MCLL Commencement Awards

Amanda Gaffney 

Amanda is a stellar student, leader, and researcher committed to global engagement. She earned a dual degree in Arabic and National Security and Foreign Affairs, with a minor in Spanish. Her dedication to language learning earned her a scholarship for a semester abroad at the American University in Cairo, and after graduation she will study advanced Arabic at Middlebury College’s intensive summer program. She plans to pursue her master’s degree in Intelligence and International Security at King’s College in London in the Fall.

Sean Rombach

Sean Rombach is graduating with dual degrees: a B.A. in Public & Urban Affairs with an emphasis on Smart and Sustainable Cities and a B.A. in German, as well as minors in Landscape Architecture and Geographic Information Science. He is being recognized as the Outstanding Graduating German Major 2025 for his exceptional academic achievements and deep engagement with the German Program. In his majors and minors, Sean has demonstrated a keen ability to integrate his linguistic and cultural studies with pressing issues surrounding urban sustainability.

Sean has excelled in advanced German coursework, studied abroad at the Technical University of Braunschweig, and actively contributed to the German Program through peer tutoring and participation in cultural events. His interdisciplinary approach to his studies reflects his intellectual curiosity and commitment to meaningful scholarship. Recently accepted to top urban planning graduate programs, Sean’s achievements exemplify the qualities honored by this distinction. We wish him all the best for his next endeavors!

Addison Glozer

Addison Glozer is the 2025 Outstanding Italian Minor for the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures.  Addison is currently completing her B.A. in Physics with minors in Italian and International Relations.  During her undergraduate career, she participated in the Presidential Global Scholars program at the Steger Center in Ticino, Switzerland. After completing that program, Addison continued her work with the Steger Center, first as a program assistant, and then International Education Intern and Steger Center Ambassador Coordinator to Blacksburg for the 2024-2025 academic year. She plans to continue her education in the Master of Public and International Affairs program here at Virginia Tech.

Maani Patel

Maani Patel is one of two Outstanding Spanish Majors this year. She has earned an impressive dual degree: a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.A.F.L. in Spanish, with a perfect 4.0 overall GPA.

Maani studied abroad with the VT in Spain program and currently serves as social media chair for the Spanish Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi. For the past two years, she has used her Spanish as a volunteer tutor for Spanish-speaking students at a public school in Blacksburg, in addition to volunteering in medical facilities. She plans to apply to medical school this summer and has a medical assistant position, along with a medical mission trip, lined up for the next year.

We are delighted to recognize Maani for her extraordinary academic work, for her service to the community, and for her plans to use Spanish to serve a diverse community through her medical practice.

Ashton Ingle

Ashton Ingle has taken full advantage of her time at Virginia Tech. While her work in the classroom has been outstanding, it’s her work around Campus that makes her stand out.   

         In spring 2025, she has been actively engaged in undergraduate research with Dr. Gudmestad working on the early stages of a linguistics project focused on first-language speakers of German learning Spanish as an additional language. 
         In 2022, Ashton participated in the VT in Spain Study Abroad program. Since then, she has played a key role in promoting the program, organizing events for prospective students and consistently encouraging her peers to pursue study abroad opportunities. Her enthusiasm and advocacy for international education are truly inspiring.
         In addition, Ashton has served as president of the Hispanic Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi, for the past two years. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its outreach and hosted more events than in previous years, all aimed at celebrating and promoting Spanish language and culture. Her passion, dedication, and steady guidance have left a lasting impact—her leadership will be missed.

Kevin Chen

My name is Kevin, and I’m a senior graduating this May with a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics. In the last four years of undergraduate, I have been fortunate enough to interact with many people while serving in Dining Services, tutoring for the math department, and being a TA for the Department of Computer Science. I have also received scholarships from the Honors College and the College of Science, including the Kimball Award and the Robert Earl and Herbert Earl Spencer Scholarship. Outside of major studies, my classes in Japanese Studies are amongst the most enjoyable classes I’ve taken here. I first went to Japan in 2019 for an incredibly memorable trip, and I may be going again

James Clark

James Clark is an outstanding student with a deep interest in the Russian language and Russian culture. From his first encounters with Russian in the elementary course, he has demonstrated an enthusiasm for learning and a commitment to developing his language skills. He chose to participate in Virginia Tech’s summer study abroad program in Latvia twice, and he made the most of the opportunity to expand his language proficiency and cultural competence. In addition, as a student in the Russian Flagship program, James was an eager participant in all the events and activities that were offered. For instance, he was one of the few students to attend the weekly homework/conversation hours almost every week. James is an exceptional student who displays all the qualities one could hope for in any language learner: aptitude, diligence, flexibility, and intellectual curiosity.