Madison, Wis. (May 9, 2007) – Edgewood College today announced it has just received a federal Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant totals more than $57,000.

Officials at the College say they plan to use the funds to develop a Latin American Studies Program.

“As part of this initiative, we will foster an interdisciplinary approach to Latin American Studies,” Professor Andrea Byrum said. According to Byrum, Co-Director of the College’s Center for Global Education, ten faculty members will participate in a seminar on Latin America and then study in Mexico and Peru, allowing them to better develop courses and research opportunities for students.

The grant will also enable Edgewood College to strengthen its Spanish Program, and to improve language instruction, Byrum said. A Latin American Studies minor may soon be offered for students as well.

The Project Director will be Andrea Byrum, along with Associate Project Director Ian Davies, Chair of the Foreign Language Department. Larry Laffrey, Co-Director of the Center for Global Education, will also work on the project by developing study abroad opportunities for students.