Current Students

Foreign Language Requirement

EMU students complete one 3 SH course in a foreign language to fulfill the core foreign language requirement. This may be satisfied by enrolling in a course on campus or elsewhere, in a semester-long intercultural or in select 6 SH summer intercultural programs. Learn more about the requirement.

Spanish Resources and Activities

Students of the Spanish language make up a vibrant community here at EMU. Professors organize the Spanish film series in the spring, weekly lunch conversations called Tertulia, and lively interactions with the Intensive English Program, too.

Peace Oratorical Contest

Each year students participate in the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, during which students discuss peacebuilding and social justice issues on campus. The intercollegiate competition is administered by the Peace and Justice Ministries of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Undergraduate students from every Mennonite and Brethren in Christ college in North America are eligible to participate. Winners receive cash prizes.

Department Scholarship Awards

Click on the award title for more information.

James R. Bomberger Award for Excellence in TESOL
The James R. Bomberger Award for Excellence in TESOL honors an EMU student who is a senior or junior, minoring in TESOL, whose performance in TESOL classes and practicums has been outstanding. Professor Emeritus Jim Bomberger, who taught English grammar and American literature, founded EMU’s minor in teaching English to speakers of other languages, helped EMU establish links in China and Japan, and was a Fulbright scholar in Liberia.
- 2019 Abigail Shelly
- 2017 Jasmine Miller
- 2016 Naomi Scoville
- 2015 Yolanda Rice
- 2014 Landon Heavener
- 2013 Erica Wagner
Omar Eby Writing Award
The Omar Eby Writing Award honors a senior majoring or minoring in Writing Studies who demonstrates excellence in the craft of creative writing and who provides insightful critique and support for other writers in creative workshops. Professor Emeritus Omar Eby published thirteen books and numerous articles and short stories, some honoring his conservative Mennonite past in Maryland. Generations of EMU students revere him for his realism, sometimes uncomfortable honesty, delightful irreverence and sincere caring for others.
- 2019 Yordanos Tesfa, Joshua Holsapple
- 2018 Liesl Graber
- 2017 Kaitlin Abrahams
- 2016 Naomi Scoville
- 2015 Ben Mast
- 2014 Lani Prunés
- 2013 Konrad Swartz
Ervie L. Glick Award for Excellence in World Language Study
The Ervie L. Glick Award for Excellence in World Language Study honors the senior and/or junior who has exhibited academic excellence as a Spanish major and has shown a clear sense of call to pursuing graduate work or using his/her language degree in service to the church. German Professor Emeritus Glick taught German, English, French and led cross-cultural groups to Germany and Austria in his relentless pursuit of bringing the world and its languages to his students.
- 2019 Anastasia Dronov
- 2018 Laurie Serrell
- 2017 Anna Messer
- 2016 Teresa Garcia-Bautista
- 2015 Carissa Harnish
- 2014 Maria Martin
- 2013 Anya Horning
Ray Elvin Horst Award for Excellence in Spanish
The Ray Elvin Horst Award for Excellence in Spanish honors a junior or senior who has exhibited academic excellence in Spanish courses. Spanish Faculty Emeritus Horst was known for his unique and innovative teaching methodologies and taught at both the high school and college levels during his illustrious career.
Jay B. Landis Award for Excellence in Literary Studies
The Jay B. Landis Award for Excellence in Literary Studies honors an EMU student, majoring or minoring in the Language and Literature Department, who completes an essay, research paper, or scholarly presentation for a literature course that exemplifies the components of good literary analysis. Professor Emeritus Landis, beloved by generations of students during a 51-year career, taught writing, speech, literature and other courses. His literature classes included modern poetry, modern drama and Shakespeare.
Carroll Yoder Award for Teaching Excellence
The Carroll Yoder Award for Teaching Excellence honors an EMU student who is a senior or junior who has demonstrated academic excellence in both literary studies and education courses and has shown a clear call to the teaching profession. Professor Emeritus Carroll Yoder, who taught French, English, and writing, along with mentoring many aspiring teachers, provided his students and colleagues with a powerful example of scholarship in service to others during his thirty-four years in the Language and Literature Department.

2020 Scholarship Awards

Click on the award title for more information.

Ernest G. Gehman Scholarship

For foreign language majors with a qualifying GPA.
Virginia Glass Schlabach Endowed Scholarship

For full-time undergraduate students majoring in the Language and Literature department.
(This scholarship is part of the Pellman Chair.)
Hubert R. Pellman & Mildred Pellman Literature Scholarship

For full-time students in the Literature and Language department, with preference to English majors.
Pellman & Lauver Scholarship

For full-time students with interest in the humanities who are preparing to make teaching a vocation.