As of next year, JC will no longer offer Russian as a language option for students.

According to Foreign Language Department Chair Danica Attanasio, “in the last five years or so, interest in studying Russian has declined and incoming freshmen have not chosen to study Russian.”

Four years ago, Russian 1 was not offered to students, which allowed the program to “phase out,” according to Attanasio.

When the Russian program ends, Russian teacher Ed Miller will also retire from teaching Russian. “Fewer and fewer candidates each year [caused the program to end],” Miller said. “JC could not afford to support such classes. I totally agree with the school’s decision.”

“It’s sad that the program is ending next year, but a good way for Mr. Miller to wrap up his career here at JC,” senior Haley Kyger, who is in the last JC Russian class, said.

According to Attanasio, “The department cannot thank Mr. Miller enough for everything he has done for the Russian program at John Carroll.”

Billy Jump is a Copy Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.