MLS in The News
Dr. Nancy Zimmerman | Spanish Education
In November of 2022, the President of Kutztown University asked Dr. Zimmerman to be the commencement speaker for the December Commencement. She was surprised and honored to be able to tell the story of how teaching Spanish and working with future language teachers became such an integral part of her life.
Natalie McSwain | Spanish Education
In 2015, shortly before graduation, Natalie McSwain never thought that attending the Kutztown University College of Education job fair would ultimately lead to a job at Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Florida. Fast forward eight years to the morning of September 16, 2022, when a knock at her portable classroom door would become one of the most exciting surprises in her teaching career: being told that she was a finalist for Polk County Teacher of the Year.
SPARK FOR GERMAN PILOT PROGRAM
After the first day, one young participant insisted on being called Jäger (hunter), the German equivalent of his first name. Another learner was going to start practicing with his brother, who is taking German at Kutztown High School. After two weeks, all students displayed an almost Pavlovian reaction to the word Bonbon (candy).
Lauren Pash | German Studies & History
Kutztown University has been integral in senior Lauren Pash’s journey to finding what she wanted to study, as well as what she wanted to do beyond school. Lauren, originally a chemistry major, became a double major in German studies and history, which was more attuned to her interests. After transferring to KU from Lehigh Carbon Community College, she discovered a new interest in Pennsylvania German culture and language.
Dr. Carolina Moctezuma | Modern Language Studies
Learning a new language isn’t an easy task. But to Dr. Carolina Moctezuma, professor of Spanish at Kutztown University, learning a language is secondary to learning the culture it originates from. “The language is obviously important,” she says, “but I think learning to understand other cultures helps us as human beings become more compassionate…everything revolves around culture.”
Nathan Hayduk | Political Science & German
From growing up on Main Street in Kutztown to having a mother who is also a KU professor, Senior Political Science and German dual major Nathan Hayduk spent a lot of his childhood on campus in the back of his mom’s classroom, so he never planned on choosing KU for his college career. However, after weighing all his options, Nathan realized that Kutztown had much more to offer than he had ever realized.
Dr. Hanson | Modern Language Studies
The Pennsylvania Dutch language has a rich history in Kutztown and the surrounding areas. Among the Amish and Mennonite communities, the language continues to be used and
taught. However, in the nonsectarian communities, the language is not as prevalent. Associate Professor of Modern Languages Dr. Gregory Hanson is making it his mission to study and teach both standard German and the Pennsylvania Dutch language and the lasting effects both languages have on the community and students of KU.
Verenice Cervantes | Spanish Business Administration
Verenice Cervantes is a first generation student looking to inspire minority students to seek opportunities available to them. Her plan of action? To lead by example.
Yorman De La Rosa
Yorman De La Rosa, a senior Political Science and Spanish major, is living his dream. As of this past January, Yorman is completing his internship at the Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C. as a public policy assistant. Yorman has always had a fondness for international relations. Born in the Dominican Republic, his focus was always on Caribbean and Latin American affairs. Through his hard work and some help from the faculty at KU, he is doing what he loves most, while making a name for himself.
