The College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University is mourning the passing of Virginia Ruifernández-Conde, an Assistant Professor of Spanish in the Department of Romance and Classical Studies. Ruifernández-Conde also was a graduate of MSU having earned her Ph.D. in Hispanic Cultural Studies from Michigan State University in 2013. She died on Feb. 19, 2024, after a fierce battle with cancer. She was 50 years old.
Ruifernández-Conde has been a member of the Department of Romance and Classical Studies faculty at MSU since 2013. She was a mentor for multiple Honors students from 2013-2022, served as the Director of Capstone Projects from 2015-2020, and was the Level Coordinator for Spanish 320.
She served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Spanish and Portuguese programs at MSU from 2006 to 2012 and was a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Spanish at Western Michigan University from 2003 to 2005.
“Since joining the department as a Ph.D. student in 2013, Virginia demonstrated a keen passion for teaching Spanish language, literature, and culture. She had a profound knowledge of Spanish pop culture that she infused into her lessons,” said Tony Grubbs, Chair of the Department of Romance and Classical Studies. “Virginia’s enthusiasm and dedication to student success grew even more when she graduated and began to work in the department as an assistant professor. Her ability to teach most Spanish classes offered by the department helped us provide a robust slate of course offerings. Most importantly, Virginia was an exceptional colleague. She was sensitive, empathetic, kind, and generous with her time. We will miss her greatly but will never forget the impact she had on all of us.”
“Virginia demonstrated a keen passion for teaching Spanish language, literature, and culture…Her ability to teach most Spanish classes offered by the department helped us provide a robust slate of course offerings. Most importantly, Virginia was an exceptional colleague. She was sensitive, empathetic, kind, and generous with her time.”
Tony Grubbs, Chair of the Department of Romance and Classical Studies
Ruifernández-Conde earned an M.A. in Spanish from Western Michigan University in 2005 and a B.A. in Humanities and Applied Languages in 2002 as well as a Postgraduate Certificate of Education in 2003, both from the Universidad de Burgos, Spain.
She focused her research on 20th and 21st century peninsular cultural studies, literature, and film; social and political movements in Spain; and globalization and transatlantic studies.
“We met about 10 years ago,” said Irma Bartolo, Instructor of Spanish in the Department of Romance and Classical Studies at MSU. “Our first conversation was over coffee, one of many that followed. We became like sisters. We took care of each other and checked on each other. We talked about everything and nothing. I feel lucky that she came into my life and chose me as her friend.”
The College of Arts & Letters wishes to extend its condolences to the friends and family of Ruifernández-Conde.
