The Department of Languages learned with sadness of the passing of Professor Ed Arnold. Please see this message from Lecturer of German, Lee Ferrell.
“It is with sadness that I learned only recently of the passing of our former colleague Prof. Ed Arnold on January 3, 2024 after a years-long battle with dementia. Ed taught German at Clemson University from 1968 until 2000.
In the summer after I was hired to teach at Clemson in 2003, Ed invited me for lunch to talk to me about the university and to welcome me to the German program. This began a tradition for us both of meeting once per semester to have breakfast and chat about our lives. Ed frequently would talk about his former students, the trips he had arranged for them in the former East Germany and about his work with Habitat for Humanity and Clemson Community Cares. He remained active in the community until declining health made it impossible.
In addition to his community work, Ed regularly translated documents from German to English including the book Blues and Trouble by Lutheran Pastor and activist Theo Lehmann.
Ed was a man of faith but more impressive to me was his humility. He was very sincere and also very accepting of other people and grateful for the students he had taught throughout his career. One of his students, Chris Broome (LAIB ’96), recalls his first semester in German “I didn’t do great in that course, but Ed told me to ‘keep on keepin’ on. It will click eventually.’” Today Chris uses the German language daily in his work at BMW. In addition to class, Chris had participated in one of Ed’s trips to Germany. Ed also helped Chris find an internship in Switzerland in 1994.
Chris fondly recalls how Ed regularly stayed in touch long after he graduated. “He would always reach out after that, sending messages or inviting me out for a meal.”
Ed had a lasting impact on the lives of his students, was a beating heart in his community, and will be remembered by all whose lives were touched by him.”
The Department thanks Professor Ferrell for the heartfelt words about a valuable member of the Department of Languages and the Clemson community.
As we come to the end of another exciting semester, the Department of Languages is excited to share some of the highlights from the Department in Fall 2024.
Inaugural Semester of “Passport” Living and Learning Community
The new student Living and Learning Community (LLC), Passport, has completed the first semester of its inaugural year. Clemson’s Living and Learning Communities give students a way of navigating college life with a cohort of peers with shared interests and goals. An idea spearheaded by Faculty Sponsor and Principal Lecturer Ellory Schmucker (Languages), the Passport LLC brings together first-year students who share an interest in languages to live, learn, and grow together in a diverse, engaging residential community.
This semester, Passport, which is housed in Gressette residence hall, hosted 16 students from an array of diverse backgrounds and academic concentrations with the aim of creating a multilingual residential space for students to immerse themselves in languages and cultures from around the world. Their common interest in languages coupled with their diverse backgrounds and academic interests enable them to experience a supportive and active community eager to learn from and with one another.
Gressette, Cribb, and DesChamps residence halls. Passport LLC is housed in Gressette Hall. Photo Courtesy of Clemson University.
Department of Languages Hosts 51st Annual Poetry Declamation Contest
The Department of Languages hosted the 51st Annual Poetry Declamation Contest on October 27, 2024.
Begun in 1971, the annual Declamation Contest brings together high school students from schools across South Carolina and Georgia to compete in a poetry recitation in their languages of study. This year, contests were held in eight languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Students of all levels may take part in the contest, ranging from absolute beginner to native speaker. This year, over 360 students and 26 schools participated in the event.
During the contest, students recited two poems from memory in the target language: a mandatory selection and their choice of a second selection. They were judged by a panel of judges comprised of Department of Languages faculty and guest judges from the community. After the contest, students, teachers, and parents attended an awards ceremony in Daniel Hall during which Dean Vazsonyi and the members of the Declamation committee presented contests winners with their respective medals.
The Declamation Contest is one of the Department of Languages’ longest standing and most exciting traditions. It continues to be a way to give high school language teachers and students a goal to work toward in their classes, as well as to give students a chance to visit and learn about Clemson University in person by taking a campus tour. The event is made possible by the contributions of current and former faculty, student volunteers, and community judges, as well as the hard work of the Declamation committee: Su-I Chen, Lee Ferrell, Stephanie Morris, Amy Sawyer, Julia Schmidt, and Melva Persico.
Students, parents, and teachers watch the awards ceremony in Daniel Hall after the Declamation Contest.
7th Annual Day of the Dead Celebration Held on Clemson Campus
The Department of Languages once more participated in the 7th Annual Day of the Dead celebration on November 1.
Typically observed on November 1 or 2, the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a celebration of life originating in Mexico and now celebrated throughout Latin America and the United States. It is a time for friends, family, and community to come together to celebrate and honor the lives and memories of departed loved ones.
Clemson’s Day of the Dead event aims to share the joyous Día de los Muertos traditions with the Clemson community and growing Latino communities throughout the upstate.
Day of the Dead celebrations typically include colorful symbols such as marigolds (cempasúchitles), skeletons (calacas), and altars (ofrendas) where family members can honor departed loved ones with photos and offerings of food and drink. Traditional foods include the bread of the dead (pan de muerto) and sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar).
As in previous years, this year’s Day of the Dead event featured traditional food trucks, face painting, a mariachi band, an outdoor screening of the film “Coco,” and an elegant “Catrina”, a skeleton in traditional dress.
An ofrenda displaying mementos of loved ones and several traditional symbols of the Day of the Dead. Photo courtesy of Clemson University.
The Clemson Day of the Dead celebration is organized and sponsored by several departments, organizations, faculty, students, and individuals from across Clemson and the wider Clemson community. The Department of Languages thanks in particular Nora Logue, Arelis Moore, Rosa Pillcurima, Anne Salces y Nedeo, Debra Williamson (Languages) and Jessica Garcia (CAAH) for their invaluable contributions to the event’s organization and success since its inception in 2018.
The purposes of the Language and International Health Society shall include:
Helping students succeed in the L&IH major and prepare for their future through contact with guest speakers, L&IH graduates, study abroad advisors and other campus and community resources;
Serving as a forum where L&IH majors can meet and exchange information, ideas and concerns about internships, study abroad and other aspects related to the major;
Providing opportunities where students can network with other students and professionals, explore career paths, and broaden their knowledge of global health issues and their cultural and linguistic contexts;
Representing the L&IH major to Clemson University.
L&IH Society Officers (2024-2025)
President: Miah Bernard
Hi everyone! My name is Miah Bernard. I am a senior LIH major with a concentration in Spanish, and I will be graduating at the end of this semester. I love traveling and baking, and I spent my semester abroad in Quito, Ecuador. I am so excited to serve as President of the LIH Society for this semester!
Vice President: Yahir Nunez-Leija
Hey guys, my name is Yahir Nunez-Leija. I am currently serving as the Vice President this semester! I am a senior LIH major with a concentration in Spanish. I am going to Physical Therapy school right after graduation, and I went to Córdoba, Argentina for my semester abroad. I love playing sports, reading, and going to the gym.
Treasurer: Cecilia (CiCi) Viera-Atwell
“Hey guys! My name is CiCi and I am serving as this year’s Treasurer! I am a sophomore LIH major with a Spanish concentration and I’m so excited to be traveling abroad to Santiago de Compostela, Spain next year. In my free time I love to go to the gym, watch movies, and spend time with my friends! 🙂
Secretary: Valentina Perez
Hey everyone, I’m Valentina Perez, a sophomore LIH major with a Spanish concentration! I’m so excited to be going abroad to Spain next year to learn about their culture and health system! I enjoy baking, hiking, and playing with my dog!
Social Media Coordinator: Bella Hooker
Hi everyone! I’m Bella Hooker, a Freshman LIH major with a concentration in Spanish! I’m so excited to be serving as the Social Media Coordinator for the LIH Society this year! I am not sure where I am studying abroad yet, but I hope to go to Spain. I love hanging out with friends, going to the lake, and staying active!
Events Coordinator: Henry Soffronoff
Hey guys! I’m Henry Soffronoff a Senior LIH Major with a concentration in Spanish. I studied abroad in Santiago de Compostela, Spain this past year and absolutely loved it. After graduation, I’ll be working as a Medical Assistant and then hopefully heading to PA school! In my free time, I love playing soccer, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Arelis Moore, PhD.
“Hello! I’m Arelis Moore, an associate professor of community health in the Department of Languages. Since 2017, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the LIH Faculty Advisor. It’s truly an honor to work with such a dedicated group of Language and International Health Students. Their commitment to service and leadership inspires me, and I have no doubt they will make a positive impact in the world as they move forward in their careers.”
Clemson student Crayton Rhodes, class of 2025, recently shared his reflections on his recent study abroad experience through Clemson’s “Remembering D-Day: Clemson in London-Paris-Normandy” in Clemson World.
Led by Professor Eric
Touya de Marenne and Col. (Ret.) Lance Young, Clemson Corps Life Emeritus, “Remembering D-Day: Clemson in
London-Paris-Normandy” is a yearly study abroad course which allows students to
fulfill a global challenges requirement by learning about the history, legacy, and
importance of D-Day in a variety of historically significant locations throughout the
United Kingdom and France.
Students revisit the
experiences of American soldiers during World War II and reflect on the meaning
of these experiences through visits to museums, battlefields, memorials, and
cemeteries in France and the United Kingdom. A unique feature of the program is
its face-to-face component, which allows students a personal experience with
history through private guided tours and conversations with eyewitnesses to the
events of D-Day.
As Rhodes reflects in
his post, many students have
the opportunity to connect intimately with their own family histories by reflecting
on family members’ experiences against the real-life backdrop of these events.
To read Crayton Rhodes’s reflection and learn more about his
Study Abroad experience, please visit Clemson World.
Join us for a screening of Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Auditorium of Watt Family Innovation Center. Panel discussion to follow.
The Zone of Interest focuses on the life of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig, who live with their family in a home in the “Zone of Interest” next to the concentration camp. The film won the Best International Film at the 96th Academy Awards and the Grand Prix at Cannes.
On February 14, the Spanish and German programs hosted the Conference for German and Spanish in International Business and Engineering: Investment in Mexico. Faculty members Daniel García, Magdalena Matúskova and Lee Ferrell collaborated together in organizing this event with publicity and social media coordinated by Anna Grace Araiza. Events for the day were moderated and organized by student leaders Gwyneth Terry (LAIB Spanish), Derek Dias (Finance), Emiliano Sanchez (Finance) and Anna Schmidt (Management).
Hosted in collaboration with the Department of Management and the Consulate General of Mexico, the conference brought in numerous German companies from the upstate region to speak with our students about the work they do in both the US Southeast and in Mexico. This unique opportunity allowed students to learn about the presence of German businesses in Mexico and the unique benefits they have on the region.
After opening remarks by Dean Nicholas Vazsonyi and an address by the Deputy Consul General of Mexico, the conference showcased a keynote address by BMW representatives on the benefits of conducting business in Mexico. Also featured was a panel discussion with the North American heads of Röchling Automotive and Dräxlmaier Automotive Groups as well as the Mexican Ambassador to Germany about German business and investment in Mexico. Students and attendees were also afforded the chance to participate in roundtable discussions on German business and investment through a broader regional lens.
Attendees listen to a presentation during the Conference for German and Spanish in International Business and Engineering: Investment in Mexico.
The conference concluded with a mini job fair in which students and attendees could network with representatives from various German companies and learn about internship and introductory-level jobs in their companies.
Students speak with representatives from Röchling following the conference. The mini job fair was an opportunity for students to learn about internships and entry-level jobs in German companies throughout the Upstate region.
Both Madeleine and Rund will be receiving degrees in Language and International Health with a Spanish concentration. Their unique passions and talents have led them both in different and equally impressive directions.
Madeleine Wolfe, Language and International Health ’23 Image courtesy of Clemson University
Madeleine plans to focus her future efforts on combatting the health disparities that arise in rural communities. She has already had a positive and tangible impact on the local community. During her time at Clemson, she earned her EMS certification and has been working as an EMT with the Clemson University Fire Department. Her unique background in cybersecurity as related to healthcare systems combined with her research with Clemson Rural Health no doubt will allow Madeleine to continue making her mark as she heads off to medical school.
Rund Abdelnabi, Language and International Health ’23 Image courtesy of Clemson University
Rund’s approach is more language-driven. Fluent in three languages, Rund seeks to help Arabic and Spanish speakers access and navigate the complexities of the public healthcare system. Her firsthand experience working in a public health center in Argentina while completing her study abroad program gave her valuable experience in forging meaningful patient relationships, and her goal of becoming a physician’s assistant will allow her to integrate her talents, skills, and passion to make a difference in the experiences and lives of patients in the future.
The Department
of Languages heartily congratulates these talented and impressive graduates as
they take the next steps in their healthcare journey!
