Awards

We are proud of the accomplishments of our students and in the spring of every year, the department holds a reception for all of our graduating language majors and minors. Students are recognized for their academic achievements: high honors for students with a language major or minor and a minimum GPA of 3.75 in their language courses, and highest honors for students with a language major or minor and a minimum GPA of 4.0 in their language courses.

In addition, the recipients of our department's awards of excellence are honored:

The Professor Enrique Romaguera Award of Excellence to the Outstanding Senior in Spoken French recognizes the graduating French major who has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in speaking French. This award was created by colleagues and friends in honor of Professor Romaguera upon his retirement from the University of Dayton French faculty in May 2005.

The Bro. George J. McKenzie, S. M. Award of Excellence to the Outstanding Senior in Written French is given to an outstanding graduating French major who has attained commendable clarity and fluency in the written language. The recipient is chosen on the basis of exceptional achievement in at least one French composition course. The grade point average in the major and the overall GPA are also taken into consideration. The award was established in memory of Bro. McKenzie by an anonymous donor.

The Dr. Elke Hatch Award of Excellence to the Outstanding Senior German Major recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in German, and a deep interest in the German language and the culture of German-speaking countries. Native speakers of German are not eligible for this award.

The Dr. James M. Ferrigno Award of Excellence to the Outstanding Senior in Spanish is given to an outstanding graduating Spanish major who is not a native speaker of Spanish, but who has attained commendable ease and fluency in the spoken language. The recipient is chosen each year by the Spanish faculty based on the student’s speaking proficiency, the grade point average in the major, and the overall GPA. This award was established in memory of Dr. Ferrigno by Professor Enrique Romaguera and Mrs. Mary Ferrigno.

The Bro. John R. Perz, S. M. Award of Excellence to the Outstanding Senior in Modern Languages is given annually to the outstanding graduating senior chosen from among French, German, and Spanish majors. Faculty members select the recipient on the basis of the grade point average in the major, the overall GPA, and involvement in and service to the Department of Global Languages and Cultures. The Joseph Poelking, Sr. Family sought to honor the memory of Bro. Perz through the establishment of this award.