NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The DAAD Alumni Association has recognized University of Oklahoma professor Karin Schutjer with its Excellence Award, honoring her decades of dedication to fostering academic and cultural exchange between the United States and Germany.
Schutjer is the L.J. Semrod Presidential Professor of German and assistant chair in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting transatlantic collaboration, mentoring students and expanding international education opportunities.
A DAAD alumna, Schutjer received a yearlong fellowship during her graduate studies, an experience that helped shape her commitment to international engagement. She said the recognition is especially meaningful because of the organization’s impact on students at OU.
“For me, this award is meaningful because of what DAAD represents – not just for my own career, but for OU and our students,” Schutjer said. “It’s been an extraordinary partner in international exchange.”
Over the years, Schutjer has helped connect numerous OU students with opportunities in Germany, including fellowships, research internships and study programs. She tracked at least 19 OU students associated with the German program who have received DAAD funding, including yearlong fellowships, fully funded research internships in STEM fields and short-term study grants.
“These opportunities can be transformative,” she said. “Students develop communication skills, independence and the ability to navigate unfamiliar environments – skills that carry forward into their careers and lives.”
Schutjer emphasized that the achievements recognized by the award reflect a collaborative effort among faculty and campus partners.
“It’s an honor to be singled out as an individual, but this work is truly a team effort,” she said. “We have spent years building systems to connect students with opportunities and supporting them through the process.”
Since 2008, the German program at OU has focused on aligning students with international opportunities through intensive advising and partnerships with organizations such as DAAD and the Fulbright Program. Many students go on to pursue graduate study in Germany or Austria, while others participate in teaching fellowships. Some pursue graduate study in Germany or Austria in a wide range of disciplines, including STEM, social sciences, humanities and the arts.
A cornerstone of these efforts is OU’s faculty-led summer study abroad program in Germany, established in 2009. The immersive five-week experience includes language instruction, cultural engagement and homestays with local families.
“For many students, it’s a life-changing experience,” Schutjer said. “You can see their growth happen in real time as they adapt, build relationships and gain confidence.”
The award was presented during a special recognition at the Sound Understanding Concert on April 16 at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall.
DAAD, the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, is a consortium of more than 240 German universities and higher education institutions, along with over 100 student bodies, and is the world’s largest organization supporting international academic exchange.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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