Dr. Ethan Blass teaches grammar to German students.

Dr. Gerald Kleinfeld’s passion for education runs deep — especially when the topic at hand touches on Germany or its native tongue.

The longtime Arizona State University professor founded the German Studies Association in 1976 to further his passions, and it’s only natural that he formed a close relationship with Wartburg, the last German-immigrant founded college in the U.S. that still supports active relationships with Germany.

That connection led to the creation of the Herbert and Mildred Kleinfeld Professorship in German Language and Culture in 2023. That post, held by Dr. Ethan Blass, has been elevated by an additional $1 million gift from Kleinfeld.

“The new distinguished professorship will help Wartburg instill an appreciation for language and culture in generations of its students,” said Blass. “I am tremendously honored to be the inaugural holder of the position.”

Endowed chairs and professorships provide additional dollars and resources for programming that supports engagement and sudent success, such as the Hearthside Project, which pairs faculty or staff with students for small-group book discussions, or lectures like the MBK Literary Symposium.

“German is a global language, and German culture and history have significance for our society, our own history, and how we interact with others,” said Kleinfeld. “When we understand another language and another culture, we can better understand ourselves.”

The Herbert and Mildred Kleinfeld Distinguished Professorship in German Language and Culture is the college’s 22nd endowed position.