Modern and Classical Languages

The Blair Hanson Language Learning Center memorializes the life’s work and generosity of Dr. Blair Hanson, Professor of French at Allegheny for forty-two years (1939-81), and chairperson of the Department of Modern Languages for over a quarter of a century (1954-81). Her bequest to the Department, together with additional funds provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Allegheny College, created the Language Learning Center (LLC) in 1998, in renovated space on the third floor of Ruter Hall, a classroom building on the National Register of Historical Places.

The third-floor space accommodates a multipurpose computer lab, a service desk and lounge area, a small group classroom, a software development room, several offices, and restrooms. The LLC houses a collection of foreign audio and video recordings and a language tutor station. The computer lab contains nine student stations equipped with Dell computers, instructor’s station, multimedia projector, and two HP LaserJet printers. The lab serves as the department’s language laboratory, as well as a public lab open to all students pursuing individual tasks, such as email, writing papers, or doing research online.