When Jonathan Montalvo moved to Indiana from Lares, Puerto Rico, at the age of 15, he knew very little English. After many years practicing, he became fluent and went on to earn his undergraduate degree in Spanish Studies at Purdue University. It was then he realized his calling to become a professor and educate students on Spanish language and Caribbean…
With the new year comes the deluge of resolutions. This ritual of new beginnings affords us an opportunity to begin anew, for, as the ancient proverb reminds us, “well begun is half done” (Aristotle, Politics, 1303b30).
The College of Arts & Letters Community Partner Award (Faculty) recognizes a CAL faculty member’s community contributions at the local, state, national and/or global/world levels. It recognizes participation, student mentorship and overall leadership, as well as significant involvement as reflected in one or more community engagement activities. This award is linked to the spirit of Bolder by Design to “enrich community,…
Walking the Great Wall of China or exploring the Parthenon without leaving the classroom may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, however, this futuristic concept is a present-day reality thanks to virtual reality programs. Experience Architecture majors senior Tommy Truong and junior Eric Martin are researching how to utilize virtual reality to enhance the pedagogy of the humanities…
A collaborative class among Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Bard College recently explored how art and architecture produce and reveal race, gender and class. Assistant Professor Tessa Paneth-Pollak and her students make up the Michigan State University portion of the collaborative class, "Contested Spaces: Art, Architecture, Politics.” The course, HA491 “Contested Spaces: Art, Architecture, Politics,” offered last…
Philosophy alumna Katherine Galvin is the new Director of Programs for the Big Ten Academic Alliance, effective January 3, 2017. In her new role, Galvin leads a team of professionals in support of programs such as the fiber-optic network linking member campuses; the acclaimed Academic Leadership Program; and large-scale research collaborations in traumatic brain injury and health equity. In addition, she…
After graduating with a major in English and an emphasis on Creative Writing and Film Studies, MSU alumnus Dakota Morgan was unsure what he wanted to do with his degree. He was accepted and attended law school for a year, but then learned about Epic, a healthcare software business located in Madison, Wisconsin. He applied for a position with the…
Three College of Arts & Letters faculty members recently worked together on editing a special issue of English Education journal that focuses on teaching in the wake of racial violence. Published earlier this month and titled From Racial Violence to Racial Justice: Praxis and Implications for English (Teacher) Education, the faculty members who guest-edited the special issue include: April Baker-Bell, Assistant Professor of…
Angelika Kraemer, Executive Associate Director of CeLTA Angelika Kraemer and Theresa Schenker have been appointed by the Executive Council to serve as co-editors of Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German, starting with Volume 50, Issue 1 (Spring 2017). Die Unterrichtspraxis, published twice a year, promotes and supports excellence and innovation in the teaching of German language, literature, and culture in North America at all levels. Theresa…
Surayya Maultsby, a Civil Engineering and Arabic junior, has received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study Arabic language and culture for six months in Amman, Jordan, this spring. Because she’s studying Arabic, Maultsby received a Critical Need Language Award for the maximum amount of $8,000. Surayya Maultsby, a junior civil engineering and Arabic language major, in Morocco Maultsby is one of…