Bessy Wins SCICU Teaching Award

(cont’d) This event represents for me the essence of MLL, a department I now have the honor of chairing. As we showcase in this year’s Palingual, the ideals of The Furman Advantage—providing a transformative education, building lasting connections and helping communities thrive—are deeply entrenched in our departmental ethos and practices. I hope this year’s newsletter will not only inform you about the latest in MLL, but also inspire you to reflect anew on your own journey at Furman and beyond. Above all, let this remind you that we treasure our connections with you, whether they span four years or forty. And please join us at Homecoming—we promise food, fun, laughter and lively conversation!

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1 Spanish majors Megan Probst ’17, Lizzie Kean ’17, and Emily Gale ’17 visit with Professor Angélica Lozano-Alonso. 2 Spanish majors Alex Forrest ’17 and Warren James ’17. 3 Professor Marianne Bessy and Professor Emeritus Harlan Patton celebrate with new French graduates Plicca Watt ’17, Haley Hughes ’17, Emma Waters ’17, and Colleen Cosey ’17. 4 Former MLL administrative assistant Linda Ray and Chair Linda Bartlett catch up. 5 Alexandra Harris ’17 and Bailey Freeman ’17 receive a sendoff from Anne Culberson. Photo credit: Bill Allen Marianne Bessy and the Furman contingent after the SCICU banquet.

By Bill Allen

Each spring, the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) organization celebrates the best in liberal arts teaching in the state by recognizing outstanding teachers known for their dedication and creativity. For 2017, Furman chose Associate Professor of French Dr. Marianne Bessy as its honoree, citing her passion for mentoring students by engaging them in co-curricular activities, helping them secure internships and advising them on post-graduate plans. “I am deeply honored to be recognized for my dedication to providing our students with meaningful high-impact activities (internships, French House, Study Abroad, etc.) that align with The Furman Advantage vision,” says Dr. Bessy.

Dr. Bessy was recognized at the annual SCICU banquet in Columbia April 24, 2017, at a dinner attended by her husband, Associate Registrar James Patton, Dean of the Faculty Ken Peterson and other colleagues and friends. Recipients of the award were presented with a plaque and a $3000 professional development grant; Dr. Bessy plans to use her award to enroll in an Oral Proficiency Interview tester workshop with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages next summer. Félicitations, Marianne!