Dr. Mindy Landeck, assistant professor of East Asian Studies, challenged her Japanese language students to design greeting cards for the Lunar New Year as part of their culture study. The cards, called nengajo, were designed with the zodiac animal for the Year of the Rat.
“It is an important Japanese custom to send these greetings to the special people in your life, such as family, friends, and the people you work with,” Landeck says. The students submitted their designs, which were rated by a social media poll. The winners are first place: Jared Grotheus ’21 from Seguin, Texas; second place: Claire Craig ’22 from Houston, Texas; third place: Cynthia Zapata ’23 from Houston, Texas; fourth place: Andrew Lackstrom ’23 from Hanover, New Hampshire; and fifth place: Sophie Daniel ’23 from Houston, Texas.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. This year, the campus recognizes 100 years of co-education and has had several opportunities to recognize the history of women and accomplishments of current alumnae. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.