University of Montevallo Professor Emeritus Richard Thames is the recipient of the 2017 Founders’ Award for the Alabama World Languages Association (AWLA).
The AWLA urges educators to contribute to the betterment of foreign language study across the state.
Thames taught courses in German language, literature and culture at UM for 34 years. He also served as the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages for 15 years. Shortly after his retirement from UM, Thames was named professor emeritus of German.
Prior to his retirement in 2001, Thames held such positions as president of the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers, president of the Alabama Association of the Teachers of German and chair of the Alabama Consortium for the Advancement of Foreign Language Education in Alabama.
Thames accepted the award during the annual AWLA conference at Auburn University in February.
He gave a brief acceptance speech reflecting on the many decades he spent as an educator and advocate for foreign language in Alabama.
“While there will always be new challenges, I am very proud to have played a part in promoting and advocating for foreign language study in Alabama. Finally, I wish for you all much success, now and in the future,” said Thames in conclusion.