Category: Clubs and Society

March 3, 2024

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 (2025-2026)

President: Laura Gorissen

Hey guys! My name is Laura Gorissen, and I am a senior Spanish LIH major with a minor in psychology and life sciences. This is my third year with the LIH Society, and I can’t wait to get to know you all during the semester. I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain last semester and it was the best experience ever. My plan after graduation is to take a gap year and then apply to PA school!

Vice President: Lydia Dorroh

Hi everyone! My name is Lydia Dorroh and I am a senior Language and International Health major with a Spanish concentration. I am graduating in May of 2026. I love trying new coffee shops, going on walks, and playing pickleball. I also just got back from a semester in Sevilla, Spain and had the best time! I’m so excited to have a great semester and serve as your vice president this year! 

Treasurer: Cecilia (CiCi) Viera-Atwell

Hi! My name is CiCi, I’m a junior Language and International Health major studying Spanish. I’m on the pre-PA track and am set to study abroad Spring ‘26 in Santiago de Compostela. Super excited for this upcoming year and can’t wait to develop my Spanish skills!

Secretary: Valentina Perez

Hi everyone, my name is Valentina Perez. I’m a junior majoring in Language and International Health with a concentration in Spanish. This is my second semester serving as secretary, and I’m excited to continue in this role! A little about me: I absolutely love cooking and baking, especially making things from scratch. I’m also a big TV fan, so if you name a show, chances are I’ve watched it! 

Social Media Coordinator: Bella Hooker

Hi everyone! I’m Bella Hooker, a Sophomore 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!

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.”

On Thursday, April 14, the Language and International Health Society is hosting an online event focused on helping undergraduate students gain the proper strategies for publishing their work.

The event will feature a talk by Dr. Jill D. McLeigh, Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Research at the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence at Children’s Health in Dallas, Texas.

What: Writing for Publication

When: Thursday, April 14, 4:30 PM

Where: online (Zoom)

For more information and the Zoom link, please see the event flyer below.

LIH Society- Writing for Publication flyer

The Iota Phi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi

Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society (La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispánica), was established on November 14, 1919, at the University of California Berkeley. The Society’s insignia is the royal seal of Fernando and Isabel, representing Castille, León and Aragón. Sigma Delta Pi’s colors are red and gold, its flower is the red carnation, and its motto is the Greek phrase “Spanías Didagéi Proágomen” meaning “Let’s go forth/continue forth under the teaching/guidance of the Spanish language.”

Faculty Adviser: Prof. Lee Kirven (lkirven@clemson.edu)

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clemsonsdpiotaphi 

Requirements for Membership

The following are the requirements for membership for undergraduates:

• Completion of at least three semesters of college course work.
• Completion of at least 18 semester hours of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, including at least three semester hours of a third-year literature, culture or Spanish for the professions (business, medical) course (i.e. 300-level or higher) at Clemson University.
• A grade average of B or better in all college-level Spanish courses completed.
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or better in all college courses completed.

Clemson’s Iota Phi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, is now accepting applications for membership in preparation for our spring induction ceremony on April 14, 2022 at 5:00pm. The completed electronic application (https://forms.gle/92uK4gF3GkNPMFst5) and supporting materials (electronic copy of your academic transcript downloaded from iROAR) must be submitted to Prof. Lee Kirven (lkirven@clemson.edu) by MIDNIGHT FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022. Applicants will be notified of status by March 31.

The Induction Ceremony, March 2, 2019

The Iota Phi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi hosted the induction ceremony on March 2^nd, 2019, in The Brown Room of Cooper Library. We inducted 6 new members, and had a presentation by one of our students, Angelica Werth, about her experience studying abroad in Córdoba, Argentina. The total new members for the academic year of 2018-2019 was 6.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to everyone who helped make this ceremony possible including: Dr. Oropesa; Dr. Martínez-Armas; our librarian, Ed. Rock and our students: Anna Rhett, Mary Crosby, Ty’Celia, Matthew, Anna and Alex.

Photo credits: Anna Whitfield.

The Induction Ceremony, February 17, 2018

The Iota Phi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi hosted the induction ceremony on February 17, 2018, in Daniel Hall of Clemson University. We inducted 13 new members, including an honorary member Ed Rock, from the library, to honor him for his dedication to Hispanic studies. With one graduating senior initiated in December 2017, the total new members for the academic year of 2017-2018 was 14.

The Theta Phi Chapter of Delta Phi Alpha

Delta Phi Alpha, the National Collegiate Honor Society (Deutsche Ehrenverbindung), was established at Wofford College on February 28, 1928 as the Deutscher Verein. Members of the Wofford group then began contacting German Clubs on other campuses, which subsequently led to the establishment Delta Phi Alpha in May of 1929. Since then, Delta Phi Alpha has sought “to recognize excellence in the study of German and to provide an incentive for higher scholarship. The Society aims to promote the study of the German language, literature and civilization and endeavors to emphasize those aspects of German life and culture which are of universal value and which contribute to humanity’s eternal search for peace and truth.”

Faculty Adviser: Prof. Harris King ( oswaldk@clemson.edu )

The Induction Ceremony, April 19, 2021

The Theta Phi Chapter of Delta Phi Alpha hosted the induction ceremony on April 19, 2021 via Zoom in keeping with safety measures of the ongoing global pandemic. We inducted the new member Anna Kadau, and the ceremony was attended by all German faculty members and two current Delta Phi Alpha members, Houston and Bennett. The ceremony was a welcome diversion from the stress and obligations at the end of the semester. The Theta Phi Alpha chapter plans to have an in-person meeting to celebrate Anna’s induction in the fall.

The Induction Ceremony, December 5, 2019

The Theta Phi Chapter of Delta Phi Alpha hosted the induction ceremony on December 5, 2019, in Daniel Hall of Clemson University. During the ceremony, Rachael Risinger, Bennett Meares, and Houston Everett were inducted, thus reactivating Clemson’s chapter after many years of inactivity.

The ceremony was held during the end of the semester holiday party hosted by the German Club. All students and faculty members present were able to celebrate the occasion with wonderful German food and with the singing of German carols.

The American Sign Language Honor Society recognizes outstanding academic achievement in ASL studies with three honors:

• • Honor Cords
  • Alice Cogswell Medal
  • Laurent Clerc Medal

To receive one or more of the honors, students must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for each, which includes both GPA and community service hours. For any honors to be conferred, a student must attend a campus with an active ASLHS chapter and have a sponsor in good standing of a certification in master level of American Sign Language Teachers Association. For purposes of grade point average computation, eligible ASL coursework includes ASL language, ASL literature, and Deaf studies. Interpretation coursework is not eligible.

Descriptions of honors & eligibility requirements:

	Honor Cords Honor cords may be worn at graduation or induction ceremonies if the student meets these eligibility requirements: Is a student at a high school, senior high school, or other secondary institution; Has studied ASL for at least two years; Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.5/B+ in his/her ASL coursework; Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.2/B in all other subjects; Completion of at least five (5) hours of community service that benefits the Deaf community. Please note: Honor cords are available only to high school/senior high/secondary programs.
	Alice Cogswell Medal The Alice Cogswell Medal may be worn at graduation or induction ceremonies if the student meets these eligibility requirements: Is a student at a community college or 4-year college /university; Has studied ASL for at least two years; Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.5/B+ in his/her ASL coursework; Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.2/B in all other subjects; Completion of at least five (5) hours of community service that benefits the Deaf community.
	Laurent Clerc Medal The Laurent Clerc Medal is the only ASLHS honor open to ASL students at both the high school and college levels if the following eligibility requirements are met: Is a high school or college student; Has studied ASL for at least three years; Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.7/A- in his/her ASL coursework; Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.5/B+ in all other subjects; Completion of at least ten (10) hours of community service that benefits the Deaf community.

Photos of Clemson ASLHS are posted in Clemson ASL Club Facebook group.

Link to ASL Honor Society: http://www.aslhonorsociety.org

Faculty Adviser: Prof. William (Bo) Clements (wrcleme@clemson.edu)