Romance Languages Department

Romance Languages Faculty

Talented and dedicated faculty engage students in the study of the languages, literatures, and cultures of the diverse populations that once spoke the Latin of the Roman Empire. Majors in Spanish and French learn to speak a second language fluently, explore the history and culture of its speakers through coursework and study abroad, and gain expertise in the literary arts by reading and analyzing texts produced from the medieval to the post-colonial periods.

Students may combine two languages in a Romance Language major, as well as study Italian and Portuguese language and culture. The affiliated Latin American and Caribbean Studies program provides the intellectual excitement of an interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of multicultural societies that speak French, Portuguese and Spanish.

Casa Hispánica, where students live and speak Spanish, annual dramatic performances in French and Spanish, ESOL outreach, Poetry Night, and the National Symposium on Theater in Academe all provide unparalleled opportunities for students of Romance Languages to actively prepare for the multicultural world that awaits them.

Feature Stories


Twelve W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.

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Dick Kuettner Honored with the Helen Warriner-Burke FLAVA Distinguished Service Award

The director of the Global Discoveries Laboratories and adjunct professor of romance languages and teacher education received the award at the Virginia Board of Education meeting.

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‘A Night of Miigis Moments’ Brings Indigenous-Led Performance To W&L

The Oct. 8 event is presented by Red Sky Performance and is part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.

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Indigenous Artist Sandra Laronde to Deliver Lenfest Center Series Keynote Address at W&L

An authentic Indigenous dinner will accompany Laronde’s talk on Oct. 7 and is part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.

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The Lenfest Center Presents an Evening of Poetry Reading with Rena Priest

Washington’s first indigenous State Poet Laureate will deliver a reading on Oct. 1 as part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.

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The Lenfest Center Presents ‘Native American Peoples and Lands: Historic Connections to W&L’

The public talk will take place in Kamen Gallery on Sept. 27 and is part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.

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W&L Army ROTC Student Earns Prestigious Award While Completing Basic Training

Kylee Cross ’27 received the Soldier Leader of the Cycle Award at her graduation ceremony on August 1.

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W&L Outcomes: Kathleen Roberts ’24

Roberts is pursuing her doctorate in educational psychology through the LIME program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

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W&L’s Tess Deyerle ’24 Selected for Teaching Assistant Program in France

Deyerle will teach English to French public school students before pursuing a career in special education.

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W&L’s Kathleen Roberts ’24 Earns Spot Among LIME Scholars

Roberts will pursue her doctorate at Southern Methodist University through the selective leadership program.

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Ben Bankston '25

Leading By Example

Ben Bankston ’25 is finding opportunities at W&L to challenge himself in and out of the classroom.

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