University News
Schmidt: Foreign Languages & Literatures Chair
April 11, 2012
MACOMB, IL -- Gary Schmidt, associate professor of German at the University of West Georgia (UWG), has been appointed chair of the Western Illinois University foreign languages and literatures (FLL) department, effective July 1, according to College of Arts and Sciences Dean Susan Martinelli-Fernandez.
Schmidt joined the University of West Georgia faculty in August 2006 as an assistant professor, teaching German and other courses in the FLL department. He was promoted to associate professor in 2009. Schmidt is the chair of the faculty development committee, and also served as acting chair of the FLL department in Summer 2011. He has served as co-chair of the committee for responsible sexuality (2009-2011) and as the interim chair of foreign languages (May 2008-May 2010) at UWG. Schmidt was the director of the study abroad program in Oldenburg during the 2009-2010 academic year.
Schmidt has also served as the coordinator of the second- and third-year German program at the University of Minnesota (2000-2001) and as a visiting professor of German studies at Mount Holyoke College (2004-2006). He has taught at the Monterey (CA) Institute of International Studies (Summer 2004), Luther College (2003-2004), Grinnell College (2002-2003) and Knox College (2001-2002). Schmidt has also taught German at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park (IL) and Amos Alonzo Staff High School in Palos Hills (IL).
"I am looking forward to Dr. Schmidt joining the college and leading the foreign languages and literatures department," Martinelli-Fernandez said. "His many years of experience will further the department's academic mission."
He has presented at numerous conferences and has published numerous articles and book chapters. Schmidt is a member of the American Association of Teachers of German, the German Studies Association and the Modern Language Association.
Schmidt received his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis; a master's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara; a master's degree in secondary education from Northern Illinois University; and his bachelor's degree from Knox College.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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