American Sign Language Club hosts Spring Seminar
The American Sign Language Club hosted its annual Spring Seminar in the Student Academic Success Center in April. This year’s seminar featured five interpreters of the Deaf (all from South Carolina) fielding questions from the audience regarding the interpreting profession, Deaf Culture, and personal experiences. The interpreters included Glendia Boon of Columbia, Callie Marsh of Piedmont, Phoena Kelly of Columbia, Nancy Dunn of Greenville, and Susie Spainhour of Belton. According to the speakers, there is tremendous demand for interpreters, and opportunities are available once an individual is trained and certified.
Creative Inquiry students present research
Language and International Health majors Maggie Boyd, Lisa Dueñas, Rebecca McConnell and Meg O’Sell presented their research on “Health and Business Topics in Film” at the Southeast Coastal Conference on Languages and Literatures at Georgia Southern University, Savannah, Georgia, in March. The research was conducted in a Creative Inquiry class under the direction of Graciela Tissera. The following papers were presented: “Times of War and Alternate Existences in Pan’s Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro” (Maggie Boyd), “The Aura by Fabián Bielinsky: Perceptions of Death in an Elusive Reality” (Lisa Dueñas), “Europe under Fire: The Intricate Worlds of Survival” (Rebecca McConnell), and “Confronting Death, Duty, and Love in Felicitas by Maria Teresa Costantini” (Meg O’Sell). The presentations were made possible through competitive travel grants awarded by the Creative Inquiry Program.
Several students presented their Creative Inquiry research at the Focus on Creative Inquiry Poster Forum at Clemson University in April. Caleb Addis, Lisa Dueñas, Meg O’Sell, Danielle Stephens, José Hernández, Rebecca McConnell, Maggie Boyd, Taylor Rouse, Jennifer Bolta, and Courtney Sipes presented their research on “Health, Business, and Gender Topics in Film,” mentored by Graciela Tissera. Emily Blackshire, Jardin Dogan, Chelsea Frasier, Eandra Hall, Jada Jones, Nigel Jones, Thomas Offerle, Katelyn Ragland, Andrea Rojas, Elizabeth Villegas, Kendyl Williams, and Ainsley Wingard presented their research on “International Health and Hispanic Culture,” mentored by Dolores Martín and Graciela Tissera. Several of this latter group of students traveled to the Dominican Republic during Spring Break 2015 to participate in health-related service learning activities and to conduct research on topics such as domestic violence, postpartum depression, infant and maternal mortality, Kahler’s disease, sexual abuse and cardiovascular health. The research projects in the Dominican Republic were made possible through competitive travel grants awarded by the Creative Inquiry Program.
Language and International Health Program hosts symposiums
The Language and International Health Program organized its sixth and seventh symposiums at Clemson University in September/October 2014 and February 2015. The symposiums focused on international health programs with the following presentations: “Major Issues Affecting Foreign Language Healthcare Interpretation” by Daniel Holcombe, Arizona State University; “International Studies and Internships in Seville, Spain” by Carlos Valencia, Director of CINECU; and “Building Healthy Communities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic” by Arelis Moore, Clemson University.
Students earn awards at spring ceremony
The following students received Department of Languages awards at the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities Awards Ceremony in April.
Sierra Axtell – Jordan A. Dean, Sr. Annual Award in French Studies
Brittany Bentz – John Bednar Award of Excellence in French and International Trade
Kristin Buhrow – Clemson Chinese Laoshi Award for Best Achievement
Turner Cotterman – Draexlmaier Language Award for Excellence in German
Nicole Cyr – Draexlmaier Language Award for Excellence in German
Courtney Dukes – Gallaudet/Clerc Award for Excellence in American Sign Language
Tory Garland – Clemson Chinese Laoshi Award for Best Beginner
Maria Hawkins – JAASC Award in Excellence in Japanese
Chris Henry – Clemson University German Club Award
Benjamin Leder – Language and International Trade Award for Excellence in Japanese
August McRaney Lehnert – Coccia Foundation Annual Award (Italian)
Meg O’Sell – Language and International Health Award of Excellence in Research, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish & Portuguese Award, and the Blue Key Academic and Leadership Award.
Olivia Meers – Language and International Health Award of Excellence
Lawrence Reed – William Stokoe Award (American Sign Language)
Anna Williams – Language and International Health Academic Honor Award
Aurelia Wurzel – American Association of Teachers of French Award
