WASHINGTON, PA (May 8, 2018)—The National German Honor Society Delta Phi Alpha selected Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) senior Michaela Culley ’18 as the winner of the National German Award for Outstanding Senior.
The National German Award for Outstanding Senior recognizes one graduating senior annually who demonstrates excellence in German Studies at the undergraduate level and is planning to further their study of German in a graduate program at a North American university.
“I was absolutely ecstatic!” Michaela said of learning about her win. “I was not expecting to be selected for such a prestigious award, and when I found out, I could not contain my excitement!”
Though Michaela wasn’t anticipating the win, she’s more than deserving. Assistant Professor of German Cathy Altmeyer, M.A., encouraged Michaela to try for the award because of her work ethic and her impressive record in W&J’s German program.
“Michaela has spent the last several years pursuing every opportunity to learn more German, to speak German with native speakers, and to visit German-speaking countries,” Professor Altmeyer said. “I recommended Michaela because of her love of the German language and culture. Her passion and drive are exactly what will make her an excellent German teacher one day.”
Michaela is well on her way to success. Following graduation from W&J, she will complete a Fulbright Austria United States Teaching Assistantship in which she will teach English at a high school in Innsbruck, Austria for the 2018-2019 school year. She already has been accepted to the graduate program of German Studies at the University of Kentucky, and will begin school there in the fall of 2019, following her Fulbright experience.
She will also be presenting at a local American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) workshop for German teachers on May 5 at Mt. Lebanon High School. Her topic will be “Using German children's literature in the classroom.”
Michaela feels her time at W&J as a German and international studies major with a minor in religious studies has prepared her for the road ahead.
“The German program here always stood out to me as a prospective student. The amount of exchange programs, the small class sizes, and the experienced professors were all signs that this was the best college for me to study German,” she said. “The overall education I have received at W&J has prepared me to be successful in anything I want to do in my future, which is something I am so proud of.”
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a selective liberal arts college founded in 1781. Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional arts and sciences curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent study work. For more information about W&J, visit washjeff.dev, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
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