Year: 2016

Congratulations to Alton Brant, Joan Bridgwood, and Toshiko Kishimoto on their retirement! A party was held in their honor at the end of the Spring 2016 semester.

Dr. Alton Brant (Professor Emeritus, 1998-2016) developed the American Sign Language (ASL) program at Clemson University, the first and only public college/university in the State of South Carolina offering ASL for language credit. He introduced the Clemson community to Deaf Culture, and the faculty now train students in the discipline of interpreting. The Interpreter Education Program has directly impacted hundreds of deaf children (K-12) in the Southeast, training a new generation of interpreters.

Brant said, “I pinch myself orange and purple all the time. Coming to Clemson University was both a blessing and a dream come true. The former chair of the language department, Dr. Sandy King, and professor [emerita] of Spanish, Dr. Clementina Adams, had the vision to bring a visual language (ASL) to Clemson. I owe a debt of gratitude to them. They realized that millions of individuals throughout the world communicate through a visual signed language. Clemson is indeed a very special place and its students some of the best in the country.”

Joan Bridgwood (Senior Lecturer, 1986-2016) led the Russian program at Clemson for thirty years, took students to the St. Petersburg summer program, and taught Russian during the transition from the Cold War and the Soviet Union to glasnost and modern Russia.

“The first year I taught Russian (1986),” Bridgwood said, “the father of one of my 101 students would not allow her to bring her Russian textbook into his house, and when I traveled to Russia, conversations with Russians were stilted and in politically correct ‘peace between our countries’ language. During the 1990s, Clemson students studied Russian to take part in church missions, to speak the language of Russian friends, and to be challenged by a rich language. Many department heads later, and Russian studies circles back. Russian speakers and specialists are in short supply and I’m very grateful that Clemson has had the foresight to maintain Russian studies.”

Toshiko Kishimoto (Associate Professor, 1988-2016) started the Japanese program at Clemson and developed its minor, Modern Languages BA, and Language & International Trade BA. She has been the link between the university and the Japanese business community in Upstate South Carolina and a champion of Japanese culture in Clemson. Kishimoto received the Excellence Award in Teaching by Clemson University Student Government in 2008. She was also recognized by the Consolate General of Japan in Atlanta for her contribution to US-Japan relations, especially for her efforts as founder and principal of the Japanese Saturday School in Greenville, SC.

The Department of Languages is grateful for these faculty members’ many years of dedicated service.

Ed Arnold, professor emeritus of German, taught at Clemson from 1968 to 2000. Prior to joining the faculty, he taught for 10 years at A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, SC, and he also taught high school in Nabburg, Bavaria, during the 1973-74 school year. Among his many projects and accomplishments, Arnold translated two books dealing with the Revolution of the Candles in East Germany by pastors Joerg Swoboda and Theo Lehmann. He also directed Dionysia and Declamation competitions with Jacques Macy, professor emeritus of French. Arnold worked with the Language and International Trade (L&IT) team, securing a number of German/Swiss internships.

Arnold started a pen pal program with his German students at Clemson in 1972; all but one of the addresses were in East Germany. The German study abroad program began in 1980; students lived with German families and took classes in Bavaria. “The highlight of my 31 years at Clemson was my 12 study abroad trips to both West and East Germany from my home base in Nabburg,” Arnold said. “Many pen-pal relationships and three marriages formed that are still active to this day. I meet occasionally with past participants even now.”

After retiring from Clemson, Arnold translated another book and is searching for a publisher. He continued taking groups to a unified Germany in 2002, 2004, and 2006. “The participants were mainly friends I had known for many years,” Arnold said. “My 2006 trip was about 20, mostly from my own extended family.”

This year marked Arnold’s most recent trip to his former study abroad site. “My son took me to Germany as a birthday present for my 80th,” he said. “My heart nearly burst as I returned once again for about the 25th time to ‘my Nabburg.’ It was a special surprise when I met the current mayor in town. I had taught him English in 1973.”

Arnold has been involved with several charitable organizations during his retirement. He has worked extensively with Pickens County Habitat for Humanity, which recently celebrated its 100th house. “I am proud to be able to say that I have worked on at least half of them, and hope to continue for a while,” Arnold said. In addition, Arnold told the Polyglot, “I started an organized effort on behalf of ALIVE Wesleyan Church in Central whereby a rotating group of three of us purchases between 600 and 700 pounds of food one day each month from Bargain Food Store in Pelzer. Funds are pledged for Clemson Community Care.”

Arnold and his wife, Miriam, enjoy spending time with their seven grandchildren.

The following Department of Languages students were honored at the 2015-2016 College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities (CAAH) Honors and Awards Ceremony on April 8 in the Brooks Center Theatre. Congratulations!

Jane Kuebler – American Association of Teachers French Award

Ana Montoya – American Association of Teachers Spanish & Portuguese Award

Hanna Denney & Jamie Gillespie – Carlton Moore Award for Excellence in German and International Trade

Sarah Waldvogel – Clemson University German Club Award

Jessica Tang – JAASC Award in Excellence in Japanese

Austin Kunzler & Rebekah Jackson – Clemson Chinese Laoshi Awards

Laura Teague Albenesius – Gallaudet/Clerc Award for Excellence in American Sign Language

Hallie Simmons – The William Stokoe Interpreting Award

Elouise G. Cram – Language and International Health Academic Honor Award

Joshua A. Arrage – Language and International Health Award of Excellence

Chardrevius M. Martin – Language and International Health Award of Excellence in Research

Vicky Schwehr – The John Bednar Award of Excellence in French and International Trade

John Jeffcoat – Jordan Dean Award in French

John Dutch – Coccia Foundation Annual Award

Laura Hilty is a graduating senior in the Language and International Trade (L&IT) program. She studied and worked abroad in Spain, and she co-founded the Spanish Professional Society on Clemson’s campus. Let’s learn more about Laura and her accomplishments.

Where are you from and why did you choose Clemson?

I am from Lexington, Kentucky originally. When I was choosing a college, I wanted to leave Kentucky and try something new. I was looking at universities all over, but I knew Clemson was perfect the second I stepped on campus. Clemson also has the very unique L&IT major combined with the school spirit, high achieving reputation, and campus feel, so it really was the perfect fit for me.

How would you describe yourself? What do you like to do in your free time?

I love challenging myself to try new things, and traveling is a huge part of this. This played a huge role when deciding on my major, and I am so excited to have chosen a path that revolves around global travel and experiences!

Why did you select your major? Have you studied abroad or done internships related to your studies?

I always knew I wanted to do something on the international level, and I enjoyed my Spanish classes in high school thoroughly. When I heard about the L&IT major, it seemed absolutely perfect. I think the curriculum has the ideal balance of an international business education paired with the language and cultural knowledge that is so necessary in today’s global society. In conjunction with my major, I studied abroad in Alicante, Spain for the spring semester of 2015. After, I moved to Madrid for the summer, where I interned with the international company Voices of Leaders. Besides this, I have completed an internship with the nonprofit United Way of the Bluegrass and am currently a Recruitment Marketing intern with Clemson Marketing Services.

What was your most memorable class or experience in the Department of Languages?

I remember my first class as a freshman was L&IT 127 with Dr. Williams. Everyone who knew him would agree that Dr. Williams was always filled with passion and excitement, and it was contagious. I remember leaving the class so inspired and excited about my future. What a great way to start off college!

What advice would you give to other students in your major?

To other students in my major, just remember to always be as involved as possible and to start developing yourself professionally very early! I remember going to the career fair as a freshman and thinking I did not belong, but I am so happy I started gaining professional skills at the beginning of my college career rather than halfway through. Also, being involved in organizations is yet another form of networking. You might get a job/internship from meeting someone at a Clemson event…you never know!

How does knowing a foreign language benefit you?

In my experience so far, my knowledge of Spanish has set me apart from my competition in the business world. It shows dedication and a willingness to learn, besides opening doors to a multitude of new opportunities that require a second language.

Are you involved in any extra-curricular organizations, and what is your role?

In fall 2014, another student and I started the Spanish Professional Society at Clemson. This is an organization that promotes the Spanish language and the benefits students of all majors can gain from foreign language knowledge. The club has been a huge success so far, and I am excited to be passing it off to such a great team after I graduate. Besides this, I am the Vice President of Social Activity in the German Professional Society, and an active member of the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be working for TrackMaven in Washington, D.C., as a Sales Development Representative.

The 2016 Language and International Trade (L&IT) Conference focused on the theme of Nurturing Global Competence: The Relationships between Demographics and Marketability. It was held in the Hendrix Student Center Ballroom on March 9. The goal of the conference was to provide opportunities for students to learn about international business and to connect with leaders in the field.

The conference featured a keynote speech by Britt Beemer, CEO of America’s Research Group, who discussed how students can market themselves to employers. Spanish student and Clemson freshman Samantha Hall said, “I really enjoyed listening to Mr. Beemer give wisdom about how to become the best that we can so that we can make Clemson look great and allow the door to be open for future graduates to join the same companies. His information was very helpful as I begin to look into my future to decide what I want to do with my degree.”

The conference also included a panel discussion with alumni, who described their experiences while in the L&IT program at Clemson, including internships and study abroad. The alumni advised students on how to make the most of their foreign language education and how to market the L&IT program to potential employers.

The ninth installment of the Language and International Health (L&IH) Symposium brought Keith Groce, Executive Director of Neighborhood Focus, to Clemson’s campus for a presentation to students in February 2016. The semi-annual symposium is a forum to discuss and increase awareness of international health issues, especially those that impact minorities. Mr. Groce described the mission of Neighborhood Focus, which is to provide academic support, spiritual enrichment, and life skills to under-resourced children in Greenville, SC. He also discussed service learning and employment opportunities within the organization. Spanish student and Clemson freshman Stewart Ruddy enjoyed the presentation. “This program is really interesting because it helps at-risk children, mostly of Hispanic origin, succeed in school and social activities,” he said. The next L&IH Symposium will be held in the fall.

Staffan Bengtsson, Heinrich Clairmont, Robert Norton, Johannes Schmidt, and Ulrike Wagner: Herder and Religion. Contributions from the 2010 Conference of the International Herder Society at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. Heidelberg: Synchron, 2016. 260 pages.

Those interested in the nature and wide-ranging impact of Herder’s religious thought will find this volume to be a valuable companion. The contributors participated in the 2010 meeting of the International Herder Society at the University of Notre Dame, and they approach the question of what religion actually meant for Herder by examining the relationship between the shifting nature of his response and his angle of vision. Interdisciplinary in scope, the essays testify to how his position on religious questions changes, depending on his field of inquiry. Herder the historian, concerned with defining the origin of the Greek and Hebrew Bible, develops answers that differ from those by Herder the anthropologist, concerned with operations of cognitive processes; these in turn diverge from those by Herder the poet and aesthetician. Readers curious about Herder’s positions on religious and theological matters in conversation with others, and how others felt inspired by him, will find contributions ranging from his engagement with figures such as Spinoza and Kant to the influence of his thinking on nineteenth-century Anglo-American religious debates.

Order the book

View Johannes Schmidt’s Profile

Language and International Health (L&IH) students studying abroad in Seville had the opportunity to visit the Valme University Hospital, as part of an intensive seminar on the public health system in Spain. Accompanied by the director of the Clinical Imaging Diagnostics Management Unit, Rafael Aznar, and the healthcare director, Javier Román, the students explored different imaging technology, including ultrasounds and MRIs. They also visited the Maternal Imaging Diagnostics Unit, where radiologist Fausto Rubio, the coordinator of the unit, showed the visitors how imaging professionals work, the modern facilities, and the latest technology. The visit provided a practical complement to the students’ theoretical knowledge, especially in the area of X-ray diagnostics, and the students benefited from learning about professional healthcare opportunities.

Please see the full text of the press release in Spanish below.

NOTA DE PRENSA

Estudiantes norteamericanos de Ciencias de la Salud visitan el Hospital de Valme para conocer su organización sanitaria

 Han profundizado en los diferentes dispositivos asistenciales de la Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Diagnóstico por la Imagen

El Hospital Universitario de Valme de Sevilla ha recibido la visita de un grupo de 10 estudiantes de la Universidad de Clemson (Carolina del Sur) dentro de un seminario intensivo sobre el Sistema de Salud Pública en España impartido por el Centro Internacional de Estudios Culturales. La cita ha servido también para que estos alumnos universitarios pudieran conocer las características del Sistema Sanitario Público Andaluz.

Se trata de una iniciativa formativa que, a través de esta visita, completa los conocimientos teóricos adquiridos por los citados estudiantes. En el hospital sevillano han podido conocer la organización de la sanidad y el diseño de la asistencia hospitalaria, así como las respuestas clínicas ofrecidas.

Concretamente, el grupo de estudiantes norteamericanos se ha interesado por el área de Radiodiagnóstico. Acompañados por el director de la Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Diagnóstico por la Imagen, Rafael Aznar, y el responsable de Cuidados, Javier Román; los alumnos han visitado los diferentes dispositivos de esta especialidad. Inicialmente, el área de radiografías convencionales, radiología digital directa, ecografías, TAC, telemando, sala de radiología vascular intervencionista y resonancia magnética.

Posteriormente, se han desplazado a la Unidad de Diagnóstico por la Imagen de la Mama donde el coordinador de la misma (el radiólogo Fausto Rubio) les ha dado a conocer cómo trabajan los profesionales, las modernas instalaciones y la tecnología de última generación; así como les ha trasladado la experiencia en técnicas punteras para ofrecer una respuesta asistencial eficaz y de calidad. Es el caso de la mesa prona, biopsia al vacío o la mamografía digital con contraste.

A lo largo del curso académico el Hospital Universitario de Valme recibe la visita de numerosos estudiantes, especialmente de Bachillerato de la rama sanitaria, a quienes se informa sobre las posibilidades laborales del área de la salud y, de este modo, contribuir a su orientación académica y profesional.

The Department of Languages has established a fund to honor Leslie Williams, associate professor of Japanese, who passed away on July 10, 2014. The Dr. Leslie Williams Memorial Fund will be used for department events, especially Japanese cultural programs and Language and International Trade activities. The fund will be announced at the Language and International Trade Conference on March 9, 2016.

Williams joined the department in 1999. His academic research focused on Japanese pedagogy, Shintô rituals, pre-Meiji Japanese history, and Taoist cosmology and health maximization practices. He served as Director of the Language and International Trade (L&IT) Program from 2012 to 2014 and was the Assistant Chair of the Department of Languages from 2013 to 2014.

Williams had a passion for both teaching and his students. Twice he was named an Outstanding Clemson Professor by the university’s student government, and he also led a student trip to Kyoto, Japan, every other year for ten years.  Outside of class, Leslie played an active role in student life, leading the L&IT Society during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Donations to the fund may be made by check, payable to the Dr. Leslie Williams Memorial Fund, and mailed to Department of Languages, Clemson University, 717 Strode Tower, Clemson, SC 29634.