PCAL Modern Languages

Western Kentucky University offers a variety of programs for students to showcase what they have learned. One program offered in the WKU Department of Modern Languages is a two-year sequence of Russian (101, 102, 201, 202), taught by Professor Ekaterina Myakshina. Undergraduates generally take these courses to supplement their current coursework with Russian language instruction or to fulfill the requirements of the minor in Russian and East European Studies. However, juniors and seniors of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science take the sequence as a part of a STEM + Critical Languages pathway and often go on to pursue undergraduate degrees in Russian at other institutions based on their knowledge base gained at WKU.

Recently, Gatton Academy students took part in the 40^th National Russian Essay Contest (NREC) under the direction of the Professor Myakshina. This program is organized annually by the American Councils of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) and allows students to showcase their writing skills in the Russian language. In fall 2021, students took part in an essay about friendship and had two hours to write as much as possible in Russian cursive handwriting. This kind of contest allows students not only to demonstrate what they know but also apply it to a real-world context.

The results received highlighted six Gatton Academy students. Nathan Turlington and Madison (Brooke) Haden received gold medalsa, Thomas Kolb received a silver medal, Hayden Flickinger and Barrett Gibbs received bronze medals, and Brendan White received an honorable mention for their essays. The WKU Department of Modern Languages is very proud of these students and the major accomplishments of these Russian language students.