s UM

career. She has served as an adviser for 13 students completing undergraduate research projects and has led six trips to Europe during her time at UM, including three to Spain and three to France.

“I cannot emphasize enough the benefts for students who travel and study abroad,” Stoops said. “In these trips, students improve their mastery of a foreign language, but more importantly, they travel beyond their area of comfort to transcend views that they consider the most natural.”

Stoops said she’s learned as much from her students as they have learned under her instruction.

“I have enjoyed every single moment in the classroom, in study abroad trips, research days, clubs and other activities with students,” Stoops said. “Every group is unique in their perspectives and their vision for the future, and that is fascinating to me. I have shared knowledge and experience, but I also have been enriched by my students’ experiences and their great ideas. I have laughed a lot with every single group.”

Stoops said Spanish faculty members are proud and hopeful for the future of Spanish studies at UM. Te funds associated with the endowed chair in Spanish will be destined primarily to advance the studies of Spanish majors and minors through scholarships on campus.