Events | Arts and SciencesMarch 29, 2023

UAFS Presents a Vision without Limits

The World Languages Department at UAFS will celebrate a world without limits this week.

On Friday evening, as part of the Sin Limites initiative, the Languages and Music departments will present an evening celebrating the rich rhythms of Latin sounds. On Saturday, the fourth annual Spanish and L2 Teachers Symposium will offer new insights into teaching second languages for area educators and education students.

“Both events reflect the mission of the World Languages Department to promote a world-embracing vision in our students, our campus, and our community,” said Dr. Mary Sobhani, World Languages Department head.

On Friday, March 31, A Night of Latin Rhythms will begin at 7 p.m. in the Windgate Art & Design building. The UAFS Jazz Catz, Women’s Chorus, and soloists will perform. The event is free and open to the public.

“We all know that music is spiritual food for the soul and heart,” Sobhani said. “By spotlighting Latin American music, Latin jazz, sambas, bossa novas, among others, A Night of Latin Rhythms offers a richness of sound that may be unfamiliar to Arkansas and Oklahoma residents.”

Admission to the musical event, part of the Stacey Jones Season of Entertainment, is free and open to the public.

“We hope this concert raises multicultural awareness, celebrates the beauty of diversity, and informs attendees about musical traditions from beyond our nation’s borders,” Sobhani said.

Saturday’s symposium is a forum for learning and sharing, Sobhani said. It is designed for language teachers, teachers-to-be, and those interested in second language acquisition. As such, it will bring together UAFS students and graduate students with second-language and ESL teachers from area secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

The day begins with continental breakfast at 8 a.m. in Windgate Art & Design. Registration is required and can be completed at the door. 

The keynote speaker is Dr. Elena Foulis, assistant professor and director of Spanish for heritage language at Texas A&M at San Antonio. She has directed the oral history project Oral Narratives of Latin@s in Ohio since 2014. She is the host and producer for the related Latin@ Stories podcast. Her research explores Latina/o/e voices through oral history and performance, identity and place, ethnography, and family history. 

The day will feature presentations and poster presentations from regional educators and students, and lunch is included as part of the day.

Symposium director Dr. Lynda McClellan, assistant professor of world languages, notes that the symposium offers opportunities for juniors and senior education students to participate in a professional event.

“We’re excited that a number of our upper-level students have been accepted to present their research as part of the Poster Session,” she said. “These include Eden Akins, Gloria Mendez, Dany Morales, Sophia McClain, Ben Sherer, Addie Evans, and Gaby Hernandez Donato.”  

The day ends at 3 p.m., allowing participants time to enjoy the Symphony on the Green, presented by UAFS and the Fort Smith Symphony. This event begins with the Jazz Band and Jazz Catz at 3:30 p.m. At 5 p.m. the Symphony will perform popular symphonic pieces and music from Broadway and cinema.

The Sin Limites events are supported in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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