A message from Languages Chair Vanessa DeGifis, fall 2024
Dear alumni and friends of WSU’s Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures,
I hope this letter finds you well and thriving in both your personal and professional endeavors. As a new academic year unfolds, I welcome you to the latest edition of our department’s newsletter, which reflects on the continued growth and achievements of our vibrant community. Whether you graduated recently or many years ago, you remain an integral part of our community and we are excited to reconnect with you through these updates.
For those who don’t already know me, I’m a classical Arabic text philologist with a research focus on the historical influence of Qur’anic language on Islamic political thought, the Caliphate and the administration of medieval Islamic states.
In this issue of our department newsletter, you will find stories of innovation, collaboration and success, along with updates on how our academic programs are evolving to meet the needs of students and the challenges of an ever-changing world.
New programs
In the past year, we’ve rolled out seven new programs. The biggest is our B.A. in World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, which unifies existing faculty resources, courses and curricular structures in a framework that clarifies choices and learning goals for students, facilitates interdisciplinary inquiry and streamlines student progress toward degree. We also launched six new undergraduate certificate programs in four different languages, responding to the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and academic interests to gain the linguistic grounding and proficiency needed for various career paths.
New faculty
Four new full-time faculty have joined us too. Akrish Adhikari is a specialist in Black Francophone Studies and fills a new position in our department that is supported in part by a Mellon Foundation grant for the development of a WSU Detroit Center for Black Studies. Jesus Contreras Bazaldua and Dolly Tittle join our teaching faculty in Spanish and Cori Peet joins the teaching faculty in German and Global Studies.
Scholarships
Supporting students is always at the forefront of our mission, so we’re thrilled to introduce two new scholarship opportunities this year: the Barbara and Sheldon Berry Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in French Studies and the Blanche Goodell Endowed Scholarship for Students of Foreign Language. Scholarships like these have a real positive impact on students—not only financially but as a boost of confidence that fuels the momentum to succeed.
Share your story
As you read through the stories in this edition, I invite you to reflect on your own journey since graduating and how your experiences as a student continue to influence your career and life. I encourage you to stay involved in any way that feels meaningful to you, whether it’s mentoring, partnering, donating or volunteering.
We are always eager to learn your stories, professional milestones or words of wisdom for incoming students and invite you to connect with us through our alumni survey where you’ll get entered into a raffle for a free WSU t-shirt!
You’re also welcome to contact me directly anytime with your news or to learn more about ways to stay involved with us at vdegifis@wayne.edu.
We are excited for what the future holds for our programs and students and we are deeply grateful for our engaged and inspiring alumni. Thank you for your support!
Yours truly,
Vanessa DeGifis
Classical & Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures department chair