NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – Kate Leach, a University of Oklahoma Honors College sophomore majoring in environmental engineering, has been named an alternate for the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship Program.
“I applied for this program because I’m taking Russian classes and I’m naturally a curious and intellectual person. So, this would be really great because I could get ahead in my field and have a valuable experience abroad,” they said.
If chosen, Leach could spend three months in Kyrgyzstan studying Russian in an immersive environment. Through this experience, they would gain the equivalent of one year of language study through the program’s intensive language and cultural instruction.
“To experience a different culture and go somewhere completely different from the status quo; these things are really interesting to me,” they said. “I’d really like to work internationally, so I’m really excited about this opportunity to practice Russian in a Russian-speaking area.”
Leach was the recipient of the 2024-2025 Honors College Leadership Award and is a member of the OU Esports team.
“Kate is one of our brightest young students and I am delighted that she has been named a CLS alternate. Here intelligence, dedication, and thoughtfulness make her a terrific representative of the Honors College and of OU,” said Brian Johnson, Honors College director of student success.
The CLS Program provides summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to U.S. national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world. The program is funded by the U.S. government and supported by the American Councils for International Education.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
Mary Margaret Holt, dean of the University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts, has been honored with the Paseo Arts Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her leadership and contributions to Oklahoma’s arts community.
With winter weather already bringing low temperatures to the state, the Oklahoma Poison Center is urging residents to take extra precautions to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning as they begin heating their homes for the winter season. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly when inhaled in large quantities, and it poses a heightened risk as people rely on heating devices for warmth during cold weather.
Thanks to support from the Chickasaw Nation, the University of Oklahoma College of Law has announced the continuation and expansion of the Chickasaw Nation – Henry Family Lecture Series. Under the new name, the event will continue to showcase thought-provoking discourse surrounding the rule of law.
