Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society
For study in a Classical or Modern Foreign Language
Phi Sigma Iota, the international foreign language honor society, was founded in 1922 at Allegheny College. The Beta Delta chapter was installed at Santa Clara University in 1982. The society recognizes remarkable ability and achievement in languages, literatures, and linguistics. It stimulates advanced work in these fields, fosters intercultural understanding, and promotes a spirit of amity between our own people and other peoples of the world.
Awards
The following honors and awards are given out based on nominations from the faculty of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Students cannot apply for these awards.
Richard F. Rebello Phi Sigma Iota Award
Award or prize: Prize amount varies
Senior specific: yes
Description: Established in 1986 by the family of the late Richard Rebello, a longtime University staff member, these awards are given by the Modern Languages Department to senior language majors for outstanding accomplishments in the study of a foreign language and culture. Awards will be given in three language major categories: French, Italian, and Spanish
Minimum requirements for eligibility of membership in Phi Sigma Iota:
- Declared Major or Minor in a classical or modern foreign language
- Junior or Senior status
- Completion of four (4) upper-division courses in a language by Winter quarter of nomination year
- Minimum GPA of 3.50 in language courses
- Overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
Awardees:
2023 - FRENCH: William Martinez; SPANISH: Malik Williams; ITALIAN: Ursula Roscigno
2022 - FRENCH: Mariella Beaurpere; SPANISH: Caitlin Toth; ITALIAN: Not awarded
2021 - FRENCH: Claire Thoms; ITALIAN: Grace Lin-Cereghino; SPANISH: Madeleine Doyle
2020 - FRENCH: Mia Hope; ITALIAN: Sydney Altobell; SPANISH: Erica Martinez
2019 - FRENCH: Kimmie Meunier; ITALIAN: Sabina Zacco; SPANISH: Mike Gomez
2018 - Jenna Salinas
2017 - Maria Magdalena Quiroz Hernandez
2016 - Laura Heppell and Elizabeth Sherwin
2015 - Emilie White
2014 - Kyra Sjarif
2013 - Katherine Edgecumbe
2012 - Maria Guzman and Kristina Woodcock
2011 - Yajaira Morales and Francisco Yanez
2010 - Jessica Rice
2009 - Janna Goebel and Kathryn Ranney
2008 - Catherine Waite
2007 - Therese Mathis and Mary Scudder
2006 - No award presented
2005 - Gemma Landeza and Marshall Mort
2004 - Larkin Philbin
2003 - No award presented
2002 - Charlotte Vallaeys
2001 - Diana Bushnell and Juan-Carlos Orellana and Ruth Robledo
2000 - Eric Brilliant
1999 - No award presented
1998 - Sara Garcia and Erin Kimura
1997 - Maki Kanayama and Rima Lanning
1996 - Bridget Birkby and Laura Sewell
1995 - Nancy Nakatani and Kim Schneider and Rose Valles
1994 - Kathleen Goforth and Caroline Zodrow
1993 - Piero Isola and Sarah Jones
1992 - Rachel Cohen and Kenneth Schwartz and Giulia Carcione
1991 - Catherine Kuchera
1990 - Christopher Bowen and Michelle Markham
1989 - Katrina Li
1988 - Jeanette Davis and Christine Fierro
1987 - Deborah Whalen
The Celeste Fritchle Award
Award: Prize amount varies
Senior specific: Yes
Description: Established in 2003 by the friends and family of the late Celeste Fritchle, a longtime University staff member, this award is given by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures to a senior student with a declared major in Modern Languages and Literatures who has excelled in the study of more than one foreign language.
Awardees:
2023 - Gabriel (Brendan) Webb, Angelica Alvarez
2022 - Carmen Ocazionez
2021 - Kenneth Gabel and Grace Gibson
2020 - No prize awarded
2019 - Hannah Zahn
2018 - Aleria Amaral
2017 - No prize awarded
2016 - Maria Magdalena Quiroz Hernandez
2015 - Ashlyn Brundy
2014 - Laura Kevranian
2013 - Rebecca Ann Carruthers and Ana Maria Burgos-Solis
2012 - No prize awarded
2011 - Laura Murillo
2010 - Cassandra Illich
2009 - Daniel Filice
2008 - No prize awarded
2007 - Billie Parish
2006 - Sarah Korte
The Pancrazio and Giulia Infantino Italian Studies Award
Award or Prize: Prize amount varies
Senior specific: Senior only
Description: The purpose of the Pancrazio Infantino Italian Award is to cultivate and encourage the pursuit of the Italian language and culture at Santa Clara University. In allocating funds for this award, preference will be given to students who have an understanding of the experiences, values, and traditions of Italian culture, primarily demonstrated by a declared major in Italian, but also with respect to participation in Italian cultural programs, such as Casa Italiana or an Italian immersion experience.
Awardees:
2023 - Gabriella von Esmarch
2022 - Not awarded
2021 - Gabriella Ballardo
2020 - Amanda Wucher
2019 - Joshua Kendall
2018 - Prize not awarded
2017 - Emma Farrell
2016 - Mary Basile
2015 - Ashlyn Brundy
2014 - Daniel Gherardi
2013 - Marie Galetto
2012 - Julia Detweiler
2011 - Stephanie Mazzoncini
2010 - Cherie Austin
2009 - Michael Salemi
2008 - Paolo Braccini
2007 - Salvatore Rancadore
2006 - Stephanie Pocino
The Geoff & Josie Fox German Award
Award or Prize: $500
Senior specific: yes
Description: The Geoff & Josie Fox German Studies Award recognizes excellent overall achievement in the study of German. It is given to an outstanding German student who has completed intermediate German and studied in a German-speaking country. Furthermore, it acknowledges the student's critical awareness of the diversity of these countries as well as her or his contributions to the promotion of German on and off campus.
Awardees:
2022 - Franziska Heilig
2021 - Anne-Claire Tande
2020 - Jolivet Henning
2019 - Said Hassan
2018 - Francesca Hellebrandt and Max Rauenbuehler
2017 - Aleria Amaral
2016 - Naemi Kuehn
2015 - Taylor Wakefield
2014 - Scott Wheaton
2013 - Christina Keating and Amy Tamayo
2012 - Laura Sylvan
2011 - Curtis Wheaton
2010 - Jennifer Mock
2009 - Benjamin Snyder
2008 - No prize awarded
2007 - Therese Mathis
2006 - Kimberly Essen
The French & Francophone Studies Prize
Award or Prize: Prize amount varies
Senior specific: yes
Description: Award will be given to a graduating senior with a declared major in French & Francophone Studies, who has shown academic excellence in the study of French and Francophone language, literature, and culture.
Awardees:
2023 - Bianca Romero, Naiya DeLaure
2022 - Chloe Stedman
2021 - Catherine Golinvaux
2020 - Henry Godfrey and Alexis Miller
2019 - Tess Gunnels and Sophie Pollock
2018 - Trent Carlson and Laurel Fisher
2017 - Ariana Cvitanic and Claire Gutowsky
2016 - Erika Kent
2015 - No prize awarded
2014 - Amanda Waldron
2013 - No prize awarded
2012 - Adam Ringler
The Francisco Jiménez Scholar Prize
Awarded to: Junior (rising Senior)
Award amount: Prize amount varies
Description: This award recognizes outstanding accomplishment by a rising senior, first-generation student who represents Prof. Jiménez’s indefatigable passion for learning and compassion for others. A preference will be given to students majoring or minoring in Modern Languages, Ethnic Studies, or Latin American Studies with future plans to become a teacher, writer, or scholar.
Awardees:
2023 - Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca
2022 - Valery Marin Revolorio
2021 - Jacqueline Ramirez
2020 - Gloria Sevilla
2019 - Erica Martinez
2018 - Héctor Martínez
2017 - Jason Nguyen
2016 - Thelma Valádez
2015 - Angelica Delgado