According to a recent media release, Clemson University selected eight students for the 2017 National Scholars Program, the university’s most selective academic merit program.
The eight are an extraordinarily gifted group. Beyond the remarkable academic records they present — an average SAT of more than 1530 and high school class rank in the top 1 percent — these Scholars are a diverse and talented group of researchers, musicians, athletes and community servants.
Two of the incoming National Scholars plan to pursue degrees in the Department of Languages:
Breauna Franklin, South Fayette Township High School, McDonald, Pennsylvania Franklin has been an active member of her varsity swim team and has served as captain for the past two years. She is also involved in Teen Institute, a mentoring program aiming to facilitate healthy discourse with middle school students. The past few summers, she has interned for the Opportunity Education Foundation creating an app to be distributed in pilot schools around the globe as well as the HerLead Conference. She has participated in a study-abroad program in Chile and the Frank Bolden Urban Journalism Workshop, a journalism course that has enabled her to publish articles on a variety of issues in the Pittsburgh area. Franklin is the daughter of Tammy and Norman Franklin and is planning to study Language and International Health with a concentration in Spanish.
Jacob Sargent, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville Sargent served as Student Council president during his senior year at the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics. He was the recipient of the Gold Award on the National German Exam and studied German language in Kulmbach, Germany, between his sophomore and junior years. He researched computer science for six weeks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, at the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering. Additionally, he played varsity soccer as a goalkeeper and defender throughout high school. Sargent is the son of Thomas Sargent and Heather Sargent and plans to pursue a Language and International Trade major with a German concentration, along with a minor in another foreign language.
The following Department of Languages students were honored at the 2016-2017 College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities (CAAH) Honors and Awards Ceremony on April 7 in the Brooks Center Theatre. Congratulations!
Linda Wilson – Gallaudet/Clerc Award for Excellence in American Sign Language
The award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding expressive and receptive skills in American Sign Language, understanding and appreciation of deaf culture, and has promoted the awareness of American Sign Language both on and off campus.
Award winner Hilda Chan (center) with CAAH Dean Richard Goodstein (left) and Chair of the Department of Languages Salvador Oropesa (right). Photo courtesy of Clemson University.
CHINESE
David Kwietniewski (beginner) & Hilda Chan (achievement) – Clemson Chinese Laoshi Awards
Two students from the Chinese language program receive prizes in the amounts of $100 (Best Beginner in Chinese Language Study) and $200 (Best Achievement in the Chinese Program).
Olivia Haddad & Donald McKinnon Reece – Pacific Gateway Award for Excellence in Chinese
The Pacific Gateway Capital LLC contributes an annual award of merit with a cash prize to a junior or senior for outstanding achievement in the study of the Chinese language.
FRENCH
Joseph Willis – American Association of Teachers French Award
The French faculty of the Department of Languages annually awards a medal from the American Association of the Teachers of French and a certificate of merit in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of French language and literature.
Award winner Joseph Willis (center) with CAAH Dean Richard Goodstein (left) and Chair of the Department of Languages Salvador Oropesa (right). Photo courtesy of Clemson University.
Danielle Ayer – Jordan Dean Award in French
This award is given to a student in French studies for outstanding academic achievement.
GERMAN
Melissa Manning – Clemson University German Club Award
The German Club presents a certificate to recognize outstanding contributions to the extra-curricular cultural programs in German at Clemson.
Sarah Waldvogel – Draexlmaier Language Award
Funded by DAA Draexlmaier Automotive of America (Duncan, SC), this cash award recognizes a multi-faceted student who has attained exceptional language proficiency in German.
ITALIAN
Sarah Marshall – Coccia Foundation Annual Award
The Italian faculty annually presents this cash award to an Italian major in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of Italian language and literature.
SPANISH
Nicholas M. West – American Association of Teachers Spanish & Portuguese Award
The Spanish faculty presents a medal from the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and a certificate to recognize outstanding achievement in the study of Spanish language and literature.
Award winner Michelle Fuentes (center) with CAAH Dean Richard Goodstein (left) and Chair of the Department of Languages Salvador Oropesa (right). Photo courtesy of Clemson University.
LANGUAGE AND INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
Rebecca Lynn McConnell – Language and International Health Academic Honor Award
The Language and International Health Society gives this award to a Language and International Health major who demonstrates ability to perform, achieve, and excel in scholastic activities.
Emily W. Blackshire – Language and International Health Award of Excellence
The award is given to a senior Language and International Health major for outstanding academic achievements, professional conduct, and unconditional service to multicultural communities.
Elouise Giroux Cram & Michelle Fuentes – Language and International Health Award of Excellence in Research
The award is given to a Language and International Health major for outstanding academic research on international health topics.
LANGUAGE AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Caroline Rubino – The John Bednar Award of Excellence in French and International Trade
The Language and International Trade – French faculty annually awards a Language and International Trade – French student in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of French and international trade.
Caroline Winbleton – Dr. Wannamaker Languages & International Trade Annual Award of Excellence
The purpose of the fund is to honor an outstanding senior majoring in Language and International Trade who has the highest overall GPA. In case of a tie, the selection is based on meritorious service to the department.
The College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities inducted 17 founding members of a new Hall of Fame celebrating alumni, faculty and friends who have made a significant impact upon the educational, research and/or service goals of the college. The induction ceremony was held March 31 at the Madren Conference Center, with 14 of the new members present.
“It was an extraordinary opportunity having so much talent, so much achievement and so much commitment in one room,” said Richard Goodstein, dean of the college. “Each member of this inaugural class will continue to serve as a beacon for all who come afterward. Each and every one will be a very tough act to follow.”
Drs. Ralph Rynes and Patricia (Pat) Wannamaker became the first representatives of the Department of Languages honored at this inaugural ceremony.
CAAH Hall of Fame inductee Ralph Rynes. Photo courtesy of Ralph Rynes.
Prior to his retirement, Dr. Ralph Rynes was a board-certified physician with over 30 years’ experience in treating the neurological aspects of Infectious Diseases. He worked primarily with individuals living with HIV and co-occurring mental health or substance use disorders. He earned a B.A. at Clemson University and an M.A. at the Universität Hamburg in Germany before completing his Doctoral degrees (MD and Ph.D.) at l’Université Denis Diderot. Dr. Rynes completed clinical and research residencies in Neurology and Neuroscience at l’Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris, France, followed by post-doctoral research in Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He specialized in Prion diseases and in the treatment of HIV and Hepatitis C as well as the neurobiology of substance use disorders, practicing at the Immunology Center of the USC School of Medicine, the largest infectious diseases clinic in South Carolina.
Additionally, Dr. Rynes provided cultural sensitivity training to other physicians and support staff on Latino, French-speaking African refugee, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender treatment nuances, in addition to providing HIV/AIDS training and cultural sensitivity training for SC Alcohol and Drug Commissions, SC and other state’s Primary Healthcare Associations, the National Association of Addictions Counselors, the SC Health Information Management Association, SC DHEC and a host of national organizations.
He now volunteers with Doctors Without Borders in a consulting capacity, and continues to work to mitigate the stigma associated with HIV, Hepatitis C, and mental health and substance use disorders in the U.S. and in Western Europe.
Special interests include Prion diseases, the neurochemical pathways of addiction and specialized treatment issues in LGBT and Latino and African refugee populations.
Prior to retirement, he served on numerous national and international Boards, as well as serving on and chairing the Boards of the Columbia Free Medical Clinic and the Columbia Oral Health Clinic.
Of his induction into the Hall of Fame, Dr. Rynes said, “As a senior at Clemson, I had already forged my career path: MS and PhD at Georgetown, where I had already been accepted, followed by a career teaching Foreign Affairs on the university level. But Dr. Margit Sinka, my German professor at the time, changed all that by encouraging me to apply for a Fellowship to study in Germany. I was accepted, beginning a relationship with Europe and Europeans that continues to this day. I cannot imagine what my life would be like had I not had the opportunity and the encouragement to live and study in other countries. My life is so much richer and satisfying than I could ever have imagined, all thanks to a very intuitive and highly motivated Clemson professor.”
Professor emeritus Pat Wannamaker (center) is inducted at the CAAH Hall of Fame Ceremony. Presenting her with the award are CAAH Dean Richard Goodstein (left) and Chair of the Department of Languages Salvador Oropesa (right). Photo courtesy of Clemson University.
Dr. Patricia W. Wannamaker received both her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She taught English and German for nine years in secondary schools in the state before finishing her Ph.D. in German and linguistics at Louisiana State University in 1964.
Dr. Wannamaker finished a twenty-five year teaching career at Clemson as founding Director of the Language and International Trade (L&IT) baccalaureate degree program under the funding of the Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE).
During Dr. Wannamaker’s time at Clemson, the undergraduate business curricula was generally restricted to 12 hours or fewer of electives that could be used in language study. Dr. Wannamaker knew a Liberal Arts B.A. was the answer!
Studies show that liberal arts grads are well prepared to succeed in business. She envisioned a Clemson L&IT degree that would combine humanistic and technical learning to develop cultural sensitivity as a marketing tool in global business.
She formed partnerships with supporting agencies and multinational firms were also a vital part of the success of L&IT, including the S.C. State Development Board, the S.C. Ports Authority, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the many upstate multinational firms and their parent companies around the world.
Dr. Wannamaker also invested a lot of time and effort in recruiting high school students for visits to Clemson’s campus, and more specifically to provide information to the potential future Language and
International Trade majors.
Since its inception, the L&IT program has graduated more than 1,000 undergraduate students.
Of her induction, Dr. Wannamaker said, “Thank you so much for this great honor you all have bestowed upon me. The Language and International Trade baccalaureate program has exceeded my highest expectation as founding director. Congratulations to all of you for the continuing success of every aspect of the program, including the annual L&IT trade conference which supports the all-important networking aspect of L&IT.”
Keynote speaker Lee Gill talks about the business case for diversity. Photo courtesy of Clemson University.
2017 marked the 10th anniversary of the Department of Languages‘s annual Language and International Trade (L&IT) Conference, held March 8 in the Hendrix Student Center ballrooms. The theme of this year’s conference was inclusiveness in the business world. The conference featured a keynote speech about the business case for diversity by Lee Gill, Clemson’s Chief Diversity Officer, who discussed how diversity and inclusion benefit businesses and how they can also make the Clemson community stronger and more competitive. Clemson students moderated a panel with L&IT alumni who are now working at international companies. The graduates discussed their studies at Clemson and their current work in the industry.
Students participate in roundtable discussions with local business leaders. Photo courtesy of Clemson University.
The conference gave current language students a chance to see how their studies might translate to a future career. Spanish student Bailey Taylor attended a panel discussion with local business leaders on inclusiveness, cross-cultures, and opportunities in a globalized world. “I found the session to be very thought provoking,” she said, “and it interested me in possibly minoring in Spanish.”
Conference presenters and organizers pose for a photo. Photo courtesy of Clemson University.
L&IT French student Anna Caroline Bridgeman helped organize the conference. “I really enjoyed listening to people in the international business group talk about their work experiences,” she said. “Mr. Gill’s presentation on the business case for inclusiveness was very inspiring. It was also rewarding to hear Clemson alumni talk about their job experience after graduating from Clemson. It was a great experience learning about the different job opportunities that exist for Clemson students in L&IT.”
Clemson ranks 16th in the nation in the number of African American undergraduate students earning a foreign language degree in 2016, according to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Clemson ranked 19th in 2015 and 35th in 2013. Since 2010, the magazine has published rankings of the top 100 institutions that confer the most degrees to minority students. The data are based on institutional reports collected by the U.S. Department of Education.
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!
(from left) Prof. Toshiko Kishimoto, Chinese Laoshi Award recipients Rebekah Jackson and Austin Kunzler, Japanese Award recipient Jessica Tang, and Prof. Yanhua Zhang at the awards ceremony.
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
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.
Graduating L&IT senior Laura Hilty. Photo courtesy of Laura Hilty.
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.
Laura and friends in Granada, Spain. Photo courtesy of Laura Hilty.
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.
Laura in Chefchaouen, Morocco, during one of her trips while studying abroad. Photo courtesy of Laura Hilty.
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.
Britt Beemer gives the keynote speech at the 2016 L&IT Conference.
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.
Clemson alumni discuss their experiences at the 2016 L&IT Conference.
The first time I ventured across the Atlantic was to study abroad in the coastal community of Alicante, Spain, during the spring semester of my sophomore year. As a Language and International Trade Spanish major, I wanted to be as immersed in the Spanish language and culture as possible. Fortunately, Clemson had a direct exchange program with La Universidad de Alicante, which allowed me to enroll in courses taught entirely in Spanish with native-speaking students. I was even able to take French courses taught in Spanish to earn credit toward my French minor.
I received a grant to do an internship abroad through the Honors College; so I went to Paris the summer after my junior year to intern at the U.S. Embassy. I spoke in French full-time for three months and was tasked with photographing and archiving all of the antique furniture owned by the US government in Paris. I even had the chance to meet President Obama, while he was visiting the Embassy.
The exposure to Europe during my undergraduate studies inspired my choice to attend the Grenoble Graduate School of Business at their satellite London campus. Being the only American student in the International Business program gave me an academic experience I will never forget; it also piqued my interest in finance.
Following graduate school, I moved to New York City to pursue a career in the financial industry. I currently work in investor relations at a credit asset management firm, Golub Capital. The opportunities, encouragement, and support that I was given by the Language and International Trade program, and especially Professor Touya, put me on track to the career I have always wanted.
