Celebrating 2020 Graduates in German Studies!

Dear Graduating PhDs in German Studies,

The entire Department of German Studies warmly congratulates Jette Gindner and Stephen Klemm, both of whom submitted their dissertations during the past academic year and completed their PhD degrees in German Studies! Dr. Gindner’s scholarship is dedicated to contemporary literature and political theory, and Dr. Klemm’s research focuses on German literature of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

Much to the Department’s delight, both of our newly minted PhDs have found full-time academic employment at excellent institutions. Professor Gindner is already teaching as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Germanic Languages & Literatures at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Professor Klemm, after teaching one year as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Los Angeles, will begin his tenure-track appointment as Assistant Professor of Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture at Occidental College this coming fall.

With heartfelt congratulations and best celebratory wishes from all faculty, staff, and students in the Department of German Studies on your Cornell graduation and all your extraordinary accomplishments!

On behalf of everyone in the Department of German Studies,

Peter Gilgen, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies

Leslie A. Adelson, Department Chair (2017-2020

Dear Graduating Majors and Minors in German Studies,

Heartfelt congratulations from the entire Department of German Studies on your Cornell graduation and all your extraordinary accomplishments!

These are most unusual circumstances, and although we unfortunately cannot celebrate with you and yours in person right now, we enthusiastically applaud your many tremendous talents, achievements, successes, and future aspirations. Please know that we have seen you and the great things you are capable of. We feel privileged to have met and studied with you, young scholars of such deep intelligence, creativity, responsibility, and resilience.

As you move on in and into the world, we hope you will keep us in mind and keep in touch with Cornell’s vibrant German Studies community. We hope you will continue to venture across supposed dividing lines of languages and cultures. And we hope you will remain active as a member of the global community of German-language speakers. As the 20th-century philosopher Hannah Arendt never got tired of repeating, the world emerges out of relations among people, and with every person missing, a piece of the world goes missing or waits to be actualized. We will miss your welcome presence in Goldwin Smith Hall, and we will remain inspired by our shared work with you in German Studies. Wherever you are, thank you for helping your local and global communities to create a better world.

We are proud to feature these individual profiles of this year’s graduating seniors in German Studies. Please enjoy them and please enjoy these additional Cornell University congratulatory messages honoring the Class of 2020!

Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Und wir wünschen Ihnen alles, alles Gute für Ihre Zukunft.

With best wishes and celebratory regards from all faculty, staff, and students in the Department of German Studies, 

Elke Siegel, Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Incoming Chair

Leslie A. Adelson, Jacob Gould Schurman Professor of German Studies and Outgoing Chair

Name:   Yuqing (Eva) Cao

College:  Arts and Sciences

Major(s):  German Studies & Comparative Literature

What key interests have shaped your Cornell experience?

Academic interests: critical theory, posthumanism, aesthetics and politics, poetry and poetics, Kant’s philosophy on human rights and human dignity, Roberto Bolaño, Hilde Domin

Extracurricular interests: painting, poetry club, drama, photography, enjoying the wonderful nature here in Ithaca

What inspired you to pursue German Studies?

I decided to study German after watching the show Trust by Falk Richter performed by the Schaubühne in Beijing. I fell in love with the expressiveness of the German language right there at the theatre. I then started learning German with Gunhild Lischke since my first semester at Cornell, and grew increasingly passionate about it. Later I had many great German courses with professor Elke Siegel, Aki Sommer, Grit Matthias, Herrn McBride, and the posthumanism course with professor Peter Gilgen.

What are some of your favorite memories of studying German at Cornell?

I’ve had many fond memories of the course GERST 4100 with professor Elke Siegel, the discussion at the Johnson Museum, the night before our poster presentation where we worked and ate together like a group of friends or even a family, discussing Brecht’s plays and poems…I also really enjoyed professor Siegel’s  GERST 3512 “No Rest: The Exhausted Self” this semester. The discussions on the society of control, capitalism, work, the good life, COVID-19… are very essential and relevant to what’s going on in the world right now. It’s also very important for self-reflection, and the engagement of personal growth with social changes.

What is your favorite German word or expression?

A line by Brecht:

“Was sind das für Zeiten, wo
Ein Gespräch über Bäume fast ein Verbrechen ist”

Other Comments or Thoughts:

Thank you so much to my wonderful professors and thank you, Cornell German Studies!

Also congratulations and best wishes to my fellow graduating classmates.

Name: Caroline Chang

College: Engineering

Major: Computer Science 

Minor: German Studies

What key experiences have shaped your Cornell experience?

Taking a German class every semester added a sense of balance to my day-to-day routine where I could get enriched and tap into my appreciation for humanities in addition to my technical coursework. I chose to attend Cornell because I knew I cared about subjects beyond tech and knew Cornell would give me the flexibility to have this interdisciplinary, well-rounded undergrad experience I really wanted, through their motto "any person, any study." The comradery in German classes was always so special and I really did make close friends in these classes, who I don't think I would have met any other way; these classes really diversified my Cornell experience. 

What inspired you to pursue German Studies?

I decided to minor in German Studies, because I not only wanted to deepen my proficiency in the German language and improve my writing, but also because I wanted to learn more about cultural aspects and love learning more about language and idiomatic expressions. I also hope to one day work in a field where I can actively channel my passions for language as well as technology. 

What are some of your favorite memories studying German at Cornell?

I have many, but some of my favorites include being able to look through old German books and manuscripts in Olin Library and having the opportunity to look at German artwork in the Johnson museum in GERST 3075. I also really enjoyed learning about German business culture in GERST 2060.

What is your favorite German word or expression?

After my first semester at Cornell, I went with my mom to Nürnberg over winter break and found this really beautiful magnet which read "Du musst dir schon selbst Konfetti in dein Leben pusten." Through all the ups and downs at Cornell, I felt this German expression on this magnet to always be uplifting and have personal meaning as well.

Name: Austin Rae Haycox

College: Arts & Sciences 

Major: China and Asia-Pacific Studies

Minor(s): Business & German Studies 

What key interests have shaped your Cornell experience?

Cornell's rigorous language departments drew me to the University as I was eager to continue my German studies while also beginning to dive into China and Asia-Pacific Studies. Cornell gave me an unparalleled opportunity to master both Chinese and German while acquiring a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative skills within the College of Arts & Sciences. Understanding diverse cultures and peoples is exciting to me, and Cornell University was the perfect launching pad for me to become a global leader. 

What inspired you to pursue German Studies?

Having studied German for 4 years in high school, I couldn't leave my passion for the German language and culture behind. My time studying abroad in Germany prior to coming to Cornell was a transformative experience that inspired me to minor in German Studies. As a China and Asia-Pacific Studies major, my interests are fueled by my intellectual curiosity to learn as much as I can about other people and places around the world. I aim to use my language skills and background in international relations to break down barriers that the United States faces on the global stage with both Chinese and German speaking nations. I have always felt strongly about the dire need for Americans to speak more than one language and studying two at Cornell was an honor for me. 

What are some of your favorite memories of studying German at Cornell?

I thoroughly enjoyed studying German art at the Johnson Museum as I was able to reflect on the artwork by presenting in German to my fellow classmates. I loved having the opportunity to directly apply my German language skills to interpret the unique and inspiring messages of German artists within their work. It was a powerful experience to be able to respond in my second language to an artist's work. I will always treasure this memory as my class assignments became quite literally an enjoyable activity that turned into many days spent at the museum. 

What is your favorite German word or expression?

Wanderlust

Other Comments or Thoughts:

Thank you to the incredible German Studies Department for your passionate energy that translated into magnificent language instruction! Bis Bald!

Name: Kyra Houlé

College: Arts and Sciences

Major: Philosophy

Minor: German Studies

What key interests have shaped your Cornell experience?

My interest in language learning, and sharing that with others, has allowed me to meet people and share experiences with them I would not have gotten otherwise. This applies to my studies of German, English, and Mandarin. Not only this but my interest in diversity and inclusion has allowed me to challenge myself in ways I never would have otherwise. Because of these I have grown as a person and as a scholar, and I'm so grateful for that.

What inspired you to pursue German Studies?

I'm originally from Germany, and moved to the USA when I was almost 10 years old. I wanted to ensure I learned as much about the language and culture I partially grew up with as possible. Losing my culture, when I could do something about it, is something I would never have forgiven myself for.

What are some of your favorite memories of studying German at Cornell?

Working with Elke Siegel on my independent study and getting to set my own course of what to study and how to do it. I learned things I never would have gotten to otherwise and applied my philosophy major in ways I never would have gotten to otherwise. Not just that, but she was so kind and patient with me that it truly made my experience in the German Studies department. Not only that but joining Kaffeeklatsch at the big red barn made my Wednesdays so much better, and gave me something I looked forward to every week.  

What is your favorite German word or expression? 

Lieber eine Stunde Schule als überhaupt keinen Schlaf.

Other Comments or Thoughts:

Thank you to the faculty and especially the graduate students of the German Studies department. I went through several very rough patches at Cornell, and I knew I always had a community I could go to in order to just talk and forget about things. If you're considering taking a German course, do it and join this welcoming community. And thank you to my family, without which I wouldn't be where I am. Vielen Dank und ich wünsche euch noch viel Glück.

Name: Joseph McAllister

College: Arts & Sciences

Major: Computer Science

Minor: German Studies

What inspired you to pursue German Studies?

Family living in Germany and an enjoyment of the grammatical structure. 

What are some of your favorite memories of studying German at Cornell?

Discussing social consequences of technology in Professor Matthias’ course “German Life Style Going Digital.

What is your favorite German word or expression?

Schadenfreude

Name: Yuchang (Isabella) Zhou

College: Arts & Sciences

Major: Computer Science

Minor: German Studies

What key interests have shaped your Cornell experience?

Design, Illustration, Reading

What inspired you to pursue German Studies?

Interest in German Philosophy 

What are some of your favorite memories of studying German at Cornell?

Watching Brecht’s play; Appreciation of medieval art pieces

What is your favorite German word or expression?

Glück

Other Comments or Thoughts:

German helps me explore more in philosophy and literature. It shaped my way of thinking.

Name: Jehoon (John) Yoon

College: Arts and Sciences

Major(s): German Studies, College Scholar, Comparative Literature

Name: Leo Levy

College: Arts and Sciences

Major: College Scholar

Minor(s): German Studies & Comparative Literature

Name: Luke Mysliwy

College: Arts & Sciences

Major: Economics

Minor: German Studies

Name: Ivana Terziyska

College: Engineering

Major: Computer Science

Minor: German Studies

Degree Date: Dec 2019