CALL Club wins big

April 18, 2025

Courtesy image of AZCALL Conference Pitchfork Award 2025 winners

Arizona State University’s CALL Club, run primarily by students in the Department of English's Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Program, has proudly won a 2025 Pitchfork Award for their outstanding execution of the AZCALL 2024 Conference—a defining moment for the university’s language and technology community. This recognition, awarded annually to the most impactful student-led initiatives at ASU, cements AZCALL’s status as a model of excellence in academic event planning and intellectual engagement.

From left, graduate students Mohamed Almahdi and Ayako Hiasa hoist their Pitchfork Award at a celebration in April 2025. — Graduate students Mohamed Almahdi and Ayako Hiasa hoist their Pitchfork Award at the April 2025 celebration. Courtesy image.

The success of AZCALL 2024 is also partially a reflection of the leadership of Professor Bryan Smith, faculty advisor to the CALL Club and a nationally recognized scholar in computer-assisted language learning. With Smith's guidance, the 2024 conference drew scholars and educators from across the region and beyond. Keynotes by Greg Kessler and Okim Kang captivated audiences, and Luke Plonsky’s workshop on ethical research practices offered a timely and impactful contribution to the field. Every detail—from session planning to hospitality—reflected the club’s professionalism, creativity, and collaborative spirit.

The Pitchfork Award is a fitting tribute to the months of planning, tireless effort, and deep intellectual engagement that made AZCALL 2024 a standout event. Next up: The CALL Club looks ahead to AZCALL 2025 on October 4 in hopes of a repeat of the past year's successes.