The German Studies program celebrated another successful year and awarded Rising Stars, Achievement Awards and Inductions into the National German Honor Society.
Johnson Hall was filled with laughter, languages, and memories on May 14, 2026, when German Studies held their annual end of the year celebration.The evening, hosted by German Studies faculty Scott Windham and Kristin Lange, began with rounds of thank yous and appreciation to Elon’s German Studies Advisory Board and the , many of whom were in attendance.
Six Rising Stars in German Studies were awarded this year. Rising Stars are new students in the German Program who have impressed the faculty with their progress, dedication and curiosity regarding German language and culture. This years awardees are:
- Katherine Ragan
- Hannah Reeves
- Sasha Ronsayro
- Marshall Sears
- Elizabeth Walters
- Madison West
Moving from newcomers to seniors in German Studies, we welcomed 13 new members to Delta Phi Alpha, the national German Honor Society. Delta Phi Alpha was founded in 1929, and Elon’s chapter聽Upsilon Omikron was established in 2018. We welcome the following students to Delta Phi Alpha:
- Colin Blount
- Fiona Hodge
- Haley Johnson
- Elisabeth Holmes
- Tori Layton
- Brooke Allen Menzock
- Sarah T. Moore
- Patrick Tuohy
- Zoe Richardson
- Matthew Rostan
- Taylor Salmon
- Elina Shah
- Cayden Williamson
The German Studies faculty also awarded three students with achievement awards. The Marsilius von Inghen Award was awarded to Tori Layton and Haley Johnson. The award recognizes Tori and Haley’s excellence in German language proficiency, cultural competence, and undergraduate research. The award was named after Marsilius von Inghen, the first president of Heidelberg Universit盲t, which both, Tori and Haley, attended during their semester abroad.
Sarah T. Moore was awarded the inaugural Moffitt-Newman Award.聽The Moffitt-Newman award recognizes academic achievement and sustained service to the German program. It is named for the earliest instructors of German at Elon, Emmett Moffitt and the Reverend John Urquhart Newman, who taught German beginning in the 1890s. Moore started learning German at Elon, and has taken it every year. She has also been an officer of the German Club and its president in 2025-26.
The festivities were accompanied by a delicious spread of German-inspired food put together by Elon’s Harvest Table, including Sp盲tzle and Schnitzel.