The Society for German-American Studies holds its 25th Annual Symposium May 3-6 at Grand Valley State University. It is the first time the university has hosted the prestigious organization.
The Symposium opens Thursday, May 3, with Gem¿tliches Beisammensein, a traditional German social gathering, and continues through noon on Sunday with a wide variety of presentations covering topics from music, language, and politics to education, migration and history. Of particular note for West Michiganders will be presentations focusing on local aspects of German-American culture.
Approximately 40 sessions will be held at the DeVos Center on GVSU's Pew Grand Rapids Campus, 401 W. Fulton St. More than 100 scholars and people of German ancestry from Germany and across the United States are expected to attend. Sessions are open to the public, free of charge. For a schedule, call 616-895-3588.
The SGAS is the leading organization in the field of German-American studies. We're honored to host its 25th anniversary, said Mary Seeger, dean of Academic Resources at GVSU. Seeger and her husband, Wilhelm Seeger, both professors of German at GVSU, are coordinating this year's symposium. Last year it was held in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Grand Rapids Mayor John Logie, who is of German descent, will open Friday's sessions with a welcome address at 9 a.m. Of local interest:
¿ Mathias J. Alten,
German immigrant painter in Grand Rapids: presented by James Straub during the 10-11:45 a.m. session, Friday, May 4;¿ German-Americans in Grand Rapids: by GVSU Professor Wilhelm Seeger, 9-11:15 a.m. session, Sunday, May 6;
¿ Was ist eine Schnitzelbank? The Story Behind the Popular German-American Song: by William D. Keel of the University of Kansas, 9-11:15 a.m. session, Sunday, May 6.
Schnitzelbank Restaurant in Grand Rapids will be the site of a noon luncheon on Saturday.
