By Dorian McElrone ‘25
Lauren Evans, a senior double majoring in math and Russian, was just awarded Dickinson’s 2023 ACTR’s Post-Secondary Russian Scholar Laureate. This award is given to one exemplary junior or senior student studying Russian who best embodies “an enthusiasm for and love of all things Russian” and is presented by the American Council of Teachers of Russian. The ACTR is a division of the American Councils for International Education, and partners with most U.S. colleges with Russian departments to provide resources and opportunities for both professors and students of Russian.
Evans said of her award, “I’m honored to get the post-secondary Russian scholar laureate for Dickinson. I knew in my first Russian class I was going to fall in love with the language. I’ll admit I did struggle the first couple years. I always felt like I was more behind than the rest of the students but I continued to work hard and reach out to my professors for help. I am proud of myself for not giving up and working hard to keep learning.”
Evans also said of the Russian department, “I love Russian studies, all of my Russian classes, and the Russian department because it’s really felt like a close knit family where I can rely on all the faculty and connect with other students who enjoy the language and history as well.”
The Dickinson Russian Department has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for students majoring and minoring in Russian to build connections and have continuous exposure to Russian. The Department hosts a weekly Russian table every Tuesday from 5-6, where the current Russian OSA presents on aspects of Russian culture, Russian students can practice their language skills, and native speakers and those from post-soviet countries talk about their culture and experiences. The department is also in the midst of a Georgian Event Series to commemorate its recent opening of the 2023-2024 study abroad program in Tbilisi, Georgia.
After graduation, Lauren will start a Career Development Program to become a Financial Advisor at Prudential Finance. We are so proud of her for this amazing accomplishment and wish her the best in her future studies!
