A New Mural for EML

Please see the story in the Griffon News about the unveiling of our new mural for the entrance to the EML suite.

Janovec Defends Thesis

Dr. Charlton, Dr. Martens, Ms. Janovec, and Dr. Jeney

Laura Beth Janovec successfully defended her thesis on December 4th. 

Ms. Janovec was pursuing the MAS in Assessment of Writing, having previously completed the Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders.  She studied teacher attitudes on freewriting and other invention strategies in a local district where she is also a fourth grade teacher.  

Congratulations!

Dr. Rivera-Taupier Becomes Citizen

He was already a Griffon, and already a professor, but this month Dr. Miguel Rivera-Taupier became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. 

"I moved to the United States in 2003. I came here originally to pursue a doctorate degree in Spanish. I received that academic title, but now, after having lived in six different states, learned to appreciate --and preach-- the excellence of peanut butter and barbecue, and having met some of the most generous people in the world, I have another certificate, that of American citizen. I am very happy and proud!"

Day of the Dead Celebration

On November 2nd, with the support of faculty members and students, the Spanish Club hosted an event to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The traditional altar this year commemorated three Hispanic women --Celia Cruz, Frida Kahlo, and Selena Quintanilla. Attendants learned about the religious syncretism of the celebration, its traditional music, and the Day of the Dead parade that took place in Mexico City this year.

Faculty Accomplishments (October report)

Dr. Cynthia Jenéy, published the article "Politics and Horsemanship in Chrétien de Troyes' Erec et Enide" in Arthuriana 27.3 (2017): 37-65.

Dr. Marianne Kunkel's poem "Brow Pencil to Hillary" has been accepted into The Missouri Review, and her poem "Lip Liner to Hillary" has been accepted into Prairie Schooner.

Dr. Mike Cadden presented the paper “A Rhetoric of Character in Children’s Literature” at the meeting of the International Research Society for Children’s Literature in Toronto.

Autumn Festival 2017

Held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is the second biggest festival for the Chinese right after Spring Festival. The festival is all about giving thanks for nature’s abundance and a joyful reunion with families and friends.

Students and faculty at Missouri Western State University gathered at Enright on Monday, October 9th to celebrate the Chinese Tradition. The event was organized by Department of English and Modern Languages and sponsored by the Division of Students Affairs and the Department of English and Modern Languages. 

 

University president Dr. Robert Vartabedian and EML chairperson Dr. Stacia Bensyl gave opening remarks for the celebration. The celebration started with a drama about the legend of Mid-Autumn Festival performed by students from Chinese classes. 

As the theme of this year's theme was culture exchange and friendship, students and faculty from different countries recited poems about the moon in their own languages. People also experienced a unique ceremony of worshiping the Moon. They were treated Chinese traditional games and authentic food as well. 

--Professor Jin Peng

Celebration of Hispanic Culture

As part of the Hispanic Heritage Month, on Sept. 27th members of our campus community gathered for a celebration of Hispanic culture hosted by EML, the Student Government Association, and the Center for Multicultural Education. Our professors of Spanish did presentations on the history of the Hispanic Heritage Month, the presence of Latinos in the US population, and Spanish importance in contemporary popular culture. Also, a group of students performed musical numbers and read poems.  

The participants had a good time and enjoyed the Mexican food provided for the event.