Spanish & Portuguese Program Awards
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese promotes student work in the language through a yearly awards program to recognize student achievement in the language and are presented at the Spring awards ceremony.
THE MOISES AND LUCÍA IGEL LANGUAGE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (PORT 205)
Description: An award of $100 for the best PORT 205 portfolio. Requirements: Each instructor will select two portfolios per section, nominating two students for the award. Each portfolio will include samples of quizzes, exams, homework assignments, etc., that show dedication, quality, and growth. Portfolios are due during the 12th week of the semester. The portfolios will be evaluated by a selection committee that will choose the winner assessing the quality of all of the included materials in the portfolio. Dates: Awarded to the best portfolio of the entire academic year. Award to be given at the Spring Awards Ceremony.
THE JOSÉ EMILIO PACHECO ESSAY AWARD (SPAN 301 & SPAN 306)
Description: An award of $150 for the best editorial essay.
Requirements: The winning essays will be selected from the best editorial essays in Spanish 301 and 306 from Taller de escritores 3C (Taller de escritores pp. 99-101). In addition to the themes suggested in the assignment, students may choose a problem from their community (UMD, the city, state, etc.), present their opinion and contrasting points of view that they will refute with their argument (possible solutions, etc.). Each instructor will explain in more detail the guidelines for the essay in class and will choose a maximum of two compositions per section and the selection committee will select a winner from both fall and spring semesters. Dates: Awarded to the best editorial essay of the entire academic year. Award to be given at the Spring Awards Ceremony.
THE SANDY CYPESS AND ROBERTA LAVINE RESEARCH AWARD (SPAN 303)
Description: An award of $150 for the best research essay by a SPAN 303 student.
Requirements: Each instructor will nominate a maximum of two essays per section of the first draft with visible correction marks turned in by the students for the award. The committee will evaluate all of the essays with the appropriate rubrics and select the winner. Dates: Awarded to the best research essay of the entire academic year. Award to be given at the Spring Awards Ceremony.
SPAP GRACIELA NEMES OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD (SPANISH MAJORS)
Description: An award of $500 for a Spanish Major in their senior year.
Requirements: The candidates will be chosen based on letters of recommendation written by faculty members (at least two). The letters should highlight both the student’s academic achievements in the department, as well as their commitment beyond the classroom. The selection criteria must be clearly defined (CV, # of 400-level classes, community involvement, etc.) Dates: Annual award given at the Spring Awards Ceremony.