1977
Emeritus Prof. Gregorio C. Martín starts the first WFU Spanish immersion program in Madrid (Spain).
WFU Salamanca history
1978
Prof. Gregorio C. Martín relocates the program to Salamanca, a smaller and more pedestrian-friendly city. Wake Forest starts to collaborate with the University of Salamanca, which is the oldest university in Spain, established back in 1218.
1978
Dr. Candelas Gala takes the lead of the program.
Emeritus WFU professor of Romance Languages Dr. Candelas Gala.
2004
Prof. Tanya Davis stays for one more semester in Salamanca leading the Spring 2004 group.
2004
Prof. Manuel González de la Aleja from the University of Salamanca oversees the program for two semesters.
2005
After spending 7 years working for International Studies Abroad (ISA) and 5 years as Spanish professor at Cursos Internacionales de la Universidad de Salamanca, Javier jumps in to help WFU Salamanca as the first On-Site administrator, while the WFU professor needs to leave the country because of an emergency.
2005
Former Salamanca student, Kate Hitzhusen, serves also as liason with Wake Forest and Javier during Fall 2005 and Spring 2006.
2005
WFU rents for the first time a space in Salamanca, providing students with a place to study, have a coffee, access the internet, and communicate with On-site directors. The Salamanca WFU Center is located in Calle Dr. Piñuela, right around the corner of the Plaza Mayor.
2006
Prof. Jane Albrecht returns to Salamanca with Fall 2006. With Javier, this is the first semester in which the program has two Professors on-site with the students.
2007
This picture was taken Valencia during the “Fallas” with Prof. Encarna Turner as Resident Professor.
2007
During Fall 2007 WFU Salamanca moves to a new and much bigger space located in Calle Toro, very conveniently located halfway from host families and classes. The space needs a lot of renovation, but the result is great. Now the Center has two classrooms, one kitchen, several study spaces, one library, 3 bathrooms and a spectacular terrace in quiet area.
2007
The first victor painted by Javier on the walls of the new WFU center is devoted to all the previous groups that couldn’t take advantage of Wake Forest space in Salamanca. From now on, all semesters receive their own and unique “Victor” to remember and recognize their study abroad in Salamanca.
2008
Second biggest group of students in Salamanca during Fall 2008 with Prof. Anne Hardcastle. By then she didn’t know that she would become Associate Provost for Academic Affairs of Wake Forest University.
2009
Prof. Brian Price and his family come to Salamanca with a group of students in Spring 2009.
2010
Prof. Rebakah Morris comes back to Salamanca, now as Resident Professor leading 16 students. During this semester WFU Salamanca offers the first science course to students; Biochemistry.
2010
WFU and USAL sign the first agreement for a mobility program for professors and researchers.
2010
Javier gest the first permission to visit the inside of the old library of the University of Salamanca with Fall 2010.
2011
Dr. Candelas Gala signs the first agreement with “Salamanca Ciudad del Español” promoted by the City Hall of Salamanca. The major of Salamanca welcomes the WFU group into its reception room. Wake Forest is finally recognized as an established study abroad program in the city.
2011
Prof. Claudia Porcel joins the Salamanca team to serve as tour guide on all the group trips.
2011
Prof. Marta Salvador Tato joins the Salamanca team as Cultural Instructor replacing Claudia.
2011
Prof. Kathryn Mayers comes to Salamanca with her family as RP for a whole year and for the first time.
2012
Dr. Irma Alarcón comes to Salamanca as RP for her first time and stays for two semesters.
2013
Prof. Margaret Ewalt enjoyed her return to Salamanca as RP with Fall 2013. She had been in the city as a student with Colby University.
2014
Fall is the last semester of Marta with the program and the first of Fernando, our new cultural Director.
2015
Fall 2015 marks the first-ever all-girls group. This semester is particularly noteworthy as one of our students, Meredith Cheatwood, creates a stunning mural on the terrace of the WFU Center that fuses elements of the WFU campus with Salamanca. It takes her four months to finish, and the outcome continues to be cherished by all the students who come to see it.
2016
Dr. Candelas Gala returns to Salamanca to direct the program for three semesters in a row.
Spring 2016
Fall 2016
Spring 2017
2018
A fresh logo was designed for the program, merging the two shields of WFU and USAL, set upon a Victor symbolizing the triumph of numerous students who traveled to Salamanca to study the Spanish language and culture.