Personal & Mission Statement
Born April 30, 1955 in Hannibal, Missouri and married Eve Lendway in 1977. We have two adult sons. Started German at the age of 14 in High School in Quincy, IL and wanted to teach German. Completed B.A. at Western Illinois University with junior year in Baden bei Wien. 1977-1979 German and math teacher at Victor J. Andrew HS, Tinley Park, Illinois. M.A. and Ph.D in German, University of Iowa, 1989 including teaching and research assistantships and a study-abroad scholarship to Tübingen.
1987-1991 visiting professor at Grinnell College. 1991-2020 sole professor of German at Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH. Taught every level of German language, but also literature and culture courses, translation and intercultural communication. Sabbatical and workshops in Germany on pedagogy, intercultural communication, business German, summer Fulbright on German reunification and a seminar with German authors living in Berlin. Faculty leader of 5 student trips and founded exchange with Universität Osnabrück. Organizer of frequent community cultural events: Oktoberfest, German-American Kulturabend, Adventsfeier, Weihnachtsfest, organized speaker for the Marting Lecture Series in the Humanities. Frequent guest on the German-American Radio Hour, 90.3 FM on WCPN in Cleveland. 2019 named Malicky Chair in the Humanities by the Baldwin Wallace faculty.
My entire professional life has been dedicated to promoting better global awareness and helping Americans work toward intercultural competence through language acquisition. I’ve been a tireless advocate for promoting German language and culture and see GAHF as an opportunity to continue these efforts. I would be happy to cooperate any way I can, particularly as a liaison with academics. I could assist in the organization and holding of events promoting German-American understanding. I would start with my institution (formerly German Wallace College) highlighting Ohio’s German heritage. I can also contribute to GAHF publications.