Dr. Jürgen Konczak, professor of biomechanics in the School of Kinesiology, had the honor of meeting with Germany’s current President of the Bundestag, Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert, on Thursday, May 5. Prof. Dr. Lammert’s position in the German Parliament is equivalent to that of Rep. John Boehner, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The German delegation visited Minnesota last week as part of a mission to promote international relations between Germany and Minnesota.

Dr. Konczak spoke to Dr. Lammert in his role as a member of the board of the Twin Cities German Immersion School (TCGIS). They discussed the international mission of the school and its unique way of introducing German language and culture to American children. The school will receive a new teaching position next year that is fully funded through a German government grant, which was secured largely through efforts of the school’s Grants and External Relations Committee chaired by Dr. Konczak.
The German delegation was honored at a gala of the German-American Chamber of Commerce at the Windows of Minnesota in the IDS Tower in downtown Minneapolis. Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Dr. Lammert gave the keynote addresses in front of 200 guests, who were entertained by the German Immersion School’s string ensemble. Dr. Konczak’s son, Till, plays violin in the ensemble.
In above photo, from left to right: Dr. Konczak, Prof. Dr. Lammert, Dr. Andrew Oxenham, U of M Dept. of Psychology