Foreign Languages Department welcomes new professor

By Amber B. Carter

Similar to college freshman, Dr. Adriano Duque (pronounced “doo-KAY”) is beginning his first year here at Rider.

Between meeting new colleagues and getting involved with extracurricular activities, Duque knows this all too well.

Duque is experiencing his first year of being a part of the Rider staff in the department of Foreign Languages and Literatures department. Although he was born in Italy, he lived in Spain for sometime.

During his residency in Spain, he graduated from a high school in Seville where he also received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Seville. He later attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he got his doctorate’s degree.

Duque got his first taste of teaching in eighth grade after having been a substitute for a third-grade teacher.

“Fate drove me to teach. It was not something I always wanted to do. It so happens it was a great job, and I really enjoyed it.” Duque said.

Duque has been teaching for 10 years since he came to the United States in pursuit of the American dream. His last job was at Kenyan College in Ohio.

“I came to Rider University because it’s a great school and I like the internationalization program. It is very appealing and it opened a lot of opportunities for Rider students in the future.”

During childhood, his favorite subject in school was literature. An interest in medieval literature and foreign languages also influenced his decision to teach. He speaks many languages such as Latin and Greek which were his major at the University of Seville in Spain.

During the spring semester, he will be teaching Spanish 1 and Intro to Spanish Literature. He currently teaches Spanish 1 and 3. In addition to those courses, he teaches the class he has a zest for — Medieval Literature.

When Duque is not teaching he enjoys his hobby of book writing, reading medieval literature or watching his favorite television show This Old House.

Every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Duque, along with others, leads the Spanish Conversation Table in Cranberry’s. The Spanish Conversation Table allows students to practice their Spanish speaking skills, discuss culture, language and current issues, as well as meet and interact with other students and professors from the Spanish Department. This is a great opportunity to see Duque’s passion for teaching firsthand.

“I like the field I am in,” Duque stated “and could not picture myself doing anything else”