Notre Dame of Maryland University Modern Language Club records

The Modern Language Club’s (MLC) undated constitution states its purpose as “to stimulate an interest in the culture and language of other countries; to keep direct contact wherever possible with other countries.” An article in the October 27, 1941, issue of Columns announced, “For all students interested in French, German, Italian and Spanish a modern foreign language club has been organized with the heads of each department as moderators...The group has been divided into four sections corresponding to the four languages.”

During the 1940s, MLC programs included presentations of classic fairy tales in their original languages, singing of folk songs, and other short skits in the various languages at the meetings of their sections. MLC also participated in postwar European relief drives. Other activities in later years included a dramatic reading of “Madman on Saint,” translated from Spanish (1958); a faculty speech on “The Life of an Artist from Italy to America” (1958); presentations by Italian students attending nearby universities (1959); a program called “Education Coming and Going,” featuring students from Korea and Argentina, as well as Notre Dame students who had studied abroad (1965); a “Coffee and Conversation” program called “Theatre of the Absurd: An Informal Inquiry” (1966); a guest speaker on “Friendship Mexico” (1967); an “International Mardi Gras” (1968); and a number of international Christmas parties over the years.

It is unclear when MLC ceased to exist, but there is no mention of them in the archives after 1968.