Pro Lingua Award

What is the Pro Lingua Award?

The Pro Lingua Award acknowledges an individual outside the field of Foreign Language education who has fostered the study of foreign languages in our state and/or in our nation and who has been outstanding in his/her support for languages and global education. Established in 1995, the Pro Lingua Award was designed to honor and give recognition to those in the community who support Foreign Language education. The individuals and groups that go above and beyond to encourage Language learning but are not directly involved in language education are those we hope to honor with this award. 

Pro Lingua Award Nominations

Please consider nominating a worth individual or worthy individuals for the Pro Lingua Award. 

Nominees may be in the field of education, but it is not a requirement. They must have actively promoted Foreign Language study and/or international exchanges and understanding at the local, state, or national level.  They must be outside the field of Foreign Laguage education. 

The award has been received by other educators, family members, administrators, business, and even government officials. 

Nominations should include:

• Name, position, address and telephone number of the teacher being nominated and of the person presenting the nomination. 

Nomination Form

• A description of the candidate's contributions, activities, service and leadership which have led to this award. 

• must also include letters of reference from at least two additional people who can testify that the candidate has demonstrated support for language and global education. 

Send 2026 Nominations to: Mary Ann Crow

All nomination materials are due postmarked by May 1, 2026.

Past Recipients of the Pro Lingua Award

2020 Lodee Arnold, Kirsten Baesler, Erin Oban, Seal of Biliteracy Champions

2015 Mrs. Kathy Hill, Media Specialist; Red River High School, Grand Forks

2011 Mr. Bill Strasser, ITV Director; Washburn

2007 Mr. William "Pro" Prokopyk, Lt. Col.; USA (retired)

2006 Newman Signs

2006 David Hoffmann and Deanna Aanderud, designed the MSU FL website

2005 Maryvonne McQuade, Bismarck; French teacher and native speaker

2004 Celia Sattler, Bismarck

2001 Kathy Vestal, promoter of German, Williston

2000 William and Mary Lou Marshall, Parents of French students; Minot

1998 Sharon Rezac Anderson, Advisor to the International Students and Director of the International House at UND; Grand Forks

1997 S.R. Lacher, DPI State Foreign Language Curriculum Coordinator; Bismarck

1995 Robert Kulack; Associate Principal, Red River High School