Brenda Hershey, '14

Brenda Hershey was in the process of deciding which language to pursue for the next three years and beyond, and influenced by her cousin, spontaneously registered for Arabic classes a week late.  Her long term goal was to become fluent in a language she could utilize and incorporate into her broader interests: international peace, politics, and humanitarian rights.  As an international studies major with an area focus in peace and diplomacy, Brenda has diligently engaged herself on campus as President of the Arabic Club, created in the fall of 2014, and tutored LEAP students her freshman year.  She has become familiar with several dialects of the Arabic language, specifically the Gulf dialect, in addition to the Modern Standard Arabic taught in classes.

Brenda is greatly honored to receive this award and wishes to thank her Arabic instructor Amira Orr for guiding her through the past three years of Arabic.  Without Amira, the only Arabic professor at Wright State, there would not have been an Arabic program and Brenda wouldn’t have discovered her passion for this beautiful language.  She has very much enjoyed being a small part of expanding the Arabic program at Wright State with Amira, and hopes to see it continue to advance over the coming years.
Brenda wishes to travel and pursue Arabic by involving herself with the roots of the language: Middle Eastern culture, religion, and people.