Published on May 22, 2020 by World Languages and Cultures  
The seal of Samford University
The seal of Samford University

Graduating senior Jake Williams was awarded the Distinguished World Languages and Cultures Scholar Award at the WLAC Annual Department Awards ceremony held online via video conference on April 23. 

 The award is given to a graduating World Languages and Cultures major with a minor in at least one other language, a combined 3.9 GPA or above, and who has demonstrated extraordinary service both to the department and University. The award recipient should also aspire to pursue a graduate degree in world languages or linguistics after Samford. 

Williams graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and with minors in Latin American Studies, French and German. His Senior Project focused on the concept of machismo as being a “secret code” present in Latin American culture from the 15th through the 19th centuries despite its not being defined until 1950. During his undergraduate study Williams participated in study abroad programs in Spain and Germany. He was a beloved and well-respected Language Coach in WLAC’s Grace Márquez Language Technology Forum, where he tutored students in French, German and Spanish. While at Samford he was a member of the Samford University Marching Band and Jazz Band. Because of his passion for world languages, Williams plans to work as a teaching assistant in Spain for a year before applying for admission to graduate school in the field of linguistics. 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.