Six New Critical Language Scholars

Six University of Pittsburgh-affiliated students have been awarded 2015 Critical Language Scholarships from the U.S. Department of State. The scholarships enable U.S. students to further develop foreign language skills in one of 13 countries during the summer semester. 

Five of the six awardees are Pitt undergraduate or graduate students. All are  currently studying at intensive language institutes abroad.

Spencer Brown, of Williamsburg, Pa., is studying Chinese at the Beijing Language and Culture University. He is majoring in Chinese. 

Samuel Gonzales, of Sharpsburg, Pa., is studying Chinese at the Shaanxi Normal  University in Xi’an, China. Gonzales is majoring in Chinese and history. 

Christine Matt, of Carnegie, Pa., is studying Japanese at the University of Shiga Prefecture in Hikone, Japan. She will begin graduate studies in Japanese and linguistics at The University of Hawaii at Manoa this fall.

Madeline Pruhs, of Milwaukee, Wis., is studying Arabic at the Jordan Language Academy in Madaba, Jordan. Pruhs is majoring in biological sciences. 

Bennett Sherry is studying Turkish at Ankara University in Ankara, Turkey. He is a Pitt doctoral student in world history. 

Rebecca Wallace, of Albuquerque, N.M., is studying Chinese at Dalian University of Technology in Dalian, China. Wallace is majoring in Chinese and history and pursuing a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in international and area studies. 

Pitt has produced 30 Critical Language Scholarship recipients since 2007. Students are nominated with assistance from Pitt’s University Honors College, which advises Pitt undergraduate students and alumni who are interested in pursuing national and international awards.