Keck Foundation Grant Translates Into New Language Laboratory for CSU Stanislaus


The W.M. Keck Foundation of Los Angeles has awarded California State University, Stanislaus a $440,000 grant to establish a new state-of-the-art language laboratory that will transform language learning for students and link students in Turlock with other universities in California and around the world.

Dr. Mary Cullinan, Dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences, said the grant will be used to fund the interactive computer-based language laboratory with 24 student workstations by the start of the fall semester 2003.

“We are honored that the Keck Foundation has selected CSU Stanislaus for this prestigious grant award that will enable the University to offer students language-learning technology tools,” Dr. Cullinan said. “This facility will greatly enrich our foreign language programs.”
The new digital audio and video learning center, which will be located on the ground floor of the Vasche Library Building, will enable CSU Stanislaus to link with the California State University Virtual Language Project that includes 11 CSU campuses.

“The W.M. Keck Language Laboratory will be a tremendous tool for CSU Stanislaus students and faculty because it will bring languages and cultures to life,” said Dr. Enrique Lopez Contreras, Chair of the Modern Languages Department. “This new technology gives students access to the best equipment. Having this kind of a facility is the next best thing to going to the countries where the languages we teach are spoken.”

CSU Stanislaus currently offers classes in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Japanese, Russian, Cambodian, Hmong, and American Sign Language.

The new language laboratory will replace the University’s current facility, built in 1983, that features tape players and no computer technology.

The W.M. Keck Laboratory will enable students to work independently and with others using Web resources, CDs, e-mail and chat rooms. In addition, the multimedia technology will enable CSU Stanislaus to offer language courses to students at other participating universities and to receive classes taught at other institutions.

“The achievement of this grant is the result of an excellent collaboration effort between Development and University Relations (DUR), the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences and the faculty,” said Dr. Walter Strong, Vice President of DUR.

Based in Los Angeles, the W.M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 by Superior Oil founder William Myron Keck. The Foundation is committed to supporting innovative endeavors in higher education, science, medicine and engineering.

Contact: Walter L. Strong, Vice President for Development and University Relations, (209) 667-3997