Student Spotlight: Noah Johnston

A recipient of the Conrad J. Schmitt Scholarship, Noah Johnston is in his third year at Montclair State University and is a double major in linguistics and French with a concentration in translation. He plans to go into the fields of interpreting, translation, or possibly higher education.

“I am beyond honored and flattered to have received this scholarship award,” says Noah. “It means that the hard work I am putting into my department and my studies is being noticed and recognized, and it is strong encouragement for me to continue giving 110 percent in all that I do.”

The Conrad J. Schmitt Scholarship provides financial support to students who are majoring in a program of world language study in either the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures or the Department of Spanish and Latino Studies in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Professing a long-held passion for languages, Noah is interested in languages spoken now and in the past and eager to discover ways that speech evolves and why. “I have always loved learning the etymology of words to see where they’ve come from and see how they are used in today’s speech. I think it is fascinating to see the migration of words even from different languages enter in new ways,” he says. “This perfectly puts into perspective how vastly large yet uniquely connected the world can be.”

Noah says he was drawn to Montclair State in particular because of its wonderful language department that, although smaller compared to other institutions, is incredibly involved in the community and has professors with their own wealth of knowledge and professional experience.

“I hope to be a good example for all those at Montclair State who are curious and passionate about languages,” he says.

He has learned immensely useful skills not only from his courses but also through his involvement and leadership in campus clubs and societies, including serving on the French Club – Le Cercle Français and also working as a resident assistant. He is proud to have earned Dean’s list and to have been inducted and active in the national French Honor Society, Pi Delta Phi, which recognizes outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literatures.

“I cannot wait to explore what the world has to offer and what I can give and share in return, and I am ever so grateful for the kindness that has helped give me and many other students support in the right direction.”