Welcome--Bienvenidos
Spanish at Ferrum College is a growing, evolving program with dynamic courses, involved students, and motivated professors. We work together to create a meaningful learning environment in which language is a vehicle for learning about ourselves and other peoples. Our courses focus on language, but also art, history, literature, and geography, in an interactive, fun way. Different methodologies are employed to engage students and to give them opportunities to use what they learn outside the classroom. Through campus programs, the use of technology, community outreach, and travel courses, the Spanish program seeks to impress upon the students the vast diversity of life in the Spanish speaking world.
Below you can read about some of the recent activities of the Spanish program.
Below you can read about some of the recent activities of the Spanish program.
E-Term in Peru A group of Spanish and Recreation students went to southern Peru for a cultural heritage course. We traveled through Lima, Arequipa, Puno, and Cuzco regions. Students learned about ancient sites, both Inca and pre-Inca, and about modern life in Peru. Students who had studied art, literature, and architecture of Latin America and Spain were able to make connections between the things they were seeing and the things they had learned in previous courses. Everyone was also astonished at the vast cultural diversity and biodiversity, as well as the contrasts between wealth and poverty. Spanish students navigated their way around the cities and asked questions of our guides and the local residents. Everyone tried new foods, learned about crafts, watched performances, and learned about Andean dances and musical instruments. Students saw wildlife that doesn't exist anywhere else, and tested their strength and their limits in high-altitude hikes. The course was a wonderful opportunity for bonding with other students, for expanding our worldview, and for reflecting and learning about ourselves.
For more pictures of our adventures, take a look Dr. Suppes' Picasa album. |
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Congratulations to the Class of 2013!
Pictured left to right are Spanish students John Puckett (minor), Deanna Reid (major), Joemica Donaldson (minor), Norma Velez (major), and Chris Miller (major), with Dr. Sagasti Suppes. Also graduated were Spanish minors Blake DiMeglio, Sam Holloway, Stephanie Ortega, Kaye Adams, and Paul Jaglowski.
Norma Velez is in the Roanoke Times
Graduating senior Norma Velez is featured in an article in the Roanoke Times that talks about her contributions to the Ferrum community and her focus on education and leadership.
Congratulations to Ferrum Spanish Students Spanish students have been well represented at this year's awards ceremony and in the Undergraduate Research Conference.
Congratulations to Norma Velez for earning the Global Perspectives Certificate. This certificate is sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities, and is an interdisciplinary program with many course requirements, as well as a study abroad experience, a second language, and a public presentation of student research. Norma studied in Spain and in Peru. At last year's Undergraduate Research Conference, Norma presented her research about the human rights abuses suffered by undocumented Central American immigrants when they travel through Mexico. We also want to extend a big congratulations to Sara Puckett, who received the Spanish Award at this year's awards ceremony. Sara studies Genetics, Russian, and Spanish. She has been the Spanish PAL tutor for the last two years, and this summer participated E-Term to Peru and a summer program in Spain. Sara combines her interest in science and cultural studies in her research and writing. Good job to Spanish minor Meagan Hodges for the English Award, and Spanish minor John Puckett for his leadership of the Ferrum College SIFE/ENACTUS team that won the regional championship for the 24th year in a row. Spanish and International Studies major Delana Smith earned an award for her representation of China in the Model UN (read her blog entry here). Camille Bower (SPA 102) and Marlea Donaho (SPA 202) won awards in History. Spanish, Agribusiness, and Horticulture major Deanna Reid won the award for Agriculture Student and the Natural Sciences award. Congratulations to all of you for your hard work! For more pictures of the awards ceremony, look at Ferrum's Flikr account, where you'll find the photos taken by Kristin Waters: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferrumcollege/8643012497/in/photostream/ |
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Ferrum's Intercultural FestivalA yearly tradition, Ferrum's Intercultural Festival celebrates our diversity. Russian professor and director of International Programs Sasha Saari organized a wonderful festival, as always. There were tables that represented countries from around the world, delicious food, and several performances. We had a presentation of zumba, in which many students, faculty, and staff participated. Some Russian students performed songs and a story. The Spanish 326 students recited poetry, the Spanish 102 students sang, and the Spanish 202 students performed "tableaux vivants" that represented various paintings. Everyone did an excellent job, and the festival was a success.
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Celebration of Children's DayMost countries in the world celebrate Children's Day. The exact date changes by country, but the idea is to celebrate the beauty, innocence, and fun of childhood. This is not a holiday we celebrate in the United States, so Ferrum College's Spanish Club organized their own celebration of Children's Day in Collinsville, with a group of Hispanic children. There was a soccer match, a variety of games, face painting, and a piñata. We had help from several Ferrum students in the games and painting and setting everything up. Several students who had scheduling conflicts such as sports sent in their contributions in the form of candy, food, or drinks. The main organizer of this was Norma Velez, president of the Spanish Club. Thanks to everyone who participated, this was a successful event.
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