Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures University of Toronto
We are delighted to announce the recipients of this year’s Undergraduate Awards in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures. These awards recognize outstanding achievement in German Studies, including academic excellence, language proficiency, and leadership in community engagement. Please join us in congratulating the following students for their exceptional contributions and accomplishments.
Leadership & Community Engagement in German Studies Award
Aditi Kolluru
As President of the German Studies Student Union in the academic year of 2024-25, she has led the executive committee with dedication – overseeing budgeting, administration, and student initiatives that promote German culture and community. Previously, as the Union’s Director of Communications, she managed all outreach and publicity to ensure wide engagement with departmental events. Beyond German Studies, Aditi serves as the Representative for the Hart House Finance Committee on the Board of Stewards, the highest governing body of Hart House, where she contributes to planning events and promoting financial literacy. Her commitment to leadership, volunteerism, and building connections across communities makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award.
Excellence in German Studies Award
Brian Finn
Brian is a dedicated and accomplished student in German Studies, known for his academic excellence and creative engagement with the field. He has completed many 300- and 400-level courses with excellent marks. Beyond coursework, he has participated in a reading group and a research assistantship under Dr. Markus Stock, focusing on the depiction of the underground in medieval German texts. As his interests largely lie around the intersections of German Studies with other fields, he combined queer theories with the environmental humanities to determine medieval underground spaces as queer heterotopia from Germanic texts. Brian has also presented at international German-language conferences and brings innovative approaches to language learning as a teaching assistant in the Multilingual German Lab.
Julien Levit
Julien is a second-year student majoring in German and minoring in Philosophy and Literature and Critical Theory, with additional coursework in Ancient Greek. Deeply inspired by German literature and philosophy—especially the works of Thomas Bernhard and Nietzsche—Julien aspires to pursue a PhD in German or Comparative Literature. Currently enrolled in GER150 and GER205, his passion for the language and its literary traditions has led him to explore German poetry dating back to the 12th century. His enthusiasm for both classical and modern texts continues to shape his academic journey and deepen his engagement with the field.
Rudy Yuan
Rudy Yuan entered the German Department three years ago as the only first-year student in GER400 without a German-speaking background or experience in a German-speaking country. Since then, he has pursued a major in German Studies alongside International Relations, connecting the two fields through projects like a German security policy brief for GSSU journal Zeitgeist, participation in iPRAKTIKUM in Freiburg, and research on sustainable food supply systems in security policy. His experience in Germany with iPRAKTIKUM deepened his commitment to Ehrenamt, which he now carries forward as the leader of U of T’s first public transit advocacy group. With strong academic performance, including A+ grades in all three German courses last semester, and a deep engagement with both literary and contemporary topics, he has made a lasting impact on the department.
German Language Prize
Bijan Davis, 2nd-year Economics student
Bijan quickly distinguished himself in the GER100 course after joining in the winter term, consistently earning top marks. His written work, especially his Aufsätze, demonstrates strong grammar and creative language use. While his in-class participation is moderate, he regularly seeks individual feedback, showing a strong commitment to improvement. His interest in German culture is clear through his engagement with course materials and discussions.
Cary Kan, 2nd-year Physics specialist
Cary has shown remarkable dedication in balancing her physics degree while actively learning German. Her strong interest in German film has driven noticeable improvement in her language skills through consistent engagement with German cultural media. Her progress and passion make her a standout candidate for the award.
Changkun Jiang, 4th-year Computer Science student
Changkun has shown remarkable growth and dedication in the study of German. With active class participation and a strong interest in German language and culture, he stands out as a motivated learner who plans to continue his studies in Germany.
Charlie (Changlin) Jiang, 2nd-year student in Political Science and Ethics, Society & Law
Charlie has shown outstanding performance and enthusiasm in the GER100 course. He demonstrates above-average proficiency across all language skills and is one of the most engaged students in class. His active participation fosters meaningful discussions and supports his peers’ learning. Charlie’s commitment is also reflected in his thoughtful use of office hours, where he asks detailed, reflective questions. His interest in German and Austrian politics further enriches his engagement with the course.
Hannah Burnett, 1st-year Human Biology major
Fatoumata Binetou Camara, 2nd-year International Development Studies major
Both recipients are outstanding and dedicated students, currently holding a 92% average, the highest in the class. They consistently demonstrate strong engagement and interest in the subject through active participation, thoughtful questions, and punctual attendance. Their work is honest, high-quality, and shows a clear commitment to continuous improvement.
Reza Homayounmehr, 1st-year Computer Science student
Reza has demonstrated strong commitment and curiosity throughout GER100. With excellent attendance and active participation in group work and discussions, he regularly asks insightful questions that spark meaningful conversations in class. His consistent academic excellence across all assessments reflects both his deep interest in the language and his solid understanding of course content, making him a well-deserving recipient of this award.
Robert Purcaru, 4th-year Engineering Science student
Robert has distinguished himself in the GER100 online course through his dedication and enthusiasm for all aspects of the learning materials. He has never missed a class and consistently engages with insightful questions—a rare quality in an online setting. His strong progress reflects his commitment and initiative, especially evident in his written work. His thoughtful contributions have also helped create a dynamic and supportive online classroom environment.
Theodore Kneen, 1st-year Math & Physics student, Philosophy and Environmental Chemistry minor
Theodore has shown outstanding performance and dedication to German language learning in the GER100-level course. He is an engaged and thoughtful participant, contributing insightful questions-especially around complex grammar-that enrich class discussions. His collaborative spirit is evident in his support of peers, and his strong interest in German culture shines through his consistent engagement with course materials.
Thomas Galligan
Tom, a U of T alumnus with a B.A. and JD from the 1980s, has been a dedicated and inspiring member of the course. In his 60s, he is taking it upon himself to learn a new language, showing remarkable commitment and consistently pushing his learning to the limit.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all recipients of the 2024–25 Undergraduate Awards. Your hard work, curiosity, and dedication to German Studies enrich our academic community and inspire those around you!
