Top German Studies graduates recognized

Madeline “Maddy” Wetterhall ’18 and Mitchell Bergens ’18 were the recipients of this year’s Marsilius von Inghen Award for Excellence in German Studies.

Madeline “Maddy” Wetterhall ’18 and Mitchell Bergens ’18 are the recipients of the 2018 Marsilius von Inghen Award for Excellence in German Studies.

​In announcing the awards, Associate Professor of German Scott Windham said that the quality of this year’s graduating class made it almost impossible for him and Kristin Lange, instructor in German, to choose award winners. Windham, who has taught German at Elon since 2002, noted that the many achievements of this year’s seniors — including the new Delta Phi Alpha inductees — made them the most talented class of German studies students ever.

“This award goes to two people who, in a real way, represent the achievements of this entire class,” Windham said. “Both Maddy and Mitchell pursued German proficiency not just for credentials, but because they love the German language, culture, and interactions with people.”

Wetterhall, a biology major and German studies minor, will spend 2018-19 as a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Germany. She plans to attend medical school after her year in Germany. Wetterhall developed a passion for teaching and service during her junior year while studying in Heidelberg, where she worked with Middle Eastern refugees and volunteered at a local hospital.

Bergens, a theatrical design & production major with minors in German studies and international studies, will help with the production of “Wicked” in New York this fall. In January, he will begin the master’s program in international affairs at George Washington University.