(Pictured from left to right: Maggie Broner (Ph.D. 2000), Carol Klee (Professor and Chair), Paula Kempchinsky (M.A. 1980), Jackie Mosio (M.A. 1979), Tom Romens (Ph.D. 1980), Patrick Shoemaker)
On Saturday morning, April 25, 174 alumni from the Department of Spanish & Portuguese Studies, together with alumni from the Departments of French & Italian and German, Scandinavian & Dutch came to the beautifully remodeled Folwell Hall to enjoy the company of faculty, staff, and new or old friends. They gathered on the fourth floor for coffee and pastries, voted for the best student photographs from the past year's study abroad experiences, and donned "conversation pins" to facilitate discussions of how their language studies have enriched and informed their lives. Everyone then went to the first floor to participate in three mini-class sessions. A total of seventeen mini-classes were offered on a wide range of topics and were taught by a mix of faculty, students, and alumni.
On Saturday morning, April 25, 174 alumni from the Department of Spanish & Portuguese Studies, together with alumni from the Departments of French & Italian and German, Scandinavian & Dutch came to the beautifully remodeled Folwell Hall to enjoy the company of faculty, staff, and new or old friends. They gathered on the fourth floor for coffee and pastries, voted for the best student photographs from the past year's study abroad experiences, and donned "conversation pins" to facilitate discussions of how their language studies have enriched and informed their lives. Everyone then went to the first floor to participate in three mini-class sessions. A total of seventeen mini-classes were offered on a wide range of topics and were taught by a mix of faculty, students, and alumni.
Session A
Teaching Abroad - the Benefits and challenges
Teaching Abroad - the Benefits and challenges
Regions of France
Language Learning Outside the Classroom
Finnish Origins: Linguistics & Genetics
Danger in Francophone Africa
Convivencia in Medieval Iberia
Session B
Saints and Soldiers in Medieval France
The Historic Cultural Phenomenon of the Cuban Rumba
Language Learning Assumptions
Growing Anti-Semitism in Europe
Divine Decadance: Berlin in the Roaring '20s
U.S. Latino Theater
Session C
25 Years After the Wall
Only in Italy: Events not to be Missed
Food, Energy & Politics in Germany
World Cafe: Contemporary Language Evolution &
Impact of New Technologies
Latino Immigration
The alumni who attended enjoyed the morning. A
number of our alumni sent us the following comments about their experience at
the reunion:
Robert Cook, B.A. 2005, Spanish and
Sociology, Corporate Sales
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the U of M
Language Alumni Reunion last Saturday (April 25th). Having spent many,
many hours in Folwell Hall during my undergrad years ten years ago, it was
first & foremost nice to reconnect with a space that holds many positive
memories for me.
As expected, the mini-classes
were all interesting, ranging from the origins of the Finnish people to modern
life in Berlin, 25 years after the fall of the wall. We particularly
enjoyed the class on the social history of rumba music in Cuba, which touched
not only on race and economics, but also provided a bit of music theory as
well.
All of these sessions reminded me
of why I chose to be a Spanish major in the first place: when one reflects on
the structure and history of a foreign language and culture, one naturally
begins to reflect back on one's *own* language and culture. This sort of
critical thinking helps a person to develop a positive world-view, and to
recognize that we are all indeed "global citizens".
We were very happy that the
Language Departments offered these mini-classes, as it also provided alumni
with an opportunity to gain a brief overview on new scholastic developments, as
well as providing "refreshers" on topics we may have studied in the
past. These sort of alumni events show the U's commitment to life-long
learning, and we hope to attend many similar events in the future.
¡Arriba las Tuzas! (Go Gophers!)
Jane Magnuson, B.A. 1997, Spanish,
Global Human Resources - Onboarding at Accenture.
The reunion was a great event! It was
well-organized and a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and
professors, see the beautifully renovated Folwell Hall and take interesting
courses.
The event was also a reminder of
the value of my university experience (especially studying abroad and getting a
degree in a foreign language) and how it continues to resonate to this
day. My time at the University helped me develop a unique perspective and
certainly has shaped my career in global human resources.
I
am grateful to be an alum who lives close to the University, and able to
participate in all of the opportunities the University offers the community
(not just alums) to get involved, learn and give back. Maintaining a
connection to the university and the foreign language department is like a gift
that keeps on giving, and for that I am grateful!
Ada Cifuno, B.A. 2010, Spanish,
Associate Business Analyst at SPS Commerce
The reunion was a great experience. Nostalgia was
high and it re-sparked my passion for languages. It was refreshing to be
surrounded with others that share that same passion again.
Tanya Novak, B.A. 1984, Spanish, ESL teacher at Anoka Hennepin School District
It was really wonderful being back in a
stimulating environment where alumni of all ages came together just for the fun
of learning. Although Folwell Hall has entered the modern age with its funky
plastic desks and modern technology, it has still retained its beautiful
architecture. Walking down the hallways brought back memories of some of the
great language instructors and professors who impacted my life.
Alexandra Kivley, B.A. 2011, Spanish,
Manages translations at Arch Language Network
It was so refreshing to be back in the academic
setting and in such a relaxing and fun atmosphere. Working full time, it is
hard to continue your education on a regular basis - and this was much needed
brain food!
Carolyn Fernandez, B.A. 1992, Spanish
and Psychology, Web Team Customer Service & Inside
Sales. Velocity Tech Solutionskytown
"I had a great time at the reunion. I
hope to attend others. The classes I took were fantastic!"
