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Only six weeks into her first year at Lafayette, Maria Mitova ’09 (Sofia, Bulgaria) knew she wanted to pursue EXCEL Scholars research. The international commerce major is now hard at work translating French interviews and articles from the Jewish community in Dijon, France.
She is collaborating with Robert Weiner, Jones Professor of History. Weiner has researched the people of Dijon for 12 years. He has visited the region with study-abroad groups and established friendships with many members of the community.
Mitova is working to translate the many interviews Weiner has conducted. She also is translating articles from Mazal Nov, a monthly journal issued by the Jewish Cultural Center. Mitova, who speaks five languages and is currently learning Spanish, has conducted interviews and conversations with Weiner’s French contacts.
“While translating and relating the different points of view, I learned about the importance of first-hand sources for history making,” Mitova says. “I have translated interviews with university professors, dentists, politicians, and people from the street, all sharing different experiences from different time periods.
“One of the most interesting people to study was Nadia Kaluski-Jacobson. I admire her for her strong spirit during all the years of social injustice and for her willingness to share her story with the new generations by lecturing to schools and at conferences. She impressed me also with her dreams and her determination to fulfill them despite the difficulties. A woman of character, open-minded, and absorbing everything new with a courageous smile.”
Mitova is continuing similar work undertaken by international affairs and French double major Laura Sims ’07(Farmington, Conn.). Their translations will be part of a book Weiner is planning with Richard Sharpless, professor emeritus of history, tentatively titled “An Uncertain World: The Jewish Community of Dijon, France.”
“It will be a collection of interviews and articles of communal journals from the last 25 years, plus a long introduction on French-Jewish history and the Jewish community of Dijon,” explains Weiner. “There’s nothing quite like it in English, actually.”
Social issues, particularly French politics regarding minorities in the country, always fascinated Mitova. She believed Weiner’s research on the Dijon community was the perfect opportunity for her to explore her interests. According to Weiner, Jews have been Europe’s prototypical minority community. Studying them allows historians to learn about not only the minority group but also about the larger society in which they live. Escalating conflict in the Middle East has caused increased concerns for Jewish communities throughout Europe. His contacts in Dijon are providing unique perspectives on current world events.
Weiner has been impressed with Mitova’s language and analytical skills and plans to continue doing research with her until she graduates. Mitova first had Weiner in an introductory history class and was impressed with his enthusiasm and the personal attention he gives to all his students.
“Professor Weiner is an excellent collaborator and mentor, and a wonderful man as well,” she says. “A single class is sufficient to see his passion for history and his desire to touch the students beyond the readings. I remember that I even cried in his class. We were studying Elie Wiesel’s Night, and Professor Weiner used his personal life to explain to us the importance of faith in the cruel situations that we face in life.”
“Maria is just off the scale,” adds Weiner. “She just has a passion for learning of all kinds. She is easily a full year ahead of herself. She will do research with me for as long as she’s at Lafayette. I’m figuring out ways to not allow her to graduate! Her spoken French is better than mine and I’m fluent – it’s incredible.”
Mitova, who plans to pursue a career in developmental economics for an international organization and an eventual master’s degree, believes her EXCEL research will broaden her worldview and expand her language skills.
“Maria will have an extraordinary career, no matter what she does,” Weiner says. “It’s a joy and a privilege to interact with students like Maria Mitova. She’s also just a wonderful, sensitive adult.”
Mitova will spend the spring of her sophomore year in the Bard Globalization and International Affairs program in New York City, which combines three courses with an internship experience. She plans to study abroad in a Latin American country in the fall of her junior year. She will be a peer adviser for international first-year students this year as part of International Students Association. She also is a member of European Club, History Club, Volleyball Club, and Forensics Society. She volunteers at the Spring Garden Children’s Center in Easton and works on campus in Kirby Sports Center as a fitness assistant; Skillman Library’s circulation department; Office of Public Information as an office assistant; and as a French tutor.
An award-winning teacher, Weiner has presented his research in journal articles and at conferences such as the annual meeting of Western Society for French History, which included his paper in its selective proceedings. His excellence also has been recognized by The Teaching Company, which videotaped 36 of Weiner’s lectures in August 2004 and made them available in a series titled “The Long 19th Century: A History of Europe, 1789-1917.”
In Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. The program has helped to make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.