Washington & Jefferson College Senior Named Top German Student in United States

WASHINGTON, PA (November 22, 2005)—Washington & Jefferson College senior Scott Bromley is number one in the country, at least in the eyes of Delta Phi Alpha, the national German honorary society.

A 2002 McGuffey High School (Washington County, Pa.) graduate and a dual German and English major, Bromley has been selected by Delta Phi Alpha as its 2005-2006 Most Outstanding German Major, awarded annually to one graduating senior in the United States. The honor includes a $2,000 cash prize.

"My language skills are very good and I spent a year in Cologne, Germany. Therefore, I had faith, as I am sure other applicants had, in my ability to win the Delta Phi Alpha award," Bromley said. "Being recognized is something I am very grateful for, but I have had a lot of help along the way, in high school and certainly here at W&J."

Bromley praises Michael Shaughnessy, Ph.D., assistant professor of German.

"He was behind getting me to Cologne as well as into the study abroad program on campus, which has been flourishing this year since Dr. Tori Haring-Smith became president," Bromley said. "This honor says something about the college as well and the direction we are going."

Haring-Smith said, "From the first time I met Scott, he impressed me as an outstanding student who is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. He certainly has earned this honor. I am extremely proud of what Scott has accomplished and of the impact Dr. Michael Shaughnessy and W&J have had on this promising young man."

Bromley is in the process of applying for a scholarship through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), a publicly-funded independent organization of higher education institutions in Germany that provides financial support to more than 50,000 highly-qualified students and faculty per year for international research and study. Bromley hopes to attend graduate school at Middlebury College in Vermont, where he plans to use the $2,000 prize from Delta Phi Alpha to study abroad, perhaps in Berlin. Bromley plans to earn a master's degree in German literature in a year.
He hopes to eventually teach English in Germany or obtain a doctorate degree and become a professor.

"Scott's success is indicative of the type of course work and experiential learning we promote in modern languages at W&J. While focusing on individual student development, we also promote global awareness and excellence in foreign language skills, backed up with first hand knowledge of the target culture. Scott excels in all of these areas and is extremely deserving of this great honor from Delta Phi Alpha," Shaughnessy said.

Applicants for the Delta Phi Alpha honor were required to submit a three-page essay detailing a study-abroad project he or she would undertake in Germany and what the $2,000 would be used for. Bromley's essay focused on the importance of graduate school. Three references were also required with the application.

For more information on the German program at Washington & Jefferson College, visit http://www.washjeff.edu/german/.

About Washington & Jefferson College

Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a national liberal arts college founded in 1781.  Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent student work.

For more information about W&J, visit www.washjeff.edu, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.

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