GERMAN PROFESSOR NAMED ROTHBAUM AWARD WINNER AT OU

Norman – Hester Baer, assistant professor of German at the University of Oklahoma, recently was named the Irene Rothbaum Outstanding Assistant Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Paul B. Bell Jr., dean of the college, announced the award at a faculty meeting in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics.  Her colleagues were not surprised.  Their many letters of support in the application for the award lauded her dedication to teaching and research, as demonstrated by her rewriting the second-year German teaching program, serving on several local and national committees for German culture and history and having her first book accepted for publication.

“I am grateful to the College of Arts and Sciences and to the Rothbaum family for this award, which recognizes the importance of studying foreign languages and literatures as a central facet of the liberal arts education,” said Baer.  “As a professor of German language, literature and culture, my goal is to introduce students to new ways of thinking about and representing the world. I hope that this will help them not only to understand other cultures better, but also to reflect critically on their own cultures.”

Necia Chronister, former student of Baer’s and 2003 Carl Albert Award recipient as the most outstanding graduating senior in the college, received a Fulbright grant to study in Germany under Baer’s tutelage.  “Dr. Baer has remained a mentor for me, long after I have graduated from OU.  During my Fulbright year, she suggested graduate programs, helped me develop my application materials from abroad and found supplemental fellowship programs for me.  I owe much of my success to Dr. Baer’s advice and support,” wrote Chronister.

The Irene Rothbaum Outstanding Assistant Professor Award was established 12 years ago by the late Julian Rothbaum in honor of his late wife, Irene.   It is awarded to a promising assistant professor in the college.  The recipient receives $2,500 and a plaque.
“This award comes at a crucial time in a young faculty member’s career,” said Bell.  “It is a nice way to let them know how appreciated they are for their contributions in teaching and research.”