Les étudiants du français ont préparé les expositions artistiques par la célébration : French students prepared artistic expositions for the celebration
Posted by The Skyliner on April 1st, 2009Kaelyn Pfenning
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Professor Weston Warren, fondly referred to as ‘Prof’ by his students and collegues, reads an excerpt from one of his novels during the annual French celebration on March 27. (photo by Jereme Green/ The Skyliner)
Students enrolled in French classes at North Greenville University presented during the annual French Celebration on Friday, March 27.
“All of the classes and individuals who shared were very well-prepared and did an excellent job communicating their material creatively and effectively,” Megan Taylor, senior English, said.
Through a variety of presentations, the French students exposed other students to French-speaking countries.
“[The celebration] also encourages the French students all over the world to use their imagination and be creative in expressing themselves in French on any topic that interests them,” Dr. Liliane Toss, French professor and coordinator of the event, said.
Matt Moore, sophomore intercultural studies, opened the program and introduced Salomon Diaz, French professor.
“I really enjoy the celebration each year because it is a chance for all of the French students to get to see and know each other because we do not have a French Club,” Moore said.
After a smooth opening speech and prayer in French, Diaz welcomed Dr. Dawless to the stage in Hamlin. The hall overwhelmed the fifty or so attendees.
“I wish we were in a better room a little smaller but not too small of a room like a year ago,” Moore said.
Dawless recognized the French professors and specifically Toss. Professor Bill Stuermann, head of the languages and linguistics, presented her with a bouquet of flowers in honor of all her hard work.
“I have never had a boss so kind,” Toss said.
The celebration continued with Warren, French professor, reading “une ouverture très spécial” or a very special opening.
“I liked that every class did something different to show a different aspect of French culture in different places,” Brittany Dail, junior health & wellness, said.
Following Warren, the French I class recited John 3:16 and sang a song in French.
“Car Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu’il a donné son Fils unique, afin que quiconque croit en lui ne périsse point, mais qu’il ait la vie éternelle,” Juan 3:16 dit.
Dail proceeded to speak and to sing “La Complainte De La Butte.”
“America is one of the few places in the world where most people are not bi-lingual,” Dail said. “It is always good when there is support for learning another language. It brings a cool variety of people together as well.”
“We think it’s important that we use language learning to glorify God,” Taylor said. “What better way to glorify Him than to share Who He is with others?”
The program continued with more presentations and speeches.
While the French II class took turns presenting, a mock marriage proposal interrupted the flow.
“One of the phrases the guy used to propose was ‘You are the butter to my roll,’” Taylor said.
The French II class finished with by playing a made-up African song as well as singing “Happy Birthday” to a member of the audience.
“It interested me that the people in Cote d’Ivoire make their own music and instruments,” Hope Bannister, sophomore youth ministry, said.
The celebration finished with a taste of some French desserts.
“I also assisted my Advanced French Business 2 class in preparing a dessert called Pears Belle-Helene for everyone that came to the celebration,” Dail said.
The celebration comes to NGU every spring since it began in 2006.
“It is different because the number of French students has grown,” Toss said, “Many of them are very excited about the idea and have very creative projects.”
Because of the increased number of French students, NGU added a couple of higher level French classes to the minor.
“This year, instead of inviting a speaker to give us an idea about preaching the Gospel in francophone context as we did before,” Toss said, “the students minoring in French will do a brief interactive presentation of ways to reach atheists and Muslims in the French speaking countries.”
As a Christian university, NGU attempts to incorporate Christ into every academic area, including the language of French. Toss contributes through her inclusion of Christ into her French classes.
“I have always considered the knowledge of a foreign language as a precious gift from God,” Toss said.