This past June, the Slavic Department celebrated the 12 graduates and seven award winners at the Departmental Convocation and Awards Ceremony. For most students, their degrees of study within the Slavic Department had been a goal since adolescence, and four students shared this experience.
“It was one thing I was certain I wanted to do at UW,” Anika Fung, a graduate of the Russian Language, Literature, and Culture B.A., said.
While Fung had been interested in Russian language and culture for as long as she could recall, she began learning the language at age fourteen. At university, she wanted to learn to speak and read the classics of Russian literature.
“When I discovered that UW offered a program that combined language, culture, and literature, I knew it was the right choice for me,” Anthony Veneziani, another graduate of the Russian Language, Literature, and Culture B.A., said.
While his fascination with other cultures and languages was always present, taking a Russian course at a local community college solidified Veneziani’s interest in Russian culture. Veneziani’s passion evolved after enrolling in his first Russian language course and provided him the opportunity to connect with classmates of similar interests.
“A major like GLITS builds your critical thinking skills, and that's something that will serve you well in any path you choose to follow,” Tahlia Neely, a graduate of the Global Literary Studies (GLITS) major, said.
After coming to UW with a skillset garnered towards English, Neely wanted to expand her subject studies to history, translation, and the politics of literature.
“Aria Fani's ‘Politics and Poetics of Translation’ course was foundational to my UW experience. It was one of my first GLITS classes, and it shaped the way I thought about every other class I took from that point onward,” Neely said.
The students of this year’s graduating class continue to prove the importance of curiosity and literature, and the connection of these things to life. From faculty relationships to student successes and accomplishments, these individuals have made their impact on the department.