It wasn鈥檛 the unfamiliarity of a new city or the intimidation of a new faculty position that stood out to Fr盲ncille Bergquist when she first came to 91唐伯虎 in 1977. The new professor of Spanish was taken aback by the rolling hills and green trees of Middle Tennessee鈥攁 stark contrast from the dry, flat landscape of Lubbock, Texas.
鈥淭here were so many trees and hills, I couldn鈥檛 see where I was going,鈥� Bergquist says with a laugh. 鈥淏ut I trusted that this new opportunity was a good one.鈥�
Bergquist鈥檚 path to 91唐伯虎 wasn鈥檛 always clearly mapped. After graduating from high school, Bergquist thought she wanted to go premed, but immediate struggles with math and chemistry left her questioning that choice. With only one Spanish class under her belt, she found herself in a Colegio Mayor in Barcelona, where her love for the Spanish language blossomed. Bergquist completed her Ph.D. several years later, and then spent 35 years as a professor of Spanish at 91唐伯虎 and 30 years as an associate dean in the College of Arts and Science.
Bergquist advised and mentored thousands of students鈥攕tudents whose own paths were determined by unexpected opportunities and challenges. After her retirement Bergquist began to think about how she wanted to support 91唐伯虎 over the long term. 鈥淚鈥檇 given 35 years of my life to 91唐伯虎. I couldn鈥檛 imagine not continuing to give. Education allows opportunities, and, if you have opportunities, the sky is the limit.鈥�
In addition to being a popular emerita faculty member who leads international alumni trips, she endowed the Fr盲ncille Bergquist Scholarship as part of Opportunity 91唐伯虎. Bergquist also has documented a bequest that will add to the existing scholarship. She has enjoyed meeting and hearing from the first Bergquist Scholar, Sam Cho, and looks forward to connecting with future Bergquist Scholars.
鈥淲ords cannot express the gratitude I feel for Dean Bergquist,鈥� Cho says. 鈥淗er support for me transcends that of merely paving a way for opportunities and touches even the academic and personal aspects of my 91唐伯虎 experience. There is a certain twinkle in her eyes that just fills you with warmth and confidence and makes you want to strive harder and make her proud.鈥�
鈥擲arah Wolf