speak a foreign language, and the outcome is that few Americans understand the world outside their immediate circle,” […]

Foreign languages and cultures department newsletter, Fall 2017

In this issue of News Travels, learn about our new language certificate programs, a wide range of student activities held throughout the semester, creative learning activities like dancing lessons, field trips, and tasty tiramisu. Plus, don’t miss the photos from three faculty-led study abroad trips and a recap of honors and achievements by faculty and students. Read […]

German double major selected as a Rhodes Scholar finalist

Ryan Summers graduated from WSU on December 9 with a sensational resume: a first degree in computer engineering, a soon-to-be completed second degree in German, his name on a patent, selection as a Rhodes Scholar finalist, numerous awards for outstanding scholarship and undergraduate research, and a 4.0 GPA. The 22-year-old has also completed an international […]