Thanks to a generous gift from Professor Joel Walz (UNC B.A. in French, 1969), the Romance Studies department will soon be offering an annual fellowship to assist undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in France or Quebec. The fellowship of up to $1,500 will support students participating in credit-bearing programs focused on the study of French language, linguistics, culture and literature. The opportunity will be open to UNC undergraduates in the College of Arts & Sciences who have completed at least two years of French language study, with priority consideration given to French & Francophone Studies majors and minors and Education students seeking certification to teach French.
Professor Walz’s $50,000 gift and generous bequest reflect his profound commitment to education in French Studies. In addition to his B.A. from UNC, Professor Walz holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in French linguistics from Indiana University and taught for many years in the French program of the University of Georgia at Athens. A specialist of second language acquisition, he is the author of many articles and books on teaching and learning French.
The department of Romance Studies is deeply grateful for Professor Walz’s generosity and excited to offer this opportunity to our students.