Leir Chair to support Foreign Languages and Literatures Department
Worcester, Mass. - Clark University received a $2 million grant from The Ridgefield Foundation to establish The Henry J. Leir Chair in Foreign Languages and Cultures. The grant will support the Foreign Languages and Literatures Department's innovative approach to exploring the reciprocal nature of language and culture, thus enhancing its contribution to greater international understanding.
The first holder of the Leir Chair will be a distinguished teacher-scholar with expertise in one of the European languages taught at Clark University. The Chair will assume responsibility for the development of courses focusing on language, national identity, and culture, concepts central to Clark's innovative National Imagination course. The Chair will help energize outreach to other departments and programs within Clark as well as with other universities, organizing international conferences, symposia, and joint research projects. An appointment is expected to be made by fall 2008.
The Ridgefield Foundation, part of the Leir Charitable Foundations, was established by the late Henry J. and Erna D. Leir to fund their philanthropic interests. Other major donors include Continental Ore Corp. and the International Ore and Fertilizer Corp.
Mr. Leir (1900-1998) was known internationally as an industrialist, succeeding in the metals and mining industry in Luxembourg before expanding to 35 different countries, with offices in Luxembourg City, Düsseldorf, Mexico City, New York City, London, Paris, and Tokyo, among other locations.
Leir-associated programs established at Clark include: The Leir Luxembourg Program (run annually for undergraduate students for a session of 4 weeks); Summer Research Opportunities in Luxembourg (for undergraduate students for a period of 6 to 8 weeks); a Ph.D. Research Internship in Luxembourg (1 year); the dual M.A. in English/American Studies in Luxembourg and at Clark (1 year); The Henry J. Leir Lecture Series; and faculty conferences and workshops in Luxembourg.
Learn more about the Foreign Languages and Literatures Department at Clark.