Freyberger Professor of Pennsylvania German Studies Faculty Fellowship

The Freyberger Professorship was established in 1991 through an endowment created by Dr. Ruth M. Freyberger ’35 for the purpose of supporting and enhancing the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center through academic and classroom links to Pennsylvania German Studies at Kutztown University. The Freyberger Professorship was the first endowed chair position of its kind in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

The Freyberger Professorship will be relaunched in the fall of 2023 as a faculty fellowship for the two-year appointment of a Kutztown University professor to coordinate the interdisciplinary Pennsylvania German Studies Minor, pursue grant funding for the Heritage Center’s physical and programmatic needs, and showcase leading scholarly research through the development of an annual Freyberger Professor Lecture Series.

Applications for the Freyberger Professorship will be accepted beginning March15, 2023, through April 15, 2023. Applicants must supply a letter of intent and curriculum vitae for review by the Freyberger Professorship Selection Committee via email to Heritage Center Director Patrick J. Donmoyer.

Qualifications

 Individual must be a current member of the faculty at Kutztown University.

• Individual must possess a terminal degree in a subject area related to Pennsylvania German culture, language, history, material culture, education, or the arts.
• Individual must demonstrate prior research and scholarship in the field of Pennsylvania German Studies.

Expectations

 The Freyberger Professor will serve as chair of the interdisciplinary Pennsylvania German Studies Minor and provide support to students in the minor program.

• Organize the annual Freyberger Lecture Series to showcase leading research in the field of Pennsylvania German Studies.
• Working with the Heritage Center director to research potential funding sources and submit grants for federal, state, or private foundation funding for facility improvements and programming at Heritage Center.
• Demonstrate successful scholarship evidenced by presentations at professional meetings, submissions for publication in scholarly and popular journals, and speaking local and regional gatherings.
• Serve as resource and mentor to visiting scholars and students who are conducting research at center.
• Serve on committees, as appropriate, to represent the Heritage Center.
• Keep designated office hours at the Heritage Center a minimum of three days a week.
• Collaborate and provide support to the director of the PGCHC.

Resources and Support

 The professorship will be an appointment for 2 years. Individual may be reappointed at the completion of 2 years for a third year, if evidence is presented showing success in grant submissions, publications, and presentations and demonstrates successful mentoring and collaboration with various constituencies. After a maximin of three years the individual cannot apply for another year for the fellowship.

• Individual will receive release time for 3 credits AWA in each Fall semester and 6 credits AWA each spring semester for the duration of the appointment.
• Individual will receive up to $5,000 in operating and $2,000 in travel expenses per year funded by the Freyberger Endowment Fund.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: All applications must be submitted to Patrick J. Donmoyer no later than April 15, 2023 to be considered for the 2023-2025 appointment of the Freyberger Professor.