2024 Department Newsletter

From the Chair's Desk:

Dr. Margot Versteeg, Professor and Chairperson

At the moment I am writing, the summer break is almost over, and we are gearing up to go back to campus for what promises to be an exciting new academic year. We will be welcoming another large incoming class of freshmen eager to learn Spanish. When I was a student, learning Spanish provided me with the access code to an entire new world. I learned about countries I had never visited and familiarized myself with an incredibly rich cultural production.

I hope our students will enjoy the same fantastic experience. I am very proud of all our faculty, lecturers, and GTAs who work so very hard to make this happen. They teach well designed classes, incorporate interesting materials that often stem from cutting-edge research projects, and continuously improve their approaches to teaching and grading. Together they make sure that our students get the best education possible.

Here's to wishing all of us another great year of teaching and learning!

Cheers,

Margot

Graduate Degrees Awarded (2023 - 2024):

Ph.D. Recipients

M.A. Recipients

Block Chalk Fiesta!

Just before finals week, students from SPAN 104, 108, 212, and 216 celebrated the semester with a Block Chalk Fiesta! Attendees gathered on Wescoe Beach to showcase their Spanish skills and creativity though chalk art. By the event's close, the sidewalks of Wescoe were full of colorful drawings depicting Jayhawks, basketballs, good luck messages for finals, and even notes of appreciation for their course instructors - all written in Spanish, of course! Students also got to enjoy popsicles supplied by Topeka-based business Paletas Royale. The setup encouraged students to practice ordering specific menu items in Spanish, earning some extra credit for their participation and chalk drawings. 

Thank you to everyone who participated and made the Block Chalk Fiesta memorable! Special thanks to Spanish Language Program Director Amy Rossomondo and course coordinators Rebecca Nye, Etty del Valle, Diana Londoño, and Jen Gabriele for organizing the event.

George & Eleanor Woodyard Lecture

The annual lecture series dedicated to the legacy of Professor George W. Woodyard continues to be a highlight of our academic calendar. This year, we welcomed Priscilla Meléndez, Professor of Language & Culture Studies at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, who presented “Beyond Catastrophe: Teresa Hernández and the Puerto Rican Performative Body in the New Millennium.” Dr. Meléndez’s talk explored the role of performance art in expressing cultural identity and resilience in Puerto Rico, highlighting the work of pioneering contemporary theater artist Teresa Hernández.

Since 2014, the Woodyard Lecture has been an annual event that brings guest lecturers to campus to discuss the latest topics in Latin American theater. This series is made possible with funds endowed by the late George Woodyard, Professor of Spanish & the first Dean of International Studies, and his wife, Eleanor. 

George W. Woodyard made a lasting impact throughout his nearly four-decade tenure at the University of Kansas. A passionate educator and scholar, Professor Woodyard founded the Latin American Theatre Review in 1967, establishing the first academic journal dedicated to this field. He held several key positions at KU, including Chairman of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese languages (1974-78), Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (1978-89), and the first Dean of International Programs and Studies (1989-96). His leadership extended beyond administrative roles; frequently leading study abroad programs in Mexico and Spain while inspiring countless students through his dedication to cross-cultural education.

The Department of Spanish & Portuguese hopes to uplift Professor Woodyard’s legacy through the annual lecture series and celebrate his enduring contributions to Latin American theater and international education.

1st Annual Graduate Student Conference

The KU Graduate Association for the Department of Spanish and Portuguese proudly hosted its Annual Graduate Conference on April 26-27, 2024. This year’s conference, conducted in a hybrid format, facilitated discussions on the intersection of theoretical perspectives, lived experiences, and cultural and literary expressions across the Americas, as well as within Transatlantic and Transpacific contexts.

We’d like thank all attendees for their active participation and contributions. Ten graduate students from our own department presented throughout the conference. Several participants joined us from universities across the nation, including University of California Riverside, UCLA, University of Central Florida, and more. Day 1 also featured the Keynote Presentation, "“The Apology of Culture: Museum, Violence, and State Rituals in Mexico”, by Dr. Mario Rufer, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana en Xochimilco, México. Day 2 of the conference, which took place via Zoom, featured presenters from international universities such as Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro and Universidade Católica de Pelotas. The full Conference Program (.pdf) is available on our website.

Finally, special thanks to the 2023 - 2024 GRASP members who organized the event:

• Manuel J. Rodríguez-Peréz, President
• Sigree Moreno Cruz, Vice President
• Luis Sánchez-Arrocha, Secretary
• Cesia Espinal-Moncada, Treasurer

Study Abroad - Summer 2024

Many of our students have just returned from their 6-week summer study abroad programs!

The first program, “Language and Culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina”, took place from May 18 - June 28, 2024. During their 6-week trip, students participated in a variety of cultural activities and local excursions while living with a host family. They visited the Universidad de San Andrés main campus to meet local students, took a tango lesson, and explored the Evita Museum. The program also included a boat tour of El Tigre on the Río de la Plata delta and a visit to a traditional Argentine ranch, where students witnessed demonstrations of gaucho skills. The Buenos Aires program was co-directed by Professors Jonathan Mayhew and Santiago Rozo Sánchez, and supported by GTA & Ph.D. student Mira-Briana Haydu.

Our other summer program is titled "Language, Literature, and Culture in Barcelona, Spain". Students had the opportunity to live with host families while exploring Barcelona’s stunning architecture and learning more about its rich history. Scheduled activities included visits to cultural landmarks like the Palau de la Música, Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Hospital de Sant Pau. Students also enjoyed a trip to Figueres to visit the Dali Museum and a weekend excursion to Madrid. The academic programs were led by faculty members Miguel Ángel Albújar-Escuredo and Ninel Valderrama Negrón, and supported by M.A. student & GTA Claudia Salas-Forero. Photos from the latest Barcelona trip are available below!

Dissertation Defense by Ph.D. Candidate Natalia Camacho

August 30, 2024

On August 30th at 11:00am, Ph.D. student Natalia Camacho will present her dissertation defense, "Rock y Metal con las uñas: Transsubjetividades femeninas estridentes desde Latinoamérica"!

Spanish & Portuguese Practice Tables

Dates TBA

Our Spanish & Portuguese conversation practice tables have continued to be a hit among students and the greater Lawrence community!

These tables provide an informal setting where learners of all levels can feel comfortable conversing in their target language. Sessions are often guided by set topics or themes to help introduce new talking points and vocabulary. The Spanish table, titled Hablemos, is led by the Graduate Association for the Department of Spanish & Portuguese (GRASP) and is held at Lawrence Public Library. Our Portuguese table is organized by lecturer Ana Laura Marques, and meets at Wescoe 2600.

Both tables operate bi-weekly during the Fall and Spring semesters! Remember, this resource is offered completely free of charge to anyone in our community that’s looking to improve their Spanish or Portuguese-speaking skills. Schedules will be posted on our website.

Visit by MLA Executive Director Paula Krebs

September 12, 2024

On September 12, 2024, Paula Krebs, Executive Director of the Modern Language Association (MLA), will visit KU's campus! Graduate students will have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Krebs over lunch and discuss about the MLA, the state of the profession, and the changing world of graduate education.

Following the meeting with graduate students, Paula Krebs will present, "Where Language, Literature, and Culture Stand in Higher Education," at 4:00pm. Please join us for an insightful discussion on the current landscape and future directions in our field!

Presentation by M.A. Student Silvia Asandei

September 19, 2024

On September 19, 2024 at 3:00pm, Ph.D. student Silvia Asandei will present the talk "The Querelle des Femmes: Women in Early Modern Spain”. The lecture is part of the Hall Center for the Humanities' Medieval & Early Modern Seminar series, which explores diverse aspects of history, culture, literature, art, and society from c. 400 to c. 1800.

Study Abroad 2025

Application dates for our Spring 2025 Study Abroad programs are quickly approaching! We always encourage students to spend some time studying abroad, exploring different cultures, and immersing themselves in a language to achieve greater proficiency and fluency. Scholarships are available for study abroad through both the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Study Abroad & Global Engagement, and national organizations.

Click here to download a PDF of our upcoming Spring programs in Mexico, Spain, and Costa Rica!