ROMANCE MATTERS - Randolph-Macon College

DEPARTMENTS OF ROMANCE LANGUAGES AND GERMAN
EDITORS: MARIA JOSE BORDERA AND SARAH MONTÈS
ROMANCE MATTERS
VOLUME I, ISSUE 2
SPRING 2006
WHAT IS ROMANCE MATTERS
In our annual newsletter,
the Randolph-Macon College
departments of German
and Romance Languages
seek to honor our
graduates and alumni, bring
attention to events, both
upcoming and in the past
that our students and faculty
have been involved in, and
showcase some student
work that is truly extraordinary.
In this issue, we have also
focused on studying abroad
with two articles: The J-
During J-Term 2006, the
Department of Romance
Languages offered three offcampus
courses. French
students studied Phonetics
or Intermediate French in
Paris with Professors
Aouicha Hilliard and Sandrine
Teixidor. Professor
Laura Ruiz led a group to
Cuernavaca, Mexico to
study Latin American Civilization.
Professor Hilliard explained
that her students were
“eager, curious, full of gusto
in their study of phonetics,
but with plenty of energy
left to explore the wonders
of Paris.”
Term Experience 2006 (see
below) and The Top 10
Reasons to
Study
Abroad (page
2).
We hope you
enjoy!
Please contact
us if you
have story
ideas or news
items for the
next issue.
THE J-TERM EXPERIENCE 2006
Junior Heather Porter, a
French Major, spent nearly
every day in Paris getting to
know the city. She shopped,
visited monuments, churches,
museums and ate at a number
of interesting French restaurants.
She describes one evening
at a Fondue Restaurant:
“Sandrine took both classes to
a really fun fondue restaurant
in Montmartre. This place
was really small… and the 16
of us… took over the entire
place!”
Adam Chisenhall, also a junior
French major was pleased
with the amount of French he
was able to understand. He
writes, “This trip is proving to
R-MC Alumna Jennifer Sabine with 2006 J-Term in
Paris students Jeff Turner, Brandy Allen, Heather Porter,
Amy Fears and Adam Chisenhall.
be very productive for all of
us with our pronunciation
and comprehension. Parents,
you should be proud.”
JoAna Johnson is a senior
Spanish major who went to
Mexico this year and Spain
last year during J-Term. She
writes, “(t)here is no comparison
between studying a
foreign language in an
American university and
being submerged (sic) in the
language and culture in a
Hispanic country. My favorite
things on the trips were
the food, everyday conversations
and simply walking
down the streets.“
Continued on page 2
UPCOMING EVENTS
GUEST LECTURER
“ELÉONORE DE SABRAN:
LOVE AND LUCIDITY DURING
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.”
LECTURE BY DR. SUSAN LEE
CARRELL
TOPPING ROOM
MARCH 15
SATURDAY SEMINAR
FOR VIRGINIA HIGH
SCHOOL TEACHERS OF
FRENCH, GERMAN AND
SPANISH
MARCH 18
FILM & LECTURE
“EN GARDE”
BY AYSE POLAT,
GERMAN FILMMAKER
THURSDAY, APRIL 13 IN
COPLEY 101
COMMUNITY EVENTS
VCU FRENCH FILM
FESTIVAL
BYRD THEATRE
MARCH 31– APRIL 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
STUDY ABROAD 2
BUTLER MULTIMEDIA
LEARNING CENTER
3
AMITY SCHOLARS 3
CONGRATULATIONS
SENIORS!
4
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT 5
FACULTY NEWS 7
WINTERFEST PHOTOS 8

PAGE 2
ROMANCE MATTERS
TOP 10 REASONS TO STUDY ABROAD
In the fall of 2005 and J-term 2006 156 R-
MC students participated in semesterlong,
year-long or J-term study abroad
programs! While J-term destinations vary
each year, semester and year programs are
available to students in England, France,
Spain, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Germany,
Japan, Italy, Korea, Australia and
New Zealand – with Mexico quickly on
the way as another location!!
Whether you have always wanted to study
and live in another country or thought you
weren’t brave enough to study abroad –
come visit us in Thomas Branch at the
Office of International Education and we
can help you figure out the best option for
you.
J-TERM EXPERIENCE 2006 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“Just a five minute walk can teach a student
so much, listening to people and music,
watching how people interact and dress,
and looking at all the colorful buildings and
unique architecture as a delicious smells
tease one’s nose. The people I have met
and the friends I made almost match the
amount of learning I experienced on these
two trips. I recommend studying abroad to
all foreign language students; the trip will
make your educational experience a fun
one!”
Professor Teixidor fondly remembers J-
term 2006. Some of the best moments for
Christopher Williams in Paris during J-Term 2006
1. Studying abroad is a life-altering
experience!
Studying and living in a different culture
will help you see the world from a completely
different perspective. It is an amazing
experience that will change your life.
2. Learn about yourself, be
independent
Studying abroad is an occasion to challenge
yourself with new situations that
will test your abilities to adapt and learn.
All you need to succeed is an open mind
and a good sense of humor.
3. It's a chance to gain perspective
of your own culture
her were having dinner together with
her students at different restaurants
and taking in the ballet “Swan Lake” at
the Opéra Bastille.
For Professor Hilliard and many of
her students, the highlight of the trip
was a chance meeting with an R-MC
alum, Jennifer Sabine who is the Paris
Director of the International Institute
for Learning (ILL). She explains, “For
more than one hour, my group and
Jennifer and her lively co-workers
exchanged news about R-MC; but we
were also intrigued by Jennifer’s
work. And so, with everyone speaking
French, then English, and then French
again, we learned about one another’s studies,
work, and aspirations.”
Dr. Hilliard continues, “As the young people
were exchanging telephone numbers and addresses,
Jennifer, in a beautiful, fluent French,
told me that her work with IIL was a culmination
to her studies: “I am doing what I hoped
to do when I majored in French and International
Studies: to be a bridge between cultures.”
BY KIMBERLY CRESSY
Studying abroad is a chance to step outside
of the ordinary and look at life from
a completely new perspective. Many
students return amazed that while studying
abroad they learned more about the
U.S. than they did about life in their host
country.
4. Studying Abroad is a chance to
learn and improve upon a language
While J-term does not allow enough
time to learn a language, going abroad
for a semester or year can make a significant
difference!
5. You don't have to speak a foreign
language to do it
6. Resume building material
What could possibly look better on a resume
than to boast that you interned with
a Japanese railroad company, studied marine
biology on the coast of Australia, or
that you designed and conducted your
own research project in England In today's
global economy, study abroad can be
a defining element to every student's undergraduate
degree. Many companies
increasingly desire leaders with the ability
to live successfully in a variety of countries
and work with co-workers of varying
cultural backgrounds.
7. We have programs that will work
with many majors
Not only does R-MC have programs that
offer classes that can help you gain credit
towards your major, we offer programs
that run for a variety of timeframes (Year,
Semester, Summer, or J-term), meaning
any student can fit a study abroad experience
into their academic schedule.
8. Many programs offer unique academic
structures
9. Bring what you learned in your
textbook to life
10. Make connections that can last a
lifetime

VOLUME I, ISSUE 2
PAGE 3
AMITY SCHOLARS
BY HELENA ALVAREZ–VIETEZ
Randolph Macon currently has
two international Teacher Assistants,
who provide our students
with a broader insight into their
respective language and culture.
Sandie Mollaret is from France
and Helena Alvarez-Vieitez is
from Spain. They both participate
in a program sponsored by
the Amity Institute, an organization
dedicated to building international
friendship and cultural
understanding through teaching
exchange.
Ms Mollaret graduated from the
University of Lyon with a
Bachelor degree in English. She
has been teaching for the last
five years both in France and in
the US. The idea of teaching
French as a second language to
American students was really
appealing to her and that is
why she decided to come to
the US as an exchange teacher.
As for Ms Alvarez-Vieitez, she
is a journalist specializing in
International Relations. Diversity,
languages and cultures
have attracted her since she
was a kid. That is how she
decided to take part on the
adventure of being an Amity
Intern.
They both agree on the reasons
why they chose RMC:
the well known reputation of
the college as well as its size.
“Since it is a small school it is
much easier to get to know
the students and interact with
them,” states Ms Alvarez-
Vieitez.
While at RMC they teach their
native languages to students
and share with them different
aspects of their culture. They
organize foreign movie nights
(shown in their original language)
as well as French and
Spanish tables, where they
meet with the students to share
a meal and have informal discussions.
Both of them are volunteers
and in exchange for their work
they receive room, board and
take personal study classes as
audits.
Their journey with us at R-MC
will finish at the end of the
Spring term. Don’t miss the
opportunity to meet them!
Ms. Alvarez-
Vieitez
Ms. Mollaret
Congratulations
to senior Spanish major,
Signe Reusser, who presented
a paper, “The Early
Progressive Development of
the Spanish Romantic Novel”
at the National Conference
on Undergraduate Research
last March. Her paper was
subsequently submitted for
publication in the conference
proceedings, and was published
in said proceedings.
LOOKING
FORWARD
TO J-TERM
2007
POSSIBLE
DESTINATIONS
INCLUDE:
SPAIN:
ALICANTE
(UNIVERSITY OF
ALICANTE)
CÁCERES
(UNIVERSITY OF
EXTREMADURA)
& PARIS,
FRANCE
BUTLER MULTIMEDIA
LEARNING CENTER
You may know this space in
the middle of Haley Hall as
the “Butler Language Lab.”
However, the new name
“Butler Multimedia Learning
Center (BMLC)” better reflects
the space’s purpose and
objective.
The Center is a space for
learning, teaching, tutoring,
meetings, group projects and
quiet study. The new motto
of the center is Language-
Technology-Culture.
Language students are still the
BY SARAH MONTÈS
primary patrons of the center.
They use the computer workstations
to complete listening
and speaking assignments that
are required for their coursework.
In addition, resources
such as CD-ROMs, textbooks,
DVDs, target language
periodicals and magazines are
available for language students
to use in the center.
Amity Scholars and tutors
from the HAC regularly assist
language students with assignments
as well.
The BMLC’s staff of Student
Assistants are trained to help
students using the lab’s resources.
They also are trained to
troubleshoot technology issues
that arise in the building’s classrooms
and offices. The Director
and many of the Student Assistants
are expert Web Designers,
PowerPoint creators, sound editors
and movie makers. Therefore,
the center has partnered
with the office of Instructional
Technology to provide support
to both faculty and students in
these areas as well. This spring,
many FYE students will be using
the center’s resources to complete
the final project, a digital
movie.
Sarah Montès is the director
of the BMLC and teaches
elementary French

PAGE 4
ROMANCE MATTERS
THE CLASS OF
2006
FRENCH MAJORS
LINDSAY BOTHE,
MEGANCOSNER,
HELEN GARRISON,
CHRIS HIGGINS
SCOTT LANE
FRENCH MINORS
BRANDY ALLEN,
AMBER CHADIL,
DAVID COLANGELO,
AMIE KASAKITIS,
PETRINE KNIGHT,
KARINA QUINOS,
ALEX RIOS
GERMAN MAJORS
STEFANIE DAVID
MICHAEL COOK
SPANISH MAJORS
JOANA JOHNSON
ALLISON
MISERANDINO
JENNIFER RENJEL
SIGNE REUSSER
DERRICK WAYLAND
DIANE WICKRE
SPANISH MINORS
RACHEL COLEMAN,
JUSTIN LAMBERT
ROBERTA MONNIER
KEN THOMPSON
French Club students with Professors
DeGraff and Teixidor at last
years’s Chocolat et la Poésie event.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATING SENIORS
AU REVOIR, PAS ADIEU
This year, the departments of
Romance Languages and German
are graduating more than
20 students with either a major
or a minor in French, German
or Spanish.
In addition to developing proficiency
in the four major areas
of language acquisition: aural,
oral, reading and writing; language
majors and minors finish
their studies with a deep appreciation
for cultural difference
and identity. Many students
obtaining these degrees
have spent significant time
abroad. Critical thinking,
writing and research skills are
also an important component
of the courses in these departments.
GRADUATING SPANISH MAJORS AND MINORS
Congratulation to our graduating
majors and minors. All of
them have taken courses toward
completing their majors
and minors in Spanish in our
department and most of them
have studied abroad during J-
term or during a full semester.
JoAna Johnson expects to be-
The 2006 class of French majors
and minors will be missed.
However, we look forward to
hearing from them in the years
to come. Their time as French
students at R-MC has been full
of interesting courses, cultural
lessons abroad and meaningful
interactions with their professors.
Lindsay Leigh Bothe, French
Club President
who
planned the
Chocolat et la
Poésie event,
will receive
her degree in
French with
both Secondary
Education
and English
Literature minors. She
notes that the “best thing about
being a French major… (is
come a high school Spanish
teacher as soon as she graduates.
She has been a proactive
member of our department and
of the College as a whole.
Surely her students-to-be will
enjoy her classes. She has been
to Spain and Mexico and has
enjoyed the experience tremen-
that) there aren’t many of us
(and) you really get to build
special relationships with your
professors.” This sentiment was
echoed by Megan Cosner, another
French major graduating
this Spring, who notes that her
professors “are true friends and
companions that I trust, respect
and admire.” Both Megan and
Lindsay fondly remember when
Professor DeGraff introduced
them to a great French restaurant
in town.
Studying abroad unifies many
French students. Amber
Chadhil will graduate with a
double major in Drama and
French and an English Literature
minor. She spent the fall of
2004 studying in France and
“cannot wait to go back.” During
her time abroad, she visited
a number of countries including
Switzerland and Spain. Megan
dously. Justin Lambert is a
Spanish minor and has commented
that his experience in
“learning about history, people,
and culture of Latin America
and Spain is something I
will never forget and hope to
learn more as the years come.”
Continued on Page 5
and Lindsay participated in
Professor Teixidor’s J-Term
2005 Parisian Literature course
in Paris. Megan explains that
“it was by far the best month of
my entire life… this
class...made us feel like we had
really accomplished something
[by] the end of the course.”
After graduation, Lindsay plans
on teaching high school French
or pursuing a Masters of Education.
Megan is excited about
a career in the field of Student
Affairs in Higher Education.
Amber looks forward to a
move to the Big Apple, New
York City for either a career or
further education.
To Megan, Lindsay, Amber
and all of the students graduating
with a degree in French:
Bonne Chance!

VOLUME I, ISSUE 2
AUF WIEDERSEHEN!
Michael Cook and Stefanie David will obtain the
Bachelor of Arts in German this Spring.
Michael, who spent two semesters at the Philipps-
Universität Marburg , will also graduate with a major
in Political Science and a minor in Biology. He has
applied to graduate programs in Political Science. Michael
raves about being a German major, explaining
that the courses have been wonderful. “[Dr. Baerent’s]
advanced German course, for example, is both entertaining
and substantive. He’s always the life of the
party! Even at 8:00 in the morning…” He explained
that his time abroad was full of challenging moments
and much self-discovery during which “it was necessary
to transcend my comfort zone, pushing beyond limits I
had never before contemplated exceeding.” He urges
others to spend time abroad because “the return on
such an investment of time and effort is remarkable.”
Stefanie will fondly remember helping to reestablish
the now popular German Club. “Students
were joining...because they liked the club,” she
explains. She spent last summer in Marburg, and
states “no study abroad experience could’ve been
better.” On her last day in Germany, she even
went tandem jumping (skydiving with a professional).
Stefanie graduated one semester early and is now
an assistant in group sales and a figure skating coach
at SkateNation Plus.
PAGE 5
Stefanie David in
Frankfurt, Germany
during the summer
of 2005
Graduating Spanish Majors Cont. from page 4
Like Justin, Allison has had a wonderful experience while taking
courses towards her major in Spanish and states that “though I have
had a wonderful experience as a Spanish major here, I will admit
that completing my major was not exactly easy! The classes were
challenging and there was a lot of work,” but “it was a great experience
and I owe a lot of my success in Spanish to my professors.”
Roberta Monnier is also a Spanish minor and has enjoyed the courses
she has taken, especially with Prof. Mark Malin. She is applying for
Optometry Schools. Good luck to her on realizing her dreams.
Jennifer Renjel, a Spanish major, is planning to move to London for
a few months and then relocate to Washington DC to work in her
area of expertise.
Signe Reusser has decided to attend graduate school to
pursue a doctorate in Spanish. She shared the good
news that she has been accepted at University of Virginia
and she is waiting to hear from other very good
schools to which she has applied. Good luck to her too.
Finally, Derrick Wayland is also planning to attend
graduate school in Pennsylvania or start his professional
career.
On behalf of the Spanish faculty, we would like to wish
them all Buena suerte and all the best as they begin
their professional journey and a new stage in their lives.
Student Spotlight showcases
extraordinary examples of
our students’ written work.
REVIEW OF EUROPA RESTAURANT
BY MELISSA MERKLE
Europa Café y Bar de Tapas esta localizado
en Cary Town (Richmond,
Virginia). El restaurante tiene un
ambiente cálido y divertido y enmarcado
en una decoración mediterránea.
Abierto de martes a viernes
de once y media de la mañana a dos y
media para el almuerzo, todos los
dias de cinco y media a once de la
noche para la cena. El restaurante
ofrece un variado menu que incluye
las tapas, los platos, los sandwiches,
las pizzas, entre muchos otros. Europa
Café se especializa en la paella de los
mariscos, los carnes, y los vegetales. El
restaurante dispone de las ensaladas y las
sopas varias también. Los platos incluyen
la paella, las chuletinas de cordero, a la
parrilla, el pollo a la parrilla, salmón tartare,
y los mariscos varios. El restaurante
se especializa en el vino también. Tiene
vino de la casa en tinto, blanco, y Rosado,
rioja de la casa en tinto, blanco y Rosado
y tiene la sangria y las cervezas también.
El restaurante está en la calle Cary Este
1409 y el número de teléfono es 646-
3911. Recomendamos que hagas reservaciones
si piensas visitarlo por la noche
durante los fines de semana. También
disponen de parking en la calle delante
del restaurante.
Melissa Merkle wrote this Restaurant Review
for her Spanish 111 course with Professor
Bordera.

PAGE 6
ROMANCE MATTERS
RESTAURANT REVIEW: CACTUS CAFÉ BY KENDALL COUCH
Kendall Couch wrote this
Restaurant Review for his
Spanish 111 course with
Professor Bordera.
El restaurante es Cactus Café. Cactus Café está
localizado en la Calle Hopkins 5713 en Richmond,
Virginia. Las horas de operación son de
Lunes a Jueves de once de la mañana a díez de la
noche. Viernes, de once de la mañana a once de
la noche. Sábado, de doce y media a diez de la
noche. Domingo, de doce y media a nueve de la
noche. En el menu hay las tapas como nachos y
fajitas y bean dip. Los platos principales son tacos
y enchiladas y chimichangas. Cactus Café fue
fundado en 1998. Las enchiladas están muy buenas
y sus margaritas son las mejores de la ciudad.
Cactus Café también tiene el grupo de música
muy bueno y puedes bailar. El restaurante es mi
favorito.
En el Café no es necesario tener reservaciones
para el almuerzo o la cena. Hay mucho parqueo
cerca de El Cactus Café. El ambiente es muy limpio
y bonito. Para reservaciones ustedes deben
llamar al restaurante.
MOVIE REVIEW: ALMODOVAR AND WOMEN
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Mujeres al borde
de un ataque de nervios) , directed by Pedro Almodovar, is a
vibrant depiction of tangled relationships. The film begins
with the main character, Pepa, waking up to a note from
her lover, Ivan, saying he is leaving her. She is so devastated
over Ivan leaving that she attempts to kill herself by
mixing sleeping pills into gazpacho. In the midst of Pepa’s
attempted suicide, her best friend, Candela, a fugitive on
the run, arrives in need of a place to stay. Pepa hires the
help of an attorney, who turns out to be Ivan’s new lover,
Paulina, during which time Ivan’s son, Carlos, arrives with
BY PROCTOR TRIVETTE
his fiancée, Marisa, in response to an ad about subletting Pepa’s
apartment. After Marisa ingests some of the drugged Gazpacho,
Carlos begins flirting with Candela and tries to seduce her. Lucia,
Carlos’s insane wife, arrives with the police after receiving an
anonymous tip from Carlos. It is revealed that Lucia was planning
to kill Ivan. Pepa ends up saving Ivan’s life and revealing to him
that she doesn’t want him back , because she doesn't need him anymore.
The audience learns that the reason she went through all that
trouble was because she was carrying
Ivan’s child.
Proctor Trivette wrote this
review for his Spanish 111 class
with Professor Bordera
LA BEAUTÉ FROIDE
En groupe j’ai du pouvoir;
Mais moi, je suis faible en face de la chair ;
Je suis un cadeau ou une sorte de Nature Mère ;
Tout le monde sait que je suis beau et froid.
Je peux arrêter le monde avec ma beauté ;
Ou bien parce que je suis si fort ;
Chaque fois qu’on me voit, je change mon
corps,
Mais tout le monde me connaît.
Je suis volatile mais je ne suis pas une flamme ;
Je suis gentil et aimé par les enfants ;
Ma gloire disparaît juste après que je descends ;
Je ne suis ni feu, ni guerre, ne femme.
Explanation from Professor DeGraff: Early
in the seventeenth-century, the marvelous
Marquise de Rambouillet, chose
to leave the crude and uncivilized
court of Henri IV, and entertain at
home. Her “Salon” became the famous
“La Chambre bleue.” Here women
and men of distinction met to discuss
everything from literature to
love. Here Corneille read scenes from
his new plays, new poetic forms were
invented and much time was spent
analyzing every nuance of the discourse
of love. The influence of the
Péecieuse on language and on social
relationships was great. They were
truly both a civilizing force and an expression
of early feminist ideals.
BY AMBER GREEN
One of the poetic forms invented
by the Précieux was the “Enigme.”
The enigme was much enjoyed by
the precieuse because it allowed
them to demonstrate their wit,
and it afforded an opportunity for a
social game. Thus, the person
would write a poem describing an
object and the guests would have to
guess what it was. This Enigme
was written by Amber Green for
her Seventeenth Century Literature
course last Spring.. We think Amber
has shown herself to be worthy
of being a Précieuse!
See if you can guess what it is.
Answer Below.
Réponse : un flacon de neige

VOLUME I, ISSUE 2
PAGE 7
FACULTY NEWS
·Maria Jose Bordera will
present on immigration at the
R-MC Saturday Seminar as
well at the 59th Kentucky
Foreign Language Conference
Her paper for this conference
is entitled “Isabel de Andrade,
Isabel Churruca e Isabel
Echevarría: distorsión y frustración
del discurso feminista
republicano en la España franquista”
She is also organizing a
panel for the Atlantic
Mountain Conference.
·Maria Jose Bordera and
Sandrine Teixidor are both
preparing to teach new FYC
courses in the Fall.
·Amy DeGraff was relected
in October as the Copresident
of the Virginia
Chapter of the American
Association of Teachers of
French. In March, she was
also appointed Acting
President Elect of the Foreign
Language Association of
Virginia.
·David Harms, Aouicha
Hilliard, Sandie Mollaret,
and Sarah Montès attended
the Simulated Oral Proficiency
Interview Training
Workshop at VCU in February.
·Andrea Hamos has
developed an Honors Course:
“Culture at the Crossroads:
Muslims, Christians and Jews
in early Iberia.”
·Aouicha Hililard has
written an article on
Francophone novelist and
poet from Algeria,
Mohammed Dib.
·Mark Malin will present
two papers this spring:
“Galdós’s Quijotism, the Case
of ‘La novela en el tranvía’” at
the Louisiana Conference on
Hispanic Languages and Literatures”
and “The Good, the
Bad and the Sentimental Savage:
Native Americans in
Spain’s Enlightenment Novel”
at the American Society for
Eighteenth-Century Studies
Conference in Montreal.
· Sarah Montès gave a
multimedia lecture on the
recent elections in Haiti and
will present on the
correlation between oral
proficiency and target
language video and interactive
software at the upcoming
R-MC Saturday Seminar.
·Sandrine Teixidor has
recently guest lectured in
both Mine Eren and Brian
Turner’s classes. She put
together a panel entitled
“Visibles et invisibles: Lutte
des femmes” at the 20th and
21st Centure French and
Francophone Studies
Conference. She will also
present a paper entitled
“The Gaze beneath the Veil:
Portrait of Muslim women
in Francophone literature.”
She is the recipient of a
Walter Craigie Research
Grant and will use the
Grant to continue her
research about this topic
during the summer months.
NEW SPANISH BRIDGE COURSE
Under the label of Spanish 381, Prof.
Andrea W. Hamos is teaching an introduction
to Reading Literature in Spanish.
This is a pilot course which has been approved
by the Curriculum Committee,
that is intended for students coming out
of Conversation to develop their reading
and critical thinking skills in Spanish.
The training they receive in this course
A Warm Welcome
to Pamela Booth, Ingrid Bircann-Barkley
and Hilary Raymond who are the new adjuncts
in Spanish and French. Please help us
make them feel at home and thank them for
their hard work and dedication.
will lead to success in upper-level literature
courses. As of right now, this
course is being piloted but the Spanish
Faculty has agreed to implement it in
order to make it a new requirement for
majors and minors. It will be then considered
the Spanish bridge course, since
it will build up on
reading and writing
PROF. RUIZ’S DEPARTURE
On behalf of the faculty of the
Romance Languages Department
and all the Spanish majors
and minors, we would
like to express our farewell to
Prof. Laura Ruiz, who has
taught language and advanced
literature courses at
Randolph-Macon for three
consecutive semesters. Prof.
Ruiz has decided to move
back to Argentina, where she
and her family are originally
from, due to family and personal
reasons. She was very
sad to leave and will miss
teaching here. Let us wish
her and her family the best in
this new path and life change.

Winterfest 2005
On December 2nd, French, German and Spanish Faculty & Students partook
in a joyous gathering in the Thomas Branch Atrium to share regional
specialties and each other’s company.
DEPARTMENTS OF ROMANCE LANGUAGES AND
GERMAN
EDITORS: MARIA JOSE BORDERA AND SARAH MONTÈS
P.O. Box 5005
Ashland, VA 23005-5505
W E’ RE ON THE WEB
WWW. RMC. EDU/ ROMANCELANGUAGES
WWW. RMC. EDU/ GERMAN
BELIEVE IN THE MOMENT OF CONNECTION
French Students and Faculty pose for the camera
The German table included pretzels!
German students and faculty
R-MC Modern Language Clubs & Activities
French
Table Française: 6:30p.m. in Estes 1st floor meeting room: April 13, May 4
Soirée de Cinéma: 8:00p.m. in the AV room: April 11, May 2
To find out more about the French Club, please contact Lindsay Bothe
German
Easter Celebration April 5
Walpurgisnacht celebration May 3
The German Club meets on Wednesdays at 12:45p.m. in Haley 101
Spanish
Mesa Española 1:00-2:00p.m. in Estes 1st floor meeting room
March 22, April 5, 25, May 10
Película: 7:45p.m. in Haley 108
March 1, 15, April 5, 19 May 3, 10
Tertulia: Thursdays at 4:00 in the Honors House
Tertulia is intended for students in SPAN 231 and above,
as well as for faculty, staff and friends who wish to spend some time speaking Spanish.
Refreshments are provided.