WLC Alumni

Foreign Languages at Iowa State University were taught sporadically from the university’s inception. It was not until 1899 that the Department of Modern Languages was formed and foreign language study became a permanent part of the academic curriculum. In 1969 the department was renamed Department of Foreign Languages in order to allow for the teaching of Latin and Classical Greek. In 1977 the department name was changed to Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures to bring visibility to its dual curricular focus. On July 1, 2006, we became the Department of World Languages and Cultures to better encompass the scope of the department’s mission and responsibilities with regard to Iowa State University’s strategic plan.

Since 1970, over 1100 students have graduated from the combined departments of Modern Languages and Foreign Languages and Literatures. We will continue to add to these numbers as the newly named Department of World Languages and Cultures.

As a way to recognize the many and diverse achievements of our graduates, the department has established Alumni Achievement Awards to be presented each fall during ISU Homecoming Week. The awards recognize alumni achievements in both education and the professions (including business and industry). The first awardees were recognized in 2004 at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Recognition Dinner.

Nominations for the departmental Alumni Achievement Awards are accepted on a rolling basis. Please consider nominating someone you believe has made an impact in his or her profession.

2006 Alumni Awards

The Department of World Languages  and Cultures will recognize the achievements of three of its alumni who will return to campus on October 20 to meet with faculty and students.  The 2006 World Languages and Cultures awardees are:  Sue Otto (BS '69, Modern Languages), Director, Language Media Center, University of Iowa; Christine Romans (BA '93 French and JLMC), CNN Correspondent;  and Beth VanderWilt (BA '84 Spanish), language teacher at Jefferson-Scranton High School, Iowa.  The Program in Classical Studies will also recognize one of its outstanding alumni, Amy Thomsen (BA '93 English, Classical Studies), at the same event.  We are fortunate to have these graduates return and share their knowledge and experience with our current students.

Sue Kovacic Otto (BS 1969, Spanish)

Sue is the Director, University of Iowa Language Media Center. She is also Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Spanish and Portuguese and International Programs. Sue’s work in co-founded and co-directing the Project for International Communication Studies (PICS) constitutes her proudest professional contribution. The work of PICS focused on acquisition of authentic television materials in Spanish, French and German and on the development and publication of pedagogical support materials for distribution to educational institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Because of Sue’s many contributions to foreign language study, we are proud to present her with the Alumni Educational Achievement Award.

Christine Romans (BA 1993, French)

Christine is a correspondent for CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight. Recently she tackled the trend of U.S. jobs moving overseas as U.S.-based companies improve profits by seeking cheaper labor abroad. Christine was an anchor for CNNfn’s Street Sweep before joining Lou Dobbs. She tra

cked the market’s boom through the late ‘90’s to the economy’s swoon from the 9/11 attacks. Christine investigated the collapse of Enron, WorldCom and other corporate scams and reported on corruption from the investor’s point of view. Christine has interviewed everyone from Jon Bon Jovi to Senator John McCain to New York Mayor Rudy Guillani. Christine says she speaks on behalf of the person who owns a small share of a company that doesn’t drive a Jaguar. 

We are honored to present Christine Romans with the Alumni Professional Achievement Award.

Beth Vander Wilt (BS 1984, Spanish)

Beth has been teaching Spanish for 22 years, 20 in the Jefferson-Scranton School District. Beth has presented sessions for Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) on numerous occasions and twice earned “Best of Iowa” award as presenter for the IWLA. Beth was named “Iowa World Language Teacher of the Year” for the high school division in 2005. Beth has been a mentor for several new teachers and has had two student teachers from ISU. Beth earned her National Board Certification in 2002, the first year it was offered. Beth has also organized student trips abroad since 1994. We feel that Beth Vander Wilt is an exemplary model for future teachers. The Department of World Languages and Cultures is pleased to present Beth with the Alumni Educational Achievement Award.

Previous Award Recipients

2005

Beth (Schutter) Eilers, (French, BA '87)

FLL Alumni Educational Achievement Award

Frederick Schwink, (German, BA '83)

FLL Alumni Educational Achievement Award

Gary Stahl, (Spanish and International Studies, BA '83)

FLL Alumni Professional Achievement Award

Heather Schafroth, (Chemical Engineering, BS '96)

Classical Studies Alumnia Achievement Award

2004

Anne (Mutchmor) Bourdine (Russian, BA '86)

FLL Alumni Professional Achievement Award

Eugene (Gene) Larson (French, BA '76)

FLL Alumni Educational Achievement Award

Connecting with World Languages and Cultures @ Iowa State

There are many ways in which the graduates of our language programs can renew their connection with the faculty and students in World Languages and Cultures at Iowa State. Alumni are always welcome back to campus to visit with our faculty, to check out our new Language Studies Resource Center, or to meet with our students. Our undergraduate students benefit tremendously from interaction with our graduates as they seek out advice on combining academic majors, recommendations on study and work abroad, and first-hand information on graduate studies and career options.

If you would like to visit the Iowa State campus and share your academic or professional expertise with our students, please contact the department chair at 515-294-4046. We also welcome alumni assistance in identifying internship opportunities for our advanced undergraduates, establishing student scholarships, or supporting other departmental initiatives.

We look forward to connecting with you again at Homecoming, during VEISHEA, or whenever your travels take you through Ames!