Enlarge image (© Germany.info) Ann Marie Gunter, World Languages Coordinator at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, was honored by Consul General Lutz Görgens as the third recipient of the Boltzius Award for her excellent work in promoting German language and culture. 

The ceremony at the NC Department of Public Instruction was attended by State Superintendent June Atkinson, Helga Fasciano, Section Chief at the NC Deptartment of Public Instruction, and Petra Reuter, the German Language Advisor (USA South-East) from the German Central Agency for Schools Abroad.

The Boltzius award, named after German pastor Johann Martin Boltzius, was recently established to thank extraordinary citizens in the Southeastern United States for their ongoing commitment in promoting the German language and culture as well as the friendship between our two countries.

Boltzius, born 1703 in the German town Forst, served as senior minister to the Salzburger community at Ebenezer from 1735 to 1765. As a driving force during the formative years of the Georgia colony, he inspired his contemporaries through vision and leadership. The Boltzius Award recipients have similar qualities. They are commited individuals from all walks of life who inspire people today to learn about Germany and the German language by promoting a modern image of German culture and foster the international exchange of thoughts and ideas.

Consul General Görgens lauded Ann Marie Gunter for her initiative and creativity in furthering German language learning in North Carolina. 

"The German language is a huge asset in the job market with almost 800 German companies present in the Southeast," remarked Consul General Görgens. "You are providing your students with a valuable skill for their professional future."

Gunter was the driving force behind a valuable new resource, a southeastern German teachers’ website which provides basic information for German teachers, explains proceedures for the German Language Diploma, and connects the German teachers with each other. 

"My goal is to make the German programs in North Carolina even stronger and Ann Marie is my biggest asset," said German Language Advisor Petra Reuter. "I have come to greatly appreciate her support and organizational talent during many projects, most notably the successful introduction of the German Language Diploma at several NC schools."