China's National Day

In recognition of our Fulbright Scholar, Tiantian, we want to alert you all to the fact that October 1 is China's "National Day." The holiday lasts from the first to the seventh of the month. To know more, please visit the following websites:

http://www.china.org.cn/

http://www.xinhuanet.com/

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/

See the U.S. Department of State's recognition of the day: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/09/174821.htm

English Major Mercedes Lucero Publishes Poetry

Mercedes Lucero, an English major with a minor in creative writing, has some publications about which to brag.


She will have two poems ("Saving Our Ship" and "How Much Younger") appear in an upcoming issue of Calliope, the official publication of the Writers' Special Interest Group of American Mensa, Ltd.

Mercedes will also have her poem "Impact" appear in Burner Magazine, and independent journal published in Toronto.

Congratulations, Mercedes!

Banned Books Week 2011

Come and hear people read from books that have been challenged or banned in U.S. public schools and libraries. We gather for the 15th Annual Reading of Banned and Challenged Books in honor of American Library Association's annual Banned Books Week.

We'll be gathering in Spratt 214 (The Enright Room) on Tuesday, September 27 from 7-8 PM to hear readers, including Dr. Vartabedian and KQ-2's Bridget Blevins, share material that has been the targets of censors.

If you need more reason than the fact that the U.S. Constitution is pretty cool, there will be free snacks and drinks. Bring a date--he or she will think you're edgy and hip. I know we will.

Sponsored by the departments of EFLJ and Education, the MWSU Library, and Prairie Lands Writing Project.

Celebration of Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

On September 12, a celebration was held in honor of the Chinese mid-autumn festival. The program was arranged by Tiantian Zou, our Fulbright scholar from Xidian University. Her Chinese 100 class presented to a crowd of interested students, faculty, and St. Joseph residents.

The program featured an introduction to the festival as well as introductions and readings from important Chinese poets. Tiantian remarked that the students "did brilliant jobs on the pronunciation, intonation, and even gestures."

At the end of the recitation program there was served food and drink traditional to the festival: mooncakes with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, date paste, or pineable paste filling. The mooncake is a symbol of family reunion. Also served were apples (a symbol of peace and health), grapes (a symbol of harvest and happiness), Juhua Cha (a flower tea grown in Anhui in the east of China), Longjing (green tea grown in Hangzhou in the east of China), Tieguanyin (a green/black teah grown in Fujian in southeast China), Pu'er (black tea grown in southwest China), a confection called "Big White Rabbit," and Xienbei (a traditional snack).

Music typical of that played during the celebration was played as those gathered enjoyed food and conversation.

The program included the efforts of Jessica Foster (DJ), Jeff Stevens (technical support), Patrick Graham (master of ceremonies), Mesia Goolsby (greeter), LI Caihong, LU Qing, FAN Biao, and readers Trenton Cook, Davide Bennet, Nicholas Jones, Jane Frick, Ricky Maddox, Jessica Leffle, Amber Godfrey, Mesia Goolsby, Ruth Katchen, Cindy Heider, Shala Moore, Courtnay Inman, Angela Horn, Eduardo Castilla, Fred Weems, Wesley Moore, Lauren Thompson, Jeff Stevens, Patrick Graham, Sarah Gordon, Ceasera Robinson, Spencer Fraizer, Krystal Potter, Jessica Foster, Sharon Moore, and Tiantian Zou.

Foreign Film Series Schedule

Please plan on coming to one or all of these films sponsored by the foreign language faculty. All films will be shown at 6:30 PM in 102 Hearnes Hall (Little Theater, basement floor).

Tuesday, September 20: Mujeres al borde de una crisis de nervios (Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown); in Spanish with English subtitles. Presented by Dr. Jason Youngkeit


Tuesday, October 4: La Historia Oficial (The Official Story); in Spanish with English subtitles. Presented by Tiantian Zou.


Monday, October 10: Die Ehe der Maria Braun (The Marriage of Maria Braun); in German with English subtitles.


Tuesday, October 18: Chinese film with English subtitles (TBA) presented by Tiantian Zou.


Monday, October 24: French film with English subtitles (TBA) presented by Claudine Evans.

Tuesday, November 1: Spanish film in English subtitles (TBA) presented by Dr. Jason Youngkeit.


Thursday, November 10: Incendies (Scorched); in French with English subtitles. Presented by Dr. Susie Hennessy and sponsored by the French Alliance.


Tuesday, November 15: Chinese film with English subtitles (TBA) presented by Tiantian Zou.

Admission is free, so bring a date . . . or two!

Saundra Dibella gains Court Interpreter Certification

Saundra Dibella, part-time instructor of Spanish, has been certified as a Spanish/English Court Interpreter for the state of Missouri. The certification is issued by the Office of State Courts of Missouri and the Access to Justice Program.

Saundra took her Orientation Course in the summer of 2005, which is taught by professionals from across the country. Saundra had to familiarize herself with legal terms and court procedures and pass several examinations--two written and three oral.

The process took a while, as Saundra was teaching full-time with the School District of St. Joseph as well as part-time in EFLJ. Preparation took time, and often exam dates (offered only at certain times) were impossible to attend. Perseverance paid off, however, and Saundra is now in a position to serve the Spanish-speaking population of Northwest Missouri before our courts and to assist attorneys and their clients.

Congratulations, Saundra!

Graduate Certificate Program Boasts Twenty Graduates

EFLJ and Prairie Lands Writing Project are happy to announce that the twentieth graduate certificate in the teaching of writing has been awarded.


The first certificate was awarded in 2007 to Debra Sue Schwebach. In the subsequent four years, the program has served former MWSU students, teachers in the St. Joseph School Disctrict, and part-time instructors of English for EFLJ. Some have gone on to do further graduate work in the department's Masters of Applied Arts in Written Communication.

Congratulations to the 2011 graduates: Mary Duffy, Joe Marmaud, Kyla Ward, and Theresa Christal.