![[Logo Auswärtiges Amt]](/images/logo.gif){kind=logo}
"Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande" awarded to Penn State Professor Emeritus
-
- Enlarge image
- Consul General Dr. Freitag and Prof. Dr. Gentry
- (© Richard Page)
Consul General Dr. Horst Freitag conferred the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit to Dr. Francis G. Gentry.
On November 14, Consul General Dr. Freitag travelled to Pennsylvania State University to bestow one of the highest tributes the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for services to the nation.
Before the official celebration of presenting the "Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande", the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit to Dr. Francis G. Gentry, the Consul General participated in a forum at Penn State University. Ten days after the election of Barack Obama, an audience of approximately 150 people followed a discussion on “Challenges and Opportunities for European-American Relations after the Presidential Election.” It was a vivid exchange of views with contributions by Dr. Dennis Davis, Professor of Communications, Dr. Greg Eghigian, Director of the Program in Science, Technology and Society and Associate Professor of History as well as Dennis Jett, Professor of International Affairs.
Emerited Professor Dr. Gentry received the honour of one of Germany’s highest civilian awards for his significant achievements in intensifying German-American relations, mainly in facilitating cultural and scientific exchange. His work on behalf of the Alexander von Humboldt Association of America and as Penn State’s founder of the Max Kade German-American Research Institute, whose main focus lies on exploring German-American relations since the 17th century, particularly led to the bestowment.
Known to “build scientific bridges between our countries,” as Dr. Freitag expressed in the laudatio “Dr. Gentry is one of the leading American medievalists and German literature scientists, whose commitment to strengthen the transatlantic relationship is exceeded by his high international scholarly reputation.” The 66-year-old Professor’s oustanding accomplishment in the field of German language and literature studies is summarized in a statement that was published in a book review of a commemorative publication in Dr. Gentry’s honor: “Perhaps more than any other Germanist of recent memory he fostered communication and collaboration among North American and European Altgermanisten.”
Institutioned in 1951 by Federal President Theodor Heuss, “der Bundesverdienstorden”, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, may be awarded to Germans as well as foreigners. It honours achievements in the political, economic, social or intellectual realm and all kinds of outstanding services to the nation in the field of social, charitable or philanthropic work.
Pennsylvania State University:
-
- (© Penn State University)
