Appalachian State University Dept. of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

We all need a laugh these days!

Congrats to LLC's own Dr. Kinji Ito, whose translation of The Diary of Iseki Takako (written in the 1840s) won a prize in the classical literature category of the 10th Japan International Translation Competition, hosted by the Government of Japan!

* 現代日本文学の翻訳・普及事業 | Japan Literature Publishing Project Japan Literature Publishing Projectは、様々な言語の翻訳コンクール、ワークショップ、シンポジウムを開催して、日本現代文学作品の魅力を世界に発信しています。The Japan International Translation Competition Office promotes a global appreciation of...

Congrats to Julia Castellano ’15 (French, TESL), who is featured in this Our State Magazine story about her bakery, Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse, in Wilmington!!!

Wilmington’s Bread Whisperer | Our State At Little Loaf Bakery and Schoolhouse, a team of bakers share their passion for bread — and pass on the old-world secrets to the perfect loaf.

Congrats to LLC's own Lynn McNeil for being inducted into the Academy of Outstanding Teachers and being honored as the Non-Tenure-Track Teacher of the Year Award.

Last Wednesday, we recognized several faculty and staff members for outstanding service, teaching, and scholarly work during our 2024-25 Faculty and Staff Awards Luncheon. Congratulations to the award nominees and recipients!

✨ Academy of Outstanding Teachers and Outstanding Teachers of the Year Awards: Dr. William Anderson Jr. (Geological & Environmental Sciences), Dr. Johnnie Lotesta (Sociology), Lynn McNeil (Languages, Literatures, & Cultures), Dr. Elizabeth Perego (History), & Dr. Mary Valante (History)

✨ Donald W. Sink Family Outstanding Scholar Award: Dr. Christopher Bartel (Philosophy & Religion)

✨ Excellence in Engagement Award: Carla Ramsdell (Physics & Astronomy)

✨ Jimmy Smith Outstanding Service Award: Dr. Conrad "Ozzie" Ostwalt (Philosophy & Religion)

✨ Outstanding Staff Awards: Jennifer McGuinn (Biology) & Shane Miller (Computer Science)

✨ Richard N. Henson Outstanding Advisor Award: Dr. Emily Lutenski (Interdisciplinary Studies)

✨ Student Success Award: The Department of Mathematical Sciences

✨ William C. Strickland Outstanding Junior Faculty Award: Dr. Roshani Silwal (Physics & Astronomy)

Full announcement linked in the comments ⬇️

Der Nikolaus ist da!! On December 6, the German program will kick off a new series at the Watauga County Public Library that will also feature stories in French, Chinese, and Spanish read by DLLC faculty throughout the spring 2026 semester! Thank you to Dr. Donna Bonner in our TESL/Applied Linguistics program and to the Watauga County Public Library, as well as to High Country Humanities! This project is also supported by a Community Engagement Grant (congrats Donna!) from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success (CETLSS).

On Saturday, December 6th from 10:00-11:00 a.m., join us for our first “International Story Time” at the Watauga County Public Library, located at 140 Queen Street in Boone. This event will feature a reading of “Wake Up, Santa Claus” by Marcus Pfister, presented by Dr. Alexandra Sterling-Hellenbrand (Professor of German Studies), Mr. Jack Hellenbrand (ESL Teacher at Watauga County Public Schools), and undergraduates.

This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. It is the first of four events in our new “International Story Time” series, organized by the Appalachian State University Dept. of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, the Watauga County Public Library, and High Country Humanities.

Subsequent events will take place on 1/15/26, 2/19/26, and 3/19/26. For details, visit hchumanities.appstate.edu.

College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University

Kaffee, Kuchen, Spiele, Basteln, und Karaoke... come join us in German for some immersion fun on November 14 from 3-9pm in LS Dougherty Hall!

¡Tarde de inmersión! Ven a L.S. Dougherty Hall mañana (viernes, 14 de noviembre) de 3-9pm para compartir comida, conversación, karaoke, y otras actividades en español. Puedes encontrar un enlace al horario tentativo en el primer comentario abajo.

Congratulations to LLC MA alum Nancy Greiner for her award winning work as a teacher of French in Hickory City Schools! Just another way that our students go on to embody and celebrate excellence in world languages!!

On October 18, Hospitality House welcomed a new collaboration with AppState's Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department for a community service day. Representing the department were Spanish instructors Adrienne Erazo and Liz Kunkel, along with undergraduate students August Grubbs, Abigail Lapp, Vania Sandoval, and Sophie Stahler. Together with the Community Outreach Coordinator, Aaren Grant, the team harvested several pounds of tomatoes and other produce, and helped winterize the garden for the coming season change.

🎉 Congratulations to Appalachian alum Ryan Hellenbrand, who recently completed his PhD in Environment and Resources at the University of Wisconsin–Madison!

Ryan graduated from App State in 2017 with degrees in Global Studies (German area studies emphasis) and Sustainable Development, studied abroad in Germany, and later completed a Fulbright in Austria. He now returns to Austria as a USTA at the Center for Agricultural Education and Research, continuing his work in ecological knowledge, restoration, and environmental history.

Ryan will be presenting at the Yale Forest Forum on October 2nd.
https://yff.yale.edu/speaker/ryan-hellenbrand

We are proud of the students who study in our programs and go forward to do great things!

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🎓👏 Big congratulations to Savannah Wilson, a proud two-time graduate of Appalachian State University, on her appointment as Assistant Principal at South Caldwell High School!

Mrs. Wilson earned her BS in Spanish Education and her MA in Romance Languages: K-12 Spanish Teaching from App State, equipping her with both the heart and the expertise to lead with excellence. With years of experience teaching in Watauga County and a passion for student success, she brings energy, dedication, and deep commitment to her new role.

The Caldwell County Schools team and Board of Education officially welcomed Mrs. Wilson on July 17, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see her join South Caldwell High School’s leadership team.

Way to go, Savannah—South Caldwell is lucky to have you! 💛📚