May 20 , 2005 Print this page

Back to School for Teacher! La Salle Economics Prof. Mark Ratkus Earns M.A. in Spanish Bilingual/Bicultural Studies to Broaden Classes

Thirty six years after earning his first degree from La Salle University, Dr. Mark Ratkus, an economics faculty member there since 1973, received his second diploma, this one for a graduate degree in Spanish Bilingual and Bicultural Studies.

In 1994 La Salle’s Economics Department introduced a new major, “Economics and International Studies,” in which students were required to take several foreign language courses. “I felt it unfair of me to require my students to take a foreign language when I had never done so,” said Ratkus. “I chose Spanish because of its practicality with today’s growing Latino population.”

He began taking Spanish classes that year. The area was a marked departure for Ratkus, whose original interests focused on Asian economies.

“Mark felt he could not require a student to do what he has not done,” said Dr. Glenn Morocco, former Director of La Salle’s Bilingual/Bicultural program at La Salle, who is now retired. “He has such a sense of justice and that comes across in his teaching.”

Morocco says Ratkus is one of the most devoted teachers he has ever met, so it was no surprise to him when Ratkus went from professor to student.

In 1997, after several Spanish courses, Ratkus enrolled into the Bilingual/Bicultural Studies, which is designed to educate working professionals in various levels of Spanish language and cultural sensitivity. Among other courses, the program offers art, literature, and the economics of urban minorities.

For Ratkus, the program not only helped him learn Spanish and develop a stronger cultural awareness, but it also helped him relate better to his students.

“I am more aware of the challenges faced by adult learners,” said Ratkus, who lives in Philadelphia’s Olney section. “Being back in the classroom as a student has me more in tune with the demands people are facing as they are trying to earn their degrees.”

Being more in tune with demands that students are facing, Ratkus has been able to give better advice on juggling hectic schedules.

“I talk more to my students about issues outside the classroom now, and together we can find ways to manage the outside demands as well as the demands of the coursework,” he said.

Ratkus took his schoolwork as seriously as his teaching and worked diligently at perfecting his Spanish language skills.

In 1996 his devotion to cultivating the Spanish language and studying the economic development of other countries led him to spend a month in Costa Rica. In 1999 he studied in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and in 2003 Ratkus traveled to Argentina and Guatemala where he developed an even better grasp of the language.

“Being in these other countries really helped me learn the language and study their economy. Poverty and economic development is all a part of the spectrum that needs to be explored as part of an international studies curriculum,” said Ratkus.

For his final project to earn his degree, Ratkus’ research has helped identify resources regarding job placement and language skills for Philadelphia’s Latinos.

As he prepares to graduate, Ratkus looks back over the eight years it took to get to this point.

“Like anyone, I am relieved that something so long in the doing is completed. I was pulling research together for my final paper and the date on the bottom of some pages was 2001—no wonder I have so much relief,” said Ratkus, whose road to graduation was stalled for a time while he battled cancer (he had to take a leave of absence, but is fine now).

Upon graduation, Ratkus looks forward to implementing what he has learned. He hopes to develop course work focusing on the economy of Latin America.

“Despite severe obstacles, Mark never lost his focus,” said Dr. Morocco. “He really puts his heart and soul into La Salle University and into his students,”