Undergraduate Student News

Undergraduates Outstanding!

Last winter, four Spanish majors were honored as “Outstanding Students of Spanish” by the Indiana Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). Students were nominated by Israel Fernando Herrera, Lecturer in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Students were required to meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.7, as well as take part in clubs or travel courses related to the Spanish language. Herrera said he nominated these students because they demonstrated leadership skills and a passion for the language.

Students honored were:  Shannon Lemajeur, William Northquist, Mary Ann Smart and Christine White.

News and Awards

Shelby Batten was awarded the Rachel Di Pietro-James Scholarship toward her participation in the CIEE-sponsored study abroad program in Argentina.

Kaitlyn Blansett received the Díaz Seíjas Scholarship awarded by the department in support of her academic and career pursuits.

Alexandra Dembar earned a Matrí cula de Honor distinction in one of her courses at the Universitat de Barcelona last spring. A letter from the CIEE announcing this accomplishment states “the distinction of Matrícula de Honor in the Spanish system is a reward coveted by Spanish students, rarely granted by university professors and even less frequently to international students. To receive this distinction, as you have, is particularly remarkable.”

Emily Lyon received the Theodore Dorf Scholarship toward her summer study in Alcala, Spain.

Alexandra Roper earned the Ashley Crouse Scholarship in support of her summer study in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Christine White was selected to receive one of only five 2015 Elvis J. Stahr Distinguished Senior Awards for her commitment to academic excellence and outstanding accomplishments in student leadership and service to Indiana University Bloomington. Christine was presented with the award at the Senior Awards Dinner in April.

Allison Yates received a 2014 Provost’s Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.  Allison received the award for her paper entitled “Pragmatic variation in service encounters in Argentine Spanish,” with mentor Prof. César Félix-Brasdefer.  The award was presented by Provost Lauren Robel at the Honors Convocation in May 2014.

Molly Zweig was selected to receive one of only five 2015 Elvis J. Stahr Distinguished Senior Awards for her commitment to academic excellence and  outstanding accomplishments in student leadership and service to Indiana University Bloomington. She was presented with the award at the Senior Awards Dinner in April.

Graduated with Department Honors

Abigail Hoff, advisor César Félix-Brasdefer
Claire LeMar Sadof, advisor Reyes Vila-Belda
Emma Meyer, advisor Cathy Larson
Molly Morgan, advisor Ryan Giles
Andru Shively, advisor César Félix-Brasdefer
Sarah TeKolste, advisor Manuel Diaz-Campos

Phi Beta Kappa Electees

Zoe Aughinbaugh
Alexandra Dembar
Ashley Detzner
Cayla Ebert
Baily Harmon
Abigail Hoff
Kristie Hsu
Catherine Krege
Mikalia Kummerow Brown
Katie Lorentson
Ariel Magallon
Megan Maher
Ronald Moore
Molly Morgan
Rebecca Parker
Janaki Patel
Angjela Radmilovic
Rebecca Reeder
Stephanie Rosa
Ally Suffrin
Sarah TeKolste
Rachel Troutman
Emily Wichern
Molly Zweig

Spanish Undergrads Promote Hispanic Poetry with Public Reading

On Friday, October 24th, students, professors, and guests met to read poetry at La Casa. The theme for this particular occasion was Hispanic poetry written by women. The public reading was organized by Associate Professor Reyes Vila-Belda and her S417 Hispanic Poetry undergraduate course. The event was part of the course, and the students worked diligently on their reading skills in preparation for the event. The readings included an impressive representation of female poets from the 20th and 21st centuries from both sides of the Atlantic, such as Rosario Castellanos, Gabriela Mistral, Gloria Fuertes, Gioconda Belli, Alejandra Pizarnick, Concha Zardoya, and Julia de Burgos.  

The reading began with an introduction by Prof. Vila-Belda who stressed both the importance of poetry as an oral as well as a written art form, and also the need to continue the communal and ancient practice of reading poetry. This was followed by special guest Assistant Professor Olimpia Rosenthal, who gave a short presentation about Rosario Castellanos and read her “Autorretrato”. Then each student read a poem and said a few words about his or her selection or the poet. There were several guest readers, graduate students James Lang, Hanna Agauas, and Amina Shabani. More than thirty people attended the reading. Afterwards, light refreshments were served.