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Washington State University
News Travels December 2016 Newsletter Home Page

From Our Chair

DFLC Chair JT in front of Thompson Hall

Hello, Cougs,

Welcome to another installment of News Travels, our biannual newsletter. As we approach the holiday season and break, it is a great time to look back to reflect on all of the accomplishments, challenges, and changes we have witnessed in 2016. This past academic year has meant growth and opportunity for the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures (DFLC), but not without some challenges along the way. Our faculty continue to publish top-level research in well-respected journals worldwide and we are teaching to a growing student body.

In 2016, the department worked diligently to provide a great many courses over the summer and increased productivity by a significant amount. However, 2016 was also a year that we said goodbye to three well-known and well-respected professors: Dr. Rachel Halverson, Dr. William (Puck) Brecher, and Dr. Christopher Lupke. We wish them all well in their new positions and their losses are still felt in their respective sections. Despite losing these three very productive scholars, the department has continued to increase its offerings in all languages, including the three less-commonly taught languages of Arabic, Korean, and Italian. Russian language will be working towards a new Russian Studies minor and there are prospective offerings in Core Competencies in Spanish, an online certificate program, and an online certificate for Mythology.

As scholar/teachers, our faculty are continually upgrading and updating the content of their coursework and honing their skills in the methodology as well as in use of technology in the classroom. Some potential programs on the horizon show how bright the future is for the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures—this is an exciting time to be a part of the growth and development going on here in Thompson Hall.

In addition to our French Film Festival at the Kenworthy Theater in Moscow, Idaho, the Bollywood Film Festival was very well attended in September. We continue to offer interesting new faculty-led programs, such as a new program in French this summer, which will take place in Paris. As you can see, we have been branching out into new areas that showcase the diversity and talent in our department, while increasing the opportunities for WSU students.

Thank all of you for your support and encouragement. It means a great deal to the faculty, staff, and students in the department. Have a happy holiday season, and I look forward to addressing you again next semester.

Sincerely,

JT Hughes

JT Hughes

Jolyon T. Hughes, PhD
Professor of German
Chair, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures
Washington State University
Thompson Hall 110B
Campus Delivery 2610
Pullman, WA 99164-2610
Tel: 509-335-6173