News: Department of World Languages and Cultures
![mourners laying flowers in front of photos at vigil](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/media/image/2023-12/Flowers_BSS2264.jpeg?itok=AERgwKGC)
A vigil honored Patricia Navarro Velez, Jerry Cha-Jan Chang, and Naoko Takemaru, who were killed in a campus shooting Dec. 6.
![framed photo of woman at vigil](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/media/image/2023-12/Naoko%20Takemaru%20D75305_026.jpeg?itok=jOzBkqCZ)
The Japanese studies professor inspired students with her high standards and kind approach.
![collage of portraits of a man and two women](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/media/image/2023-12/Chang_Navarro_Takemaru.jpeg?itok=0ztzeywY)
Community support will fund future scholarships in accounting, information systems, and Japanese studies.
![Graduates seated in red caps and gown during a previous UNLV commencement](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/D73082_099_NC.jpeg?itok=muTSb_w2)
An enduring commencement tradition continues this spring as UNLV president honors seven outstanding students who exemplify the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.
![portrait of woman](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Elena%20Gandia%20Garcia.jpg?itok=mkpxQj5F)
Professor Elena Gandía García created a service-learning class to address the need for medical interpretation services for the Lied Pediatric Clinic and served as a mentor to colleagues.
![Deborah Arteaga headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Arteaga_D70174_34.jpg?itok=jhz7D3s2)
UNLV Spanish professor Deborah Arteaga volunteers to provide valuable medical interpretation services to under-served patients.
![view of UNLV building with city in background](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/series/main-image/2020-04-06_GUA_00041.jpg?itok=5FVTnFWQ)
The university recognizes faculty and student for their work to improve the wellbeing of Southern Nevadans.
An enduring UNLV end-of-semester tradition is to highlight exceptional students who embody the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.
UNLV Honors College student Nathalie Martinez reflects on the stories and impact of Latinex artists.
Triple-major Martha Amaya’s research explores the interactions between policing, public policy, and crowd science.
![award recipients](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/OCE.jpg?itok=8DdP0S8L)
UNLV faculty and students honored with Service-Learning, Community-Based Research, Faculty/Staff Outreach, and Student Service awards.
![couple at desk filled with holiday cards](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/HolidayCard_Schmeidel.jpg?itok=ag90wzN5)
Faculty/staff donations to the annual holiday card tree fund have been providing scholarships for 50 years.