Leslie Michelle Brooks ('08)
Leslie was born in Nashville and graduated from Cookeville High School. In the Fall of 2005 she attended the International Business School in Rennes, France on the Magellan Exchange Program.
Avery Edwards ('08)
Hermitage, TN
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Avery was born in Murfreesboro, TN and raised there and in Hermitage. She graduated from Hume Fogg Academic High School in Nashville. Avery spent Spring 2006 studying at the University of Eichstätt-Ingolstatt, Germany on the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). In addition to her B.A. degree in German, Avery has also completed a B.S. degree in Secondary Education-German.
Avery is the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Teaching Assistantship and will spend 2008-9 teaching English in Berlin, Germany. She is only the second student in TTU history to receive a Fulbright award (and both were in German!)
Before she left for Germany in September 2008 Avery wrote to Dr. Marketta Laurila, the department chair:
"I could not have been better prepared for my time spent
abroad by the German program and faculty at TTU. I learned that
immediately when I arrived in Eichstaett and began to communicate with Germans on a daily basis. I was so well-prepared lingually and
culturally. Dr. Weidner, Dr. Campana, and Dr. Evans did such an incredible job as my educators and mentors, and I can already see that Dr. Baker is going to be wonderful as well. Without them, I don't think I could have gotten the Fulbright. Dr. Barnard also was so incredibly helpful throughout the whole process. I couldn't have done it without her belief in my ability and her willingness to spend hours and hours with me.
I have felt very supported by the entire FL department, and I really appreciate all that you have done for me through the last five years. It is a fabulous program, and TTU students who make it part or most of their college careers are so lucky."
John Ryan Egly ('08)
Louisville, KY
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Ryan completed two degrees: in German and in Mechanical Engineering, the main reason, he says, that he received a good job offer from the German firm, Schott AG, which is "a leading international technology driven group whose base product is special glass."
Ryan was born and raised in Murfreesboro, TN and graduated from Riverdale High School there. In 2006-2007 he studied at the University of Trier, Germany on the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). While st TTU Ryan did internships at WWOOF (world-wide opportunities on organic farms), H.E. Parmer, and Mahle GmbH.
After graduation Ryan wrote: "Knowledge of a foreign language has opened many doors for me, and, more importantly, has exposed me to a different world. The Foreign Languages Department at Tech made it all possible!" Ryan expects to be sent to Germany in September 2008 as part of his work for the Louisville, KY affiliate of Schott AG.
Lindsey Grissom ('08)
Birmingham. AL
Lindsey completed a double major in English and French.
She was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Oak Mountain High School there. In high school she spent 14 days in France (Paris, Provence, Côte d’Azur) and then, while at TTU, spent a semester studying in Grenoble, France (with weekend trips to Switzerland and Germany). She also spent a week in Paris. After graduation she plans to be Assistant Director of Summer Camping Programs at Camp Sumatanga for summer. In 2008-9 Lindsey will be teaching English in the area of Grenoble, France for a year, after which she plans to attend law school.
Michelle Lowe ('08)
Murfreesboro, TN
Michelle completed two degrees: Biology and German, and she graduates in cursu honorum.
She was born in Krugersdorp, South Africa and grew up both there and in Murfreesboro, TN. She graduated from Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro. Her travels include three TTU-sponsored trips: Spring Break in Berlin as part of the Berlin Seminar, Spring Break in Vienna as part of the Vienna Seminar, and a trip to Ireland with the Honors Program. She also spent parts of summers in England, Italy, and Germany. After graduation Michelle will be attending Vanderbilt Graduate School for a degree in biomedical engineering and then work in industry in that field. She would like to work for a German company in that field. At graduation Michelle wrote: "The Foreign Languages Department has been SO good to me. The people are all so caring. I did the German major for fun, and it was hard work, but also the best decision I have ever made!"
Jonathan Mahan ('08)
Smithville, TN
Jon was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was raised there and in Smithville, TN where he graduated from DeKalb County High School. In Spring 2007 he attended the Spanish Language School in México.
Lindsey McEwen ('08)
Kingsport, TN
Lindsey was born and raised in Kingsport, TN and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School there. While at TTU Lindsey was a volunteer tutor for Hispanic children at Jere Whitson and Park View Elementary Schools in Cookeville. After graduation Lindsey plans to return to Kingsport and teach Spanish at the middle or high school level.At graduation Lindsey wrote: "The FL department at TTU has been very supportive of me and of my education over the past four years. The professors and support staff have been very encouraging and always helpful when I had questions or problems. I have enjoyed each course that I have taken in the department. The professors know their content and they teach it in a way that encourages critical thinking and that has challenged me to explore the Spanish language and the various associated cultures. The Foreign Languages Department at Tech has made me a life-long learner and has helped me develop a passion for my major. Spanish is not just another thing to memorize and study for me; it has become an important part of my life. After studying Spanish at Tech I have a broader knowledge and understanding of other cultures. Thanks to my professors for investing their time and energy in my education."
Stefan Padillo ('08)
Matthew Tabers ('08)
Matthew was born in Martin, TN and raised in Brentwood, where he graduated from Brentwood High School.
Joshua Bordes ('08)
Erika Burnham ('08)
Alaska
Erika was a member of the TTU Rifle Team while working toward degrees in both French and German.
Evgenia Yartseva ('08)
Evgenia was born and raised in Korolev, Moscow region, Russia. She is a member of TTU’s tennis team.
At graduation she wrote: “I would like to thank everybody, who helped me during three years of college. Without the help of all my professors it would be impossible for me to graduate. Thank you very much. I loved my experience of being a student at Tech, majoring in a foreign language. It was great.”
