Year: 2022

As the Fall semester draws to a close, we look back on some highlights from Fall 2022 in the Department of Languages. We turn the spotlight on the hard work and enthusiasm of Department of Languages’ students and faculty and the wider Clemson community as they share their valuable knowledge and experiences working toward a global, interconnected future.

 

September 21: Commission on Latino Affairs Symposium

The LIH Society hosted the 2022 Commission on Latino Affairs Symposium on September 21 in collaboration with several Clemson organizations. The symposium, entitled “Equity in Heath Care and Promotion Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic,” featured guest speaker and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi of Baylor College of Medicine who presented the keynote lecture, “Transformational and Adaptive Leadership in Tropical Medicine: Academic Creativity, Strategic Alliances and Diplomacy.” An hour-long discussion panel followed the keynote lecture, with various community-based health organizations sharing their experiences promoting health and resiliency in Latinx communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The symposium concluded with a networking and poster session featuring the research of Clemson students and faculty.

 

October 5: Forum for German and Spanish in Latin American Business Fall 2022

The German and Spanish sections joined together this year to hold a Forum for German and Spanish in Latin American Business. This conference highlighting German investment in Latin America gave special focus this year to investment in the Bajio region of Mexico.

 

The event was organized by Professors Daniel Garcia and Magda Matuskova in Spanish and Professor Lee Ferrell in German. With both on-line and in-person sessions, there were approximately 130 attendees and 12 companies.

 

October 15: Department hosts 49^th Annual Poetry Declamation Contest

The Department of Languages’ 49^th Annual Poetry Declamation Contest returned to campus this semester for the first time since 2019, having been cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and hosted virtually in 2021. The contest and awards ceremony were held in the brand-new Humanities Hall.

The Declamation contest brings together high school students from 22 different schools across South Carolina and Georgia to compete in poetry recitation in their languages of study. Contests are hosted in 9 languages (ASL, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish) and includes levels ranging from absolute beginner to native speaker. Students recite two poems from memory: a mandatory selection and their choice of a second selection. They are judged by a panel of judges comprised of Department of Languages faculty and 27 guest judges from the community. This year, 280 students participated in the event.

The return to the in-person contest allowed the students, their parents, and teachers the opportunity to learn about Clemson University first-hand and participate in campus tours.

The Department of Languages thanks the hard work of the Declamation Committee: Su-I Chen, Amy Sawyer, Melva Persico, Julia Schmidt, Debra Williamson, and Lee Ferrell. It also thanks the guest judges, Department of Languages faculty, lab assistants, and many student volunteers who make this event possible.

 

November 4: Clemson Celebration of Día de los Muertos

The Clemson community observed its fifth year of the Día de los Muertos celebration on November 4. The celebration, which is sponsored by the Clemson University Commission on Latino Affairs and Clemson Inclusion and Equity along with sponsors from the Department of Languages, the South Carolina Botanical Gardens, and Clemson Libraries, is organized by students, faculty, and community members with the aim of sharing an important cultural tradition with the Clemson community.

Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life originating in Mexico. Now celebrated in communities throughout Latin America and the United States on the night of November 1-2, the Day of the Dead is an important celebration during which the living and dead are reunited in joyful remembrance and festivity. Day of the Dead celebrations typically include various colorful symbols such as marigolds, skeletons, sugar skulls, traditional foods, and altars where family members can honor departed loved ones with photos and offerings of food and drink.

The Clemson event featured altars, traditional food trucks, a display of the skeleton “Catrina” in traditional dress, face painting, a mariachi band, and a screening of the film Coco.

 

December 15-16: 12th Virtual International LiLETRAd Congress hosted by Clemson University

Clemson University hosted this year’s 12^th Virtual International LiLETRAd Congress, the theme of which was “Metaversality and immersive realities: a space for (re)construction” on December 15-16.

Aimed at professors, students, and alumni of English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, the symposium featured discussions, presentations, and lectures on topics including the relationship between literature and Metaverse, the convergence and compatibility of external realities, learning languages in virtual reality, human and economic social interaction, voice-constructed world and time-space, and more. The congress concluded with a discussion on how literature, language, and translation will always be essential. Clemson’s representatives and coordinators included Professor Graciela Tissera of the Department of Languages and Elysse Newman, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs.

 

The Department of Languages is extremely proud of the impressive accomplishments of our talented students and faculty, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities, achievements, and successes next year will bring!

Want to see more of what we’re up to? Read more on the Department of Languages facebook page.

Dr. Schratzenstaller will answer your questions about study / internship abroad in Germany; for all students, no German required for many of the opportunities:

Paid Internships, Study Abroad, Research Experiences, and Virtual Exchanges for (among others): Bioengineering, Computer Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, International Relations, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Intelligent Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, Renewable Energy Engineering, Business, and more.

Contact: Dr. Johannes Schmidt (schmidj@clemson.edu)

Society for American Sign Language Journal, Vol. 5, No. 1, Spring/Summer, 2021

 

Order the book

View Jody Cripps’s Profile

Society for American Sign Language Journal, Vol. 4, No. 2, Spring/Summer, 2020.

 

Order the book

View Jody Cripps’s Profile

The Spanish and German Programs in conjunction with the Department of Languages are pleased to announce a Forum for German and Spanish in Latin American Business to be held in the Hendrix Center Ballrooms A&B on Wednesday, October 5th.   This event, open at no charge to members of the Clemson University Community, brings together representatives of German Companies operating in Latin America.

The first session of this conference, broadcast via Zoom, will be a panel discussion “Opportunities and Investment of German Companies in the Gran Bajio.”    Representatives of the German-Mexican Chamber of Commerce, Robert Bosch, BMW Manufacturing and Draexlmaier Automotive will discuss the opportunities and appeal of investing and operating South of the Border.  Seating will be available in the ballroom for those wishing to attend on-site.

The second and final session will be an on-site only roundtable discussion.  Representatives of international organizations and German companies of our region with ties to Germany and Latin America, who will provide our students a chance to learn first hand about the German presence in our region, the truly international nature of business, as well as job and internship opportunities.  While we hope especially to reach students with Spanish or German ability all with an interest in international companies are welcome to join this session.  By pre-registration only.

For more information, please contact Lee Ferrell at ferrell@clemson.edu

                  

 

Forum for German and Spanish in Latin American Business Fall 2022

Wednesday, October 5, 2022, | 8:30 AM-12:00 PM

The Hendrix Center Ballroom at Clemson University

Sessions are presented via Zoom and on-site. See below for details.

 

This annual conference focusing on German companies in the US Southeast is held to inform our students about the diversity of investment in the US and Latin America and to provide networking opportunities for our students and attending companies.

The 2022 forum is held in conjunction with the Mexican Consulate-General in Raleigh.

Our thanks to Upstate International for their help in promoting this event.

Agenda

A. Opening Remarks and Panel Discussion

This opening session will be presented via Zoom.  Students intending to attend the roundtable discussions should join these sessions on-site in the Hendrix Ballroom.

The opening remarks, keynote, and panel discussion can be viewed on Zoom.

To attend via zoom, pre-register here:

https://clemson.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEscu6vpzIrGtZb0vd8IJX8ew0Szpd5I3XH

1. Welcome message 9:00-9:10AM (8:00-8:10AM CDMX)

Lee Ferrell, Principal Lecturer of German, Clemson University (5 minutes)

Claudia Velasco Osorio, Cónsul General of Mexico in Raleigh (5 minutes)

2. Keynote presentation 9:10-9:25AM (8:10-8:25AM CDMX)

Dr. Mónica Duhem, Chief of the Global Economic Intelligence Unit, Mexican Ministry of the Economy (15 minutes)

Foreign Direct Investment and German Foreign Direct Investment in an environment in Mexico and the Bajío

3. Panel discussion 9:25-10:40AM (8:25-9:40AM CDMX)

Mr. Thomas Meller, Office Director for the Bajio Region.  German-Mexican Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CAMEXA)

Mr. Christian Langstein, Chief Financial Officer Draexlmaier Automotive Group

Mr. Homero Lopez, Senior Buyer for Capital Equipment – Region Mexico
Robert Bosch

Mr. Carlos Gutiérrez, Head of Governmental Affairs in San Luis Potosi, BMW Mfg. Co.

B. Roundtable discussions

 On-site only.
To select companies to meet with, pre-register here: https://forms.gle/JM3oprq1Mp9Xz8jj8

This session features small-group discussions hosted by participating companies. This will provide a more personal perspective and connection for our students on various companies and organizations participating in and promoting trade and investment in Latin America. We also encourage our guests to discuss internships and job opportunities.

10:50-12:20PM (9:50-11:20AM CDMX)

Welcome,  Prof. Jae Takeuchi

Roundtable Discussions

 

Hosting Companies

1. BMW: Garrett Bounds, Michelle Bounds
2. Dräxlmaier Group: Ralph Schwarz, Head of Corporate communications;    Ms. Estefania Ocampo, Corporate Communications Media Specialist U.S.
3. German-American Chamber of Commerce South: Thomas Kislat, Membership Manager
4. Häring Precision: Nikki Bailey, Human Resources Manager;   Nathan Lindler, Production Manager
5. Magna: Mr. David Meier;   Dennis Creekmore, Human Resources
6. Michelin North America: Ms. Monica Johnson, Talent Acquisition Director
7. SEW Eurodrive, Inc.: Rainer Neufeld,  Corporate Electronics Manager
8. Robert Bosch: Craig Lockhart;  Chuck Purry, HR Manager – Anderson
9. Rolls Royce: Heinz Oblaender, Director of Purchasing
10. TRS  Staffing: Lauren Guthre,  Technical Recruiter;   Lindsey Carney, North American Training and Assessment Manager
11. Upstate International: Tracie Frese, Executive Director
12. Wetzel Services: Lish Choo-Simpson, language Manager; Laura Schmidt, German Language Program Director
13. ZF North American: Christopher Ludwig,  Head of Materials Management North America – Division Electrified Powertrain

 

  

 

Conference Guests Profile

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Monica Duhem Delgado is an economist. She earned an MSc in Economics and Philosophy from London School of Economics and a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from Universidad Iberoamericana. Dr. Duhem has extensive experience in the Information Technology and Services industry and has promoted digital world as an enabling component for public problems.

During her work experience, she has collaborated with governments, Civil Society Organizations and the business sector in projects aimed at using strategic information generating and integrating data, and digital mechanisms for public policy and economic development. She is currently Head of the Global Economic Intelligence Unit at the Mexican Secretariat of Economy

Panel Discussion Speakers

Homero Lopez, Senior Buyer for Capital Equipment – Region Mexico,  Robert Bosch, www.bosch.us

 

Responsible for sourcing capital investment machinery, heavy equipment, ​and production lines for Bosch Mexico plants. Completed a Bachelor in Science degree in Industrial Engineering and a Masters degree in Business Administration.

Twenty years of work experience in logistics and purchasing in a wide variety of industries, such as military-aerospace, healthcare, food, and automotive industries. In addition, leader of Bosch’s Diversity and Inclusion group “Hispanics @ Bosch” for the southeast area.

 

Christian Langstein,  Chief Financial Officer Americas, DRÄXLMAIER Group

DRÄXLMAIER Group; www.draexlmaier.us

Christian Langstein has been with the DRÄXLMAIER Group for more than 20 years and has held various management positions in the commercial area in Germany, Mexico/Nicaragua and the USA. Prior to being appointed CFO for the Americas, he was the head of Finance Mexico, head of Site Infrastructure Americas and head of Corporate Development Americas. Christian is very familiar with the Bajio region, having spent six years in San Luis Potosi (2006-2012) to support the expansion of the DRÄXLMAIER business operations in central Mexico. After moving back to the U.S. in 2012, he continued to travel frequently to Mexico to negotiate and oversee the various expansion projects in Matehuala, San Miguel de Allende, Valle de Santiago and Lagos de Moreno. A native of Germany, Christian graduated in 2004 with a degree in business (concentration on international banking and finance). He lives in Hendersonville, N.C. Away from work, he enjoys mountain biking, hiking and his all-time favorite sport: skiing.

 

Roundtables Company Profiles

BMW Manufacturing  https://www.bmwgroup-werke.com/spartanburg/en.html

Garrett Bounds – Body Shop Central Maintenance Manager

I studied Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University. Upon graduation, I worked for a non-profit in Buenos Aires, Argentina for 1 year. After returning to the US, I joined BMW Manufacturing through a 2-year rotational program entitled PACE (Professional Accelerated Cross-Functional Experience). After completing the program, I spent 6.5 years in vehicle testing and validation for interior content and two of those years were spent in Munich validating the earliest build phase of models that ultimately came to Plant Spartanburg. In 2019 I moved to our Body Shop Organization where I spent 3 years as the manager for the Body Shop Metrology team and have recently moved to lead the Central Maintenance organization.  I’m interested in talking with students about what makes employers attractive to them, how they envision using language skills in the workplace, and tools that they use to keep their language skills sharp.

Michelle Bounds, Body Shop Technology Steering & Production Improvement Manager

I currently steer the Body in White technology at Plant Spartanburg, focusing on budget, headcount, and production volume.  I have worked at BMW for 10 years and my career started as a college graduate in the 2 year rotational PACE Program.  I majored in Business and German at Wake Forest University, and then I focused my PACE rotations in the finance departments at Plant Spartanburg while still using my German language skills.  My career has mostly been in Financial Controlling and Long-Range Planning at Plant Spartanburg, but I spent 2 years working in Controlling for future models at the BMW Headquarters in Munich.

 

Robert Bosch

Chuck Purry

Craig Lockhar

 

German American Chamber of Commerce Southeast 

Thomas Kislat,  Membership Manager

Thomas is currently the Membership Manager with the German American Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Thomas is from Germany. In this role he promotes commerce between Germany and the US. GACC South distinguished itself as an innovative and relevant service provider as well as a reliable partner in German-American business inquiries. Comprised of a highly qualified team of professionals, he supports companies by facilitating the following: market entry & business development, legal services, intern visas, recruitment, and startup guidance. He is engaging with existing members to learn about their operations, trends, issues and local business climate, to better tailor benefits of a GACC membership. He and his American wife have lived in Rome, GA since 2013 having chosen that small city when they returned from nine years living in Germany. Thomas graduated from the University of Leipzig in 2000 with a BS in American Studies. Fortune 500 Brunswick Corporation hired him and immediately sent him to Atlanta as Marketing & Sales Manager-USA for the Bowling and Billiards Division. During his four years in that position, he met and married his wife who announced that she wanted to be a fully “bi-cultural/binational” wife who wanted to live in Germany for a few years. (You can’t make this stuff up.) The newlyweds moved to Germany where Thomas worked for two well-known German enterprises. Previously, in his role at the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce as the director for Membership and Entrepreneurial Development he has successfully increased their membership by over 20% from 900 members to over 1100 members within 18 months. With his fiercely competitive approach, he handled complex situations from both a strategic and a tactical perspective. Thomas’ expertise in Marketing and vision for new opportunities led him to establish Forum on Ice as a highly effective economic generator for downtown in Rome, GA as it became a flagship holiday event-destination for Northwest GA. Before moving over to the Rome-Floyd County Chamber, Thomas spend four years with the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau as the Marketing Director of the Forum River Center in Rome. His work in the past five years has brought him to Metro Atlanta frequently where he has deep connections with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Georgia Chamber, the Department of Economic Development, and the legislature, as well as several binational chambers and members of the diplomatic corps. Thomas is bilingual in German and English and has conversational knowledge in Russian, French and Spanish.

 

DRÄXLMAIER Group, www.draexlmaier.us

Ralph Schwarz,  Head of Corporate Communications

As head of Corporate Communications Americas, I oversee all aspects of internal and external communications for DRÄXLMAIER in Mexico, Nicaragua and the USA. A former intern with the company, I joined DRÄXLMAIER as communications specialist in 2006. I also worked four years as reporter/editor for Niagara Frontier Publications in Grand Island, N.Y. Born and raised in Germany, I transferred to the U.S. as a college student. I have a master’s degree in Print Journalism and bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Journalism/Mass Communication. At the roundtables, I would like to showcase the DRÄXLMAIER Group and provide insights how internships can help landing a full-time position after graduation.

Estefania Cano.  Corporate Communications Media Specialist U.S.

As Corporate Communications media specialist for DRÄXLMAIER in the U.S., I am responsible for developing digital content plans, strategies and campaigns on various online platforms. Before joining DRÄXLMAIER as an intern in January 2021, I worked as a marketing strategy intern for the University of Pec, Hungary, and advertising data analyst intern for La Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid, Spain. I was born in Puebla, Mexico, but moved to Greenville, S.C., in 2005. I have a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Multi-Media Communications. At the roundtables, I will share career advice, top-industry trends in the digital space, and the art behind creating premium interiors for luxury vehicles.

 

Haering Precision USA LP; www.haering.com

Nikki Bailey, Human Resources Manager

Nikki attended Anderson University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. A few years after receiving her Bachelor’s degree, Nikki found that she enjoyed the business and administration pathway, forgoing her original plan of pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Nikki worked in Healthcare for over 10 years prior to joining the team at Haering Precision, managing both the central office and the medical billing office for a large physical therapy group. Transitioning from the healthcare field, Nikki did not have manufacturing experience prior to joining the team at Haering, but has been pleasantly surprised at the stereotypes that she has seen broken at Haering.  Nikki began as the HR Generalist at Haering Precision in Lavonia, GA in May 2021 and is overseeing the functions for the HR department, Housekeeping, Reception, and housing for international associates.  Nikki is currently pursuing her SHRM-CP certification for the HR Management role in Lavonia.

Nathan Lindler, Production Manager

Nathan attended both Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University to study Mechanical Engineering. While attending classes, he met a representative from Haering Precision who presented an opportunity for a dual study and training program in Germany. Nathan was amongst the first group of trainees from the US who went to Germany for this program. In addition to becoming fluent in German, Nathan developed his managerial skillset and knowledge while gaining a multitude of connections from all over the world during the three-year program. Due to the vast technical experience he obtained, Nathan was able to fast-track his career to become the Production Manager for Haering Precision USA less than four years after completion of the program. He oversees all technical operations for this location and maintains collaborative relationships with the Haering locations in Germany, Poland, China and Tunisia.

 

Magna, Cosma International

Dennis Creekmore, Sr. Human Resources Manager

David Meier

 

Michelin North America

Monica Johnson, Talent Acquisition Director

 

Rolls Royce Solutions, America www.mtu-solutions.com

Heinz Oblaender, Director Purchasing

In my current role, I am responsible for leading the Purchasing and the Supplier Quality team of 50 + people incl. Sr. Managers, Managers and Buyers. I have been with the company since 2007 (2007-2009 Friedrichshafen, Germany, 2009-2010 Detroit, MI, since 2011 Aiken/Graniteville, SC). My professional background prior to Rolls-Royce Power Systems is five years with Xcellsis a Daimler/Ford joint venture at the time where I worked as Senior Manager Purchasing with emphasis on fuel-cell development projects. Prior to that I worked for MAFI-Transport Systems in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany which produces Roll-on Roll-off trucks. I studied Agricultural Engineering at University Hohenheim, Germany with concentration on the technical aspects such as gear boxes, diesel engines, harvesters, tractors. Furthermore, I completed a business administration degree (Technischer Betriebswirt) at the Fachhochschule Wuerzburg, Germany. Topics I would like to discuss during the roundtable session include what kind of exciting opportunities we are offering and what your ideas of an exciting workplace are.

Bryan Rehnlund, Sr. Manager, Strategic Purchasing

In my current role, I am responsible for a team of managers, buyers, and one tooling engineer which perform and support procurement of systems, services, and both direct and indirect materials for operations, aftersales, and field service in the US. I have been with the company full-time since 2010 (2007-2010 as a student worker and contractor). My professional background prior to strategic purchasing consists of materials management, physical logistics, inventory control, warehousing, supervision in operations, lean manufacturing, and leadership roles. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with concentration in Management from the University of South Carolina, Aiken while working at Rolls-Royce Solutions America.

Topics I would like to discuss during the roundtable session include opportunities in the manufacturingindustry, current supply chain obstacles, learning on the job compared to the classroom, and the benefits of diversification.

 

SEW Eurodrive

Rainer Neufeld

 

TRS Staffing (Fluor Corporation)  https://www.trsstaffing.com/en-us

Lauren Guthre, Technical Recruiter

I work within the manufacturing and construction industries to find top-tier engineering candidates fill high-level roles across the country. Being a part of Fluor Corporation, TRS Staffing has extensive connections throughout the world to help companies find the best talent and help jobseekers find their perfect position! Being a graduate from Clemson’s German and Japanese Language departments, I have had the opportunity to utilize my degree to help students and graduates enter the workforce and begin the pathway to their dream job. I would love the opportunity to talk with students about what they’re looking for after graduation, and discuss how to navigate today’s job market.

Lindsey Carney.   North American Training & Development Manager

TRS Staffing Solutions is a subsidiary of Fluor Corporation, specializing in the placement of Engineers, Designers, Project Managers, and other technical professionals around the globe. Clients worldwide depend on our capabilities and expertise in providing personnel, payroll services, and vendor management support.

 

Upstate International

Tracie Frese, Executive Director

What drives a person’s curiosity towards places of the world? For Tracie it was her parents’ old movies of the Taj Mahal and pictures of Europe. Directing UI gives Tracie the chance to channel that childhood wonder and help the community engage in cultures and opportunities they may not otherwise experience. Previously the Director of the Columbia World Affairs Council, Special Assistant to the South Carolina Secretary of State for Special Projects and the Public Charities Division, Tracie brings nonprofit leadership, as well as a drive to advocate for global awareness, to the Upstate.

Education: BS in Construction Science and Business Management, Clemson University

Professional:

• US Global Leadership Coalition SC Advisory Committee
• Global Competitiveness Council Member
• Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Fellow
• Past National Board of Directors, World Affairs Councils of America
• Past Board Member of South Carolina Association of Non-Profit Organizations

Round Table Discussion Topic possibilities:

• Global Impact Issues and grass roots education—removing the political bias
• International investment impact in the lives of Upstate residents and our local economies
• Who is the “other”? Diversity from below the surface
• Cultural engagement and global education in underserved communities
• Upskilling your resume with foreign language skills and cross cultural training
• Hospitality—moving from sweet tea and invitations to church to a deeper connection
• Re-thinking non-profit models for impact and sustainability

 

Wetzel Services (wetzelservices.com)

Lish Simpson,  Language Manager

I’m the Language Manager at Wetzel Languages. My educational training is in English Education, English Literature, and Applied Linguistics. Professionally, I’ve been involved in various educational roles for Teaching English as a Second Language, including starting an English teaching organization in China and being a classroom teacher to adult refugees in New York. The services that Wetzel Languages offers are vital. We recognize that successful cross-cultural social and business relationships require training, so our goal is to partner with the expat community to provide professional cross-cultural and linguistic training in English, German, and Spanish.

Lauren Schmidt, German language program coordinator

 

ZF North America      ZF in USA / Canada – Home – ZF

Christopher (Chris ) Ludwig,  Head of Materials Management North America – Division Electrified Powertrain Technology  Chris Ludwig, leads the regional functions of Program Purchasing, Supply Chain Management and Supplier Development through the transformation to eMobility. He has been serving in various regional and global ZF Purchasing functions since 2014. Prior to joining ZF he worked at Robert Bosch where he started his career in 2004. Chris holds a Masters of Business Administration from Clemson University (’03), a Masters in International Business from the University of Applied Science Mainz, Germany (’02) and a B.S. in Business Administration from Lander University (’01).

Discussion focus:

• Language in Business – how to generate a competitive edge
• Supply Chain in a VUCA world
• Open for any questions
• Internship opportunities.

 

On September 21st, the LIH Society and several Clemson organizations collaborated to host the 2022
Commission on Latino Affairs Symposium. Dr. Maria Elena Botazzi of Baylor College of Medicine
presented about her work creating vaccines for Neglected Tropical Diseases to a crowd of students,
faculty, and community members. Following Dr. Botazzi’s presentation, a panel of community health
leaders shared the successes and challenges they have experienced while promoting health in Latinx
families and communities during the pandemic. The Symposium concluded with a poster session covering
a wide range of topics led by Clemson student and faculty researchers. Thank you to everyone who made
the event a great success! For those who were unable to attend, please take advantage of the recordings of
Dr. Botazzi’s presentation and the panel session included below.

Dr. Botazzi’s Presentation                             Community Health Panel Session

Photos:

     

The Language and International Health Program of Department of Languages is hosting a Commission on Latino Affairs Symposium on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, in Watt Family Innovation Center.

 

The Commission on Latino Affairs and Commission on the Black Experience recently held the inaugural Black & Latinx Faculty Writing Retreat, which took place May 18^th – 20^th at the Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville, NC.

The three-day retreat, which brought together eighteen faculty participants, was co-organized by Harrison Pinckney, Assistant Professor of PRTM (Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management) and Arelis Moore de Peralta, Associate Professor of Community Health (Languages) and chair of the faculty empowerment for the Commission on Latino Affairs, with the goal of creating a productive, collaborative writing environment where Black and Latinx faculty could share ideas, support one another in the writing process, and participate in three days of focused writing. In addition to allotted focused writing time, the retreat provided opportunities for attendees to share their writing progress and challenges in Quality Review Circles, receive constructive criticism and culturally and contextually relevant feedback from peers, participate in a discussion with representatives from the Provost Office, and attend a panel on effective grant writing.

Along with providing a supportive space for making tangible progress on writing projects, the retreat allowed faculty participants to build a community with a truly unique and encouraging aim. Through events such as a barbeque, games centered on African American culture, and other social gatherings, participants were able to make valuable connections with colleagues which will continue to enhance and enrich their Clemson faculty experience through a new sense of community.

This distinctive and impressive new event is an exciting example of how Clemson University can support growth and community for Black and Latinx faculty while increasing productivity and fostering an encouraging and supportive community. We are thrilled to share these experiences and look forward to future events.

For more information on the Clemson University Commision on Latino Affairs and the Commission on the Black Experience, please see the commissions’ profiles on Clemson University’s Commissions page.

Department of Languages senior Natalie Ann Claypool received the Norris Medal at the University’s Spring Awards Ceremony on May 9, 2022.

The Norris Medal, which is awarded to the best overall student as determined by the University Scholarships and Awards Committee, is considered the most prestigious award for graduating Clemson seniors. Recipients of the award have demonstrated outstanding and exceptional leadership, academic, and personal qualities as the top scholar in their graduating class.

Natalie is a Language and International Health major with a concentration in Spanish. Her studies have also included four Creative Inquiry projects across different disciplines, which have allowed her to pursue ambitious research projects in sexual health, child development, public health, and education inequality. Some of her work has been published in academic journals, including a piece co-authored with Associate Professor of Spanish and Community Health Arelis Moore de Peralta which explores the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Latinx children.

Natalie’s studies and research projects have led to an interest in combatting education inequality in the local community. Natalie combined her passion for education and community service by co-founding the Youth Scholars Program at Pendleton Elementary School with interim associate dean of undergraduate and graduate studies Mathew LeMahieu, The Youth Scholars Program seeks to motivate and inspire young students about their educational futures. Natalie’s outstanding commitment to service and betterment of the community, in particular for vulnerable children, will continue after graduation. She will be completing a year-long fellowship at Casa de Esperanza in Houston, where she will work with abused, neglected and HIV-positive children.

Natalie plans to graduate in August after completing her final undergraduate semester studying abroad at Universidad Blas Pascal in Córdoba, Argentina.

The Department of Languages congratulates this exceptional and inspirational scholar as her journey continues.

 

For more information about Natalie and her incredible achievements, please see the Clemson News release.

In April, Assistant Professor of ASL Jody Cripps and seven ASL students traveled to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to initiate a Community Outreach program as part of their Creative Inquiry course. This CI project will aid in reviving Martha’s Vineyard as the signed language community it once was.

A Signed Language History in the Community

Martha’s Vineyard, an island of just over 17,000 residents off the coast of Cape Cod, has a rich history in signed language that goes back centuries. As home to one of the earliest deaf communities, a regional signed language, known as Martha’s Vineyard Signed Language (MVSL), flourished in the community until the mid-20^th century and was used both by the large number of signing deaf individuals residing on the island and by hearing members of the community.

In recent years, the number of signers on the island has declined, which has not only heralded the waning of a rich tradition, but also impacted the deaf community and signing residents of the island. Martha’s Vineyard used to have a wide population of signing individuals, and this made local shops and businesses more accessible. However, many businesses and community members have been unfamiliar with signed languages in recent years. This makes it very difficult for deaf and signing individuals’ full access to the community.

Reviving a Tradition and a Plan to Spread Knowledge

In Martha’s Vineyard, cultural institutions and community members, such as the Martha’s Vineyard Signs Then & Now, a project under a public access MVTV station, are actively working to bring signed language back to the island. These efforts span educating the community and visitors on the island’s rich history and traditions through museum outreach and educational programs, as well as current programs to increase the use and reach of signed language in the community.

These efforts are an opportunity for the residents of the community to begin bridging the various communication gaps and enable them to extend a welcoming atmosphere to the many deaf and ASL signing people who visit or reside in Martha’s Vineyard. With the collaboration from the community partners (e.g., MV Signs Then & Now, MVTV station, town libraries, and the Chamber of Commerce), the community has the opportunity to create a model that promotes a society with a signed language-friendly environment.

Knowledge of signed language can bring together the community, and there are many ways to promote the growth and use of signed language in everyday settings for both hearing and signing community members. Residents can be encouraged to use signed language in daily life with their signing family members and friends and those with voice and developmental challenges; in loud restaurants and sports events; in quiet and private situations; and, importantly, with business people, caregivers, medical professionals, first responders and residents in order to bridge the communication gap with their Deaf and ASL signing visitors, patrons and patients to make the island a signed language-friendly environment for everyone.

What Future Research Holds

These promising efforts will be spearheaded by researchers from various institutions, including the projects of our own ASL program. These projects aim to supply the Martha’s Vineyard community with a variety of resources to educate and spread the word about signed language and how its use can positively impact the community.

The researchers will work with the entire community on the island to target what the residents need and want to see from our projects. The projects will be executed in an educational and informative fashion. There will be multiple signed language seminars or webinars that the researchers will host, and the participants can be anyone from the community, but especially ones from local businesses.

Furthermore, the seminars and webinars will not be the only resources. The goal is to create a variety of resources that everyone will have access to that they can use at their leisure. These resources will come in many different forms depending on the available platforms we can reach on the island. Outreach is significant, and our projects will also be advertised to spread the word about the efforts that are being made to make Martha’s Vineyard a signed language community again. Spreading the knowledge of signed languages is vital in order to preserve the history of this island and community.

 

Here is an exciting look at some of what our ASL students and Dr. Cripps experienced during their trip:

All photos courtesy of Jody Cripps.

 

Further information on some of the historical and cultural institutions visited by Dr. Cripps and his students:

Martha’s Vineyard Museum – some artifacts related to Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language can be found in the museum. A portrait of Joseph “Josie” West, a deaf farmer, is on the permanent display, as well as Alexander Graham Bell’s notebook on his investigations for deaf people on the island in the 1880s.

Chilmark Library – The town purchased the house of Katie West, the last deaf descendant with deaf genes and a native of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language, and turned it into the library in 1956. This library maintains the Chilmark Deaf/Signed Language Community Digital Archive.