Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures

Help us Refresh the CMLC Hangout and Build Our Community!

Dear friends of the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures,

What were your favorite language-learning moments at JCU? Chances are, some of them involved movie nights, food, conversations with professors and fellow students, musical performances, or other hands-on cultural experiences… when learning felt more like hanging out! The COVID years were challenging, but our community is coming back and rebuilding. In March 2023 alone, over 125 people attended CMLC events: conversation tables and game nights, alumni networking events, and even an interactive presentation by a local muralist.

O’Malley Center 139 was a departmental hangout space for years, but in recent years it fell out of use and really needs a refresh. We’ve done the de-clutter, now we need to outfit the space! In fall 2023, we’ll open an inclusive, attractive, and student-centered CMLC hangout for film viewing, language club meetings, tutoring, conversation tables, group projects, creative work, and just hanging out. You can help us! Here’s what we need:

• Remove empty bookshelves and create display space for student work;
• Convert one wooden panel into a door that opens into the O’Malley atrium;
• Purchase new furniture: whiteboard tables with chairs on casters, whiteboard, bean bag chairs, mounted television;
• Supply language-learning games and art supplies;
• Decorate with art related to world languages and cultures.

Thank you for helping us build community among the next generation of CMLC alumni!

Julia Karolle-Berg

Chair, Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures