Foreign Languages

2010-2011 Profiles

Brittney D. Barker ('10)
After graduating with a degree in Spanish in December 2010 and earning teaching licensure, Ms. Barker taught Spanish at Cookeville High School for a few years. In an August 2016 update she said, "I'm currently living in Philadelphia, Penn., and traveling the world as a flight attendant with a major U.S. carrier. I plan to continue this career indefinitely!"

Rachel Burock ('10)
Ms. Burock graduated with a degree in German in May 2010. She spent three summers in Frankfurt, Germany and traveled extensively throughout Germany and Austria. She was awarded Magna Cum Laude status from the National Scholars Honor Society, and she was a member of the Tennessee Tech Color Guard Club.

Ms. Burock plans to find a career after graduation and possibly attend graduate school to receive a degree in International Relations concentrating in Foreign Languages and Technology.

Sam Matson ('10)
Mr. Matson graduated with a Spanish degree in May 2010. While attending Tennessee Tech, he was the Secretary and Treasurer of Alpha Mu Gamma, and a DJ for WTTU in 2009-2010. He also coached Varsity Soccer at Cookeville High School where he had the opportunity to work with native Spanish speakers.

Mr. Matson's immediate plans following graduation include continuing to coach soccer while preparing for graduate school. He hopes to further his studies in literature and philology.

"I have enjoyed my time as a student of foreign languages at Tennessee Tech. The courses, faculty, and other students have all been top-notch, and my experience here has influenced my desire to continue my studies in Spanish."

Update - 01/27/12: Sam is currently studying for his M.A. in English at Tennessee Tech.

Shealyn Morgan ('10)
Ms. Morgan graduated with a degree in Spanish with Teaching Licensure in May 2010. While attending Tennessee Tech, she was a student worker for the Department of Foreign Languages and a member of the Amigos club.

Upon graduation, she hopes to teach Spanish at a school near Cookeville and eventually plans to learn enough French and German to teach those as well. She would also like to get a doctorate in Linguistics and teach at the college level.

"My entire experience in this department has been a positive one. There is a friendly, warm, and helpful atmosphere here that you can feel almost as soon as you get to the top of the stairs. I wish I could stay and take more classes in this department!"

Jake Vidourek ('10)
Mr. Vidourek graduated in May 2010 with degrees in both Music (with a concentration in Performance) and German. While attending Tennessee Tech, he took three trips with the Foreign Language Department: two to Berlin, Germany, and one to Wien, Austria. He was awarded a scholarship from the Music and Art Department for four years and received the Gehman Scholarship from the Foreign Language Department. He was a member of the German Club, Alpha Mu Gamma, Mu Phi Epsilon, and CMENC of which he was secretary, president, and Tennessee State Secretary.

Mr. Vidourek's immediate plans following graduation are to travel to Vienna, Austria on a Fulbright Scholarship where he will teach English and research the construction of the Wiener Oboe. Following the Fulbright, he intends on pursuing a degree in Oboe Performance and German at the graduate level. Eventually, he hopes to teach at the university level and construct oboes.

"I feel very well prepared by the Department of Foreign Languages and am grateful for all of the wonderful opportunities I've had while here!"

Marshal White ('10)
Mr. White graduated in May 2010 with degrees in History and German. He spent time studying abroad in Germany while attending Tennessee Tech.