Last week, the Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society hosted Global Festivities, an event celebrating the cultural diversity of New Year traditions around the world.

Col. Jeff Kendrick, professor of French in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, has been named director of the Office of Global Education. Since his arrival at VMI in 2013, Kendrick has served in a variety of roles, including special assistant to the dean for permit and calendar.

A group of VMI cadets recently journeyed to the China Folk House Retreat in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where they immersed themselves in traditional Chinese culture.

Dr. Sabrina Laroussi, associate professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, discusses books about the world of Latin American drug trafficking called “narconovelas” on the public radio program, “With Good Reason."

Dakota Birdsong ’24, a modern languages and cultures major, has taken his skills with bagpipes from VMI Spirit Night, to Lexington events, and even to Troy, Ohio, where he is the piper for the American Legion. This March, he will look to add to his collection of medals for his musical skills..

Two of VMI's own were recognized as members of the All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team for the 2023-24 academic year. The All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team recognizes those who have demonstrated service to their schools and made contributions to campus life and community.

Three French films will be shown as part of the 2024 Spring Albertine Cinémathèque film series. The film series aims to expands access to French cinema and supports film programming at American colleges and universities.

A group of high school students and Virginia Military Institute cadets had the opportunity to learn Arabic over the summer, thanks to a $141 thousand grant called funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) to the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at VMI.

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures and the Dean’s Academic Speakers Fund at VMI present five French films as part of the 2023-24 Albertine Cinémathèque film series, which expands access to French cinema and supports film programming at American colleges and universities.

Caitria Catania ’24 has been studying Spanish for eight years, but after taking a Spanish literature class with Col. John Cerkey this past spring, her love of analyzing Spanish poets grew.