April 2026 – Volume 9
Chair Update
Dear MDLL Friends,
The Academic Year 2025/26 comes to an end, and it is time to let you know about our department’s whirlwind of activities.
This issue of Lingua Franca offers a vivid picture of the creativity, intellectual energy, and public engagement that continue to define Modern Languages and Literatures at UMW. Our students and faculty have pursued innovative research projects, from digital humanities work on nineteenth-century women playwrights to AI-assisted literary analysis and linguistic study connecting Basque and Spanish. They have also brought language learning beyond the classroom through public talks, community tours, study abroad experiences, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
The newsletter also highlights the breadth of our department’s reach.
Faculty and students explored food, art, and heritage in Spain; shared research on Amazonian poetry and environmental writing; welcomed inspiring alumni and guest speakers; and celebrated scholarship ranging from local Latino heritage initiatives to the publication of new work in German cultural history. At the same time, our commitment to global learning remains strong, as reflected in new and continuing international opportunities for our students.
Taken together, these pages testify to a department that is intellectually ambitious, globally minded, and deeply invested in connecting scholarship, teaching, and community. I am grateful to all of the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends whose energy and support make this work possible. Many of these activities have been made possible by the many donors who endow our programs with the funds needed to deliver such co-curricular activities. To all of those – our heartfelt “Thank You!”
On a personal note, my time as chair concludes with this semester; Professor Scott Powers will take over this role in August 2026.
Nevertheless, I plan to contribute with news about the German program in the future.
With best wishes to all,
Dr. Marcel P. Rotter, MDLL Department Chai
In this issue:
- Genderama: Bringing 19th-Century Playwrights into the Digital Age
- Spring Break in Spain: Exploring Food, Art, and Heritage
- Walking Through History: Dr. Rotter and Students Lead Fredericksburg Immigrant Tour
- The Power of Language: Catherine Elwell on Global Careers and French
- And more!
Genderama: Bringing 19th-Century Playwrights into the Digital Age
Spanish majors Allon Boettcher and Enya Cea-Lavin presented their research project “Genderama” at the 2026 Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Student Research Symposium on March. They each chose two nineteenth-century dramatics works by female playwrights Isabel A. Prieto (Mexico) and Enriqueta Lozano (Spain). They have produced digital editions of the plays, encoded in XML language and have been tagging each play with certain key concepts to compare such aspects of the plays as female defiance, and the gendered role of the angel del hogar. Their work is part of a larger project directed by Dr. Elizabeth Lewis that is creating a collection of digital editions of nineteenth-century female-authored plays from Spain and Latin America. Once finished, the plays that Allon and Enya studied this year will be displayed on the project website.
The Deep Reading Companion: Reimagining Literary Analysis with AI
During the Spring semester, Professor Powers worked with four advanced French students—Yann Aubert, Allon Boettcher, Aidan Girard, and Carly Radgowski—on the development of an AI-assisted “Deep Reading Companion” designed to support close, critical engagement with literary texts. Rather than providing summaries or interpretations, the system guides students through texts using structured, Socratic questioning that encourages careful observation and reflection. This collaborative project allows students not only to use AI, but to actively shape and evaluate how it functions as a pedagogical tool. Our work has been made possible through a grant from the Center for AI and the Humanities, which supports innovative approaches to teaching and learning at the intersection of technology and the humanities.
Connecting Cultures: A Student’s Journey into the History of Basque Loanwords
Spanish major Wiley Prior, after returning from a Spring 2025 study abroad semester in Bilbao, Spain, decided to pursue an independent study with Dr. Gonzalo Campos-Dintrans focused on Spanish loanwards of Basque origin. During Fall 2025, Wiley researched the history of the Basque people and their language. Building on his experience in Bilbao and connecting it to his academic work, Wiley and Dr. Campos-Dintrans developed a podcast-style project in which they discuss language contact—particularly between Spanish and Basque—while also drawing connections to other language-contact situations. See Wiley’s final project, titled “Préstamos del Euskera,” on Youtube.
Walking Through History: Dr. Rotter and Students Lead Fredericksburg Immigrant Tour
In the Spring, Dr. Rotter, together with his students, gave a talk on the German influence in Fredericksburg, as well as a walking tour on American immigrants in Fredericksburg. The two-hour tour followed mostly William Street (with a detour to Sunken Rd) and Caroline Street, and finished at the train station.
Dr. Larochelle Discusses Amazonian Poetry on With Good Reason Radio
Dr. Larochelle was featured on the With Good Reason public radio show in an episode titled “Delicious Predator” where he spoke about some of his research on the Amazon including a recent book chapter entitled “The ‘Brevity of the Planet’: Environmental Loss in Recent Poetry by Contemporary Amazonian Writers”, as well as his Anthology of recent Amazon Poetry entitled: ¡Más aplausos para la lluvia!: Antología de poesía amazónica reciente”.
Spring Break in Spain: Exploring Food, Art, and Heritage
During Spring 2026, Dr. Delgado-Poust taught a food culture course on Spain’s rich culinary traditions. Over Spring Break, she and Dr. José Ángel Sainz traveled with students from the course to Andalucía and the Basque Country, visiting Granada, the Alpujarras, Frigiliana, Nerja, Bilbao, La Rioja, Gernika, and Donostia–San Sebastián. The group explored historic sites and museums, attended a flamenco show, visited the Alhambra and the Guggenheim, and enjoyed exceptional food throughout this unforgettable trip.
Unity in Motion: Students Compete in Annual World Language Olympics
In early April, students representing all languages combined their language skills and their physical coordination to compete in the Department’s annual World Language Olympics.
Celebrating Heritage: Javier Sánchez Discusses Fred Nats Fundadores at UMW
During Latino Identities Month, Mr. Javier Sánchez visited UMW to speak about the FredNats Fundadores program, an initiative designed to celebrate and honor the growing Latino community in Fredericksburg. Students, faculty and members of the Fredericksburg community, enjoyed Mr. Sánchez talk and engaged in a lively Q&A followed by a reception.
Dr. Hansen-Glucklich’s New Monograph Explores the Cultural History of German Memorials
This summer, Dr. Hansen-Glucklich published her second book, German Memorials, Motifs and Meanings: A Cultural History in Bronze, Wood and Stone ( University of Massachusetts Press, 2025). The monograph explores lesser-known memorials in small German cities and villages, examining their historical contexts and how they endure across wars, regime changes, and shifting national identities. Congratulations! Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Buch! For a more comprehensive description, see the University of Massachusetts Press website.
The Power of Language: Catherine Elwell on Global Careers and French
Ms. Catherine Elwell ’73 visited our Department of Modern Languages and Literatures to generously share her life and professional experiences with our students and faculty. An enthusiastic supporter of language learning, she transformed her love for French into a course of study and, ultimately, a successful career at the International Monetary Fund. When asked, “What can you do with foreign languages?” her answer was clear and inspiring: “Everything!”
Study Abroad Opportunity in Japan
Study abroad program at Akita International University in Japan!
Faculty Updates
Congratulations on Retirement Dr. Chichester!
A beloved and longstanding member of our faculty, as well as a distinguished alumna, Professor of Spanish Dr. Ana Chichester will retire in May 2026, marking the culmination of an extraordinary career defined by dedication to teaching, scholarship, and service to students, our university, and the Fredericksburg community.
Born in Cuba, Dr. Chichester joined the University of Mary Washington in 1992 as a senior lecturer. She holds a B.A. from Mary Washington College, an M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. A renowned scholar of 20th‑century Latin American literature, with expertise in the literature of the Spanish‑speaking Caribbean, Dr. Chichester has taught the widest variety of courses during her tenure at UMW. She has consistently supported student research interests through independent studies and the direction of honors theses, while also serving the university and the Fredericksburg community. Since 2011, Dr. Chichester has served with distinction as Director of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies program. We extend our heartfelt best wishes to Dr. Chichester as she enters her well‑deserved retirement.
Jepson Fellowship and Sabbatical Awards for 2025-2026
Congratulations to Dr. Gonzalo Campos-Dintrans on being awarded the Jepson Fellowship for 2025-2026 and to Dr. Jennifer Hansen-Glucklich on her sabbatical for the Spring of 2026. Best wishes on your projects!
Dr. Betsy Lewis Appointed Director of Undergraduate Research
Congratulations to Dr. Betsy Lewis for her role as the Director of Undergraduate Research. An Open House event on October of 2025, officially introduced the campus community to the UMW Research and Creativity Collaborative (RCC). A new space highlighting the importance of undergraduate research and creativity at UMW (RCC). Congratulations and best wishes!
Scholarship Opportunities with MDLL
*Individual scholarship award amounts depend on the number of recipients selected, the selection committee’s discretion, and financial aid guidelines.
Elizabeth Baylor Neatrour ’54 and Mary Ellen Stephenson Memorial Scholarship in French
Total average award budget $2,400* This scholarship supports semester or year-long international study in France. The scholarship is open to French majors or to any student who is interested in furthering their facility in French and experiencing French culture. Special consideration is given to students with demonstrated financial need.
Students should seek advice from their major advisor and the Center for International Education to select an appropriate program of study.
Grace Cutler Hamilton Scholarship for French Study
Total average award budget $4,500* Rising juniors or seniors with a declared major in French. Students may also use this scholarship for study abroad in countries where French is the predominant language. Interested students should seek advice from their major advisor and the Center for International Education to select an appropriate program of study.
Kathy Liggett Leis ’69 Scholarship for French Study
Total average award budget $2,000* This scholarship supports semester or year-long international study in France. The scholarship is open to French majors or to any student who is interested in furthering their facility in French and experiencing French culture. Special consideration is given to students with demonstrated financial need.
Students should seek advice from their major advisor and the Center for International Education to select an appropriate program of study.
Fita Rivas Scholarship in Spanish
Total average award budget $1,600* Rising juniors or seniors with a declared major in Spanish and who are planning to continue their studies in graduate school. Applicants should complete the Future Graduate School section of the application.
Steve Rabson Scholarship in Japanese
Two awards of $750 each. The scholarships are awarded to two UMW students continuing their studies of Japanese language beyond the Beginning level.
More Info
Please email MDLL (mdll@umw.edu) for more information.