UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Inspired by the lives and work of two longtime German department professors, an anonymous donor recently made a bequest of $250,000 to Penn State’s Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures. The gift honors the distinguished careers of Manfred E. Keune, associate professor emeritus of German, and the late Ernst Schürer, professor emeritus of German, and will establish an endowment in their names.
When realized, the proceeds from the Dr. Ernst Schürer and Dr. Manfred Keune Excellence Fund will benefit graduate students by funding summer German language programs, research trips to Germany and other European countries, and support for dissertation research. The endowment will also aid in funding scholarships that allow the department to continue attracting top-tier students.
“This gift is a testament to the enduring impact of two long-serving educators who have left an indelible mark on the academic landscape in our department,” said Carrie Jackson, Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures department head. “Ernst and Manfred were longtime members of the German department and revered among their colleagues and students. This fund is not merely a financial contribution; it is a celebration of the passion these professors brought to their roles. We are incredibly grateful for this endowment that will help our graduate students realize a comprehensive Penn State experience.”
Born in Germany, Keune began his time at Penn State in 1967 as an assistant professor of German, and he was employed at the University for more than 30 years until his retirement in 1999. During his tenure, his research concentrated on 19th- and 20th-century German literature, and he co-edited and contributed to the books “The Berlin Wall-Reality” and “Symbol and Kunert Werkstatt.”
Schürer emigrated from Germany, journeying to Canada and then to Austin, Texas, where he attended the University of Texas at Austin. From there, Schürer went on to earn his doctorate in German literature from Yale University before spending a decade there as a professor of German Language and Literature from 1963 to 1973. He spent the following five years as a professor of German at The University of Florida before landing at Penn State in 1978, serving as a professor of German and ultimately as chair of the German department until his retirement in 2003.
While at the University, Schürer authored, contributed to, edited and co-edited many publications, including such works as “The Berlin Wall: Representations and Perspectives” and “B. Traven: Life and Work.”
Gifts like the Dr. Ernst Schürer and Dr. Manfred Keune Excellence Fund advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients, and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.