German-American Heritage Foundation
Supports Study Abroad in Germany, Austria

The German-American Heritage Foundation, St. Paul, Minn., has funded new scholarships for students planning study-abroad experiences in Germany and Austria. The gift also will subsidize student fees for internationally recognized German language proficiency tests. The $5,000 gift will support four scholarships each year for students accepted into UW-Eau Claire study-abroad programs in Wittenberg and Marburg, Darmstadt, or Kassel, Germany, as well as in Graz, Austria. In addition, the gift will subsidize fees paid by students taking German language proficiency examinations. UW-Eau Claire is an official testing site for those seeking to earn the “Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache” and the “Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf,” which are highly valued credentials in job searches.

Q&A with Bruce Larson, founder and administrator,
German-American Heritage Foundation:

Occupation: I am a home health care administrator and entrepreneur in St. Paul, Minn. I also founded and serve as administrator of the German-American Heritage Foundation, dedicated to preserving the language, culture and traditions brought to the United States by German-speaking immigrants. In my spare time I enjoy history, the arts, tennis and good German beer.

UW-Eau Claire connection: I am an annual patron of UW-Eau Claire’s Viennese Ball and a contributor to the Viennese Ball Endowment Fund. In 2002 I was the charter member of the Emperor’s Circle, established to grow the endowment and increase music scholarships and international study awards to UW-Eau Claire students. I also support UW-Eau Claire’s German foreign language program.

Why I support UW-Eau Claire and its Fulfilling the Promise of Excellence campaign: Through the campaign I’m able to further the German-American Heritage Foundation’s mission of preserving German culture and traditions by supporting international study scholarships.

What I would say to others thinking about making a gift: My motto is, “Fund it or lose it.” No matter what it is you value most, your financial support will help ensure that what you treasure now will remain for future generations.

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