Student Opportunities

Our many study abroad opportunities, language-specific honor societies, awards, and other student opportunities provide students of World Languages and Cultures with plenty of chances to expand their learning outside the classroom.

Academic Honor Societies

Delta Phi Alpha

Delta Phi Alpha is the National German Honor Society, founded at Wofford College in 1929. Delta Phi Alpha seeks to recognize excellence in the study of German and to provide an incentive for higher scholarship. The Society aims to promote the study of the German language, literature and civilization and endeavors to emphasize those aspects of German life and culture which are of universal value and which contribute to man’s eternal search for peace and truth.

The Tau Iota Chapter of Delta Phi Alpha was chartered at Washington College in 2014. The faculty advisor for the Tau Iota Chapter is Professor Nicole Grewling.

To qualify for membership in the Society students must have:

Completed a minimum of two years of college or university German or their equivalent.
A minimum average of B+ (3.3 GPA) or its equivalent in German courses.
A minimum cumulative average of B- (2.7 GPA) or its equivalent.
Indication of continued interest in the study of German language and literature.

Pi Delta Phi

Pi Delta Phi is the National French Honor Society, founded at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1906. The Society is devoted to:

Recognizing outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literatures.
Increasing the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world.
Stimulating and encouraging French and francophone cultural activities.

The faculty advisor to PDP is Professor Pears.

Students are nominated to become members of Pi Delta Phi based on their academic achievement in French courses and their overall commitment to French and francophone cultures. A minimum overall GPA of 3.00, as well as a 3.00 in French and a declared major or minor in French Studies are required.

Sigma Delta Pi

Sigma Delta Pi is a national Hispanic honorary society dedicated to the following purposes:

To honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples.
To honor those who have made the Hispanic contributions to modern culture better known in the English-speaking world.
To encourage college and university students to acquire a greater interest in and a deeper understanding of Hispanic cultures.
To foster friendly relations and mutual respect between the nations of Hispanic speech and those of English speech.
To serve its membership in whays which will contribute to the attainment of the goals and ideals of the society.

Sigma Zeta Chapter was chartered at Washington College in the spring of 1990 to promote the achievement of the above goals on our campus. The faculty advisor for Sigma Zeta Chapter is Professor Elena Deanda Camacho.

To qualify for membership in the Society students:

Must have completed three years of study of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, including at least one course in Hispanic literature or culture.
Must have a minimal GPA of 3.0 in all Spanish courses taken.
Must rank in the upper 35% of his/her class and must have completed three semesters of college work.

A student may be admitted while still enrolled in the required Hispanic literature course if all other requirements have been met and if the instructor certifies that the student’s work is at least at the “B” level.

Prizes and Awards

Chris Miller ’14 Awards

Created in the memory of Chris Miller ’14, these awards help defray costs to majors and minors of the Department of World Languages and Cultures as they pursue studies abroad.

Chris Miller, an alumnus of the Spanish division, had a free spirit, a generous soul, and a passion for understanding the world around him. Our department seeks to carry on his legacy by assisting others to pursue study abroad experiences.

World Languages and Cultures students who have been accepted to study abroad for one or two semesters or an approved credit bearing summer program are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to World Languages and Cultures majors first and minors second.

Application deadlines are: April 1 for study abroad during the following fall semester (and approved summer programs) December 1 for study abroad during the following spring semester Please email the application form to the Associate Chair of the Department by the due date.

The Miller Fund is not an endowment, so it does not generate its own funding; its continuation is contingent upon sustained support from donors. For more information on how to donate, please contact a member of the Department of World Languages and Cultures or visit the College’s Advancement office online.

Our most recent recipient is Ana Reynoso. She received an award for study abroad at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador, for the spring semester 2019. Congratulations, Ana!

The prize was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Erika Salloch, Professor Emerita of German, and offered in memory of her husband Henry Salloch, a long-time friend of the Department. A cash award, as well as a certificate, is given each year to a student or students in recognition of academic achievement and personal commitment to the understanding of other cultures.

2016 - Shana Brouder

2015

2014- Nicolas Campisi

2013- Ryan Bankert

2012- Morgan Phillips

2011- Lauren Seeley

2010- Akin Walker

2009- Isaac Schendel

2008- Wes Schantz

2007- Stephanie Gardiner

2006- Kristin Porter and Alana Wase

2005- Ioana Secosan and Nico Armstrong

2004- Florin Ivan

2003- Rebekah Beckett Land and Ian May

2002- Mike Duck

2001- Michele Bantz

2000- Megan Kilby and Yessenia Santiago

1999- Sarah Keturah Litoff

1998- Abbie Marie Robbins

1997- Jennifer Lee Burkmar

1996- Patricia Anne Walton

1995- Lisa Marie Brown

1994- Stephany Lynn Slaughter and Joseph Merrill Koskuba

1993- Tina Louise McKuen and Monique LeChelle Ware

1992- Raphael R. Koster and Vanessa Ann Post

1991- Tamara-Diana Braunstein and Thomas Marc Pabon

1990- Jennifer Lynne Eisberg and Kristine Joy Winschel

1989- Colleen Marie O’Sullivan and Carl William Schaller III

1988- Sean Moore Ireton and Aina Ingrid Carlsson

The Departmental Service Award

Established in 2006, this award honors students for their outstanding service to the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

2018-Jessica Jones

2016-Lily Britt

2014-Cara Subasic

2013- Katherine Gildner

2009- Carmen Castillo

2008- Leah Ganse

2006- Sarah Fritz

The German Studies Alumni Award

The German Studies Alumni Award is given annuallly to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty of the Department of World Languages and Cultures, has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and a depth of understanding in the field of German Studies.

2020 - Drew Berry and Elizabeth Casibry

2019 - Claire Gardner

2016 - Shana Brouder and Kayla Kyle

2015 - Yeuk Hing Chan

2014 - Sarah Kuist

2012 - Melissa Erdman