Heidelberg Senior Professorship for Detlef Junker

Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Detlef Junker appointed senior professor of the University of Heidelberg — Rectorate inspected the new premises of the Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA), Hauptstraße 120

The whole thing came as a complete surprise. Last Wednesday, Professor Detlef Junker, founding director of the Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA), had invited the Rectorate of the University of Heidelberg to inspect his new premises. The intention was first to demonstrate the progress made in the renovation of the Curt und Heidemarie Engelhorn Palais, Hauptstraße 120, since the Center moved there in summer 2006. The renovation work is in fact almost complete. Prof. Junker also wanted to take this opportunity of thanking Rector Prof. Dr. Peter Hommelhoff once again for his commitment to the HCA, as a number of institutional barriers had to be negotiated before the Center could be established. What Detlef Junker did not know was that the Rector, accompanied by vice-Rectors Professor Silke Leopold and Professor Vera Nünning and CAO Dr. Marina Frost, had some very gratifying news for his host.

After a tour of inspection of the impressive new premises, the Rector returned the compliment by thanking Detlef Junker for his outstanding role in establishing the new Center. He went on to disclose the fact that Professor Junker was the figure on which the modalities for the new “distinguished senior professorship” had been modelled. This professorship is designed as a distinction for researchers and academic teachers with a record of outstanding service to the University as a whole. It also enables the University to draw especial benefit from their rich fund of experience when they have retired or become emeriti. Detlef Junker, said Hommelhoff, had been something like the prototype for the functions a senior professor might be requested to perform.

The only minor fly in the ointment was the fact that this honourable title, bestowed for the first time on the geographer Professor Peter Meusburger in February, had not yet been officially conferred on Heidelberg’s USA expert. Accordingly, the Rector produced the corresponding document and to the surprise and delight of the recipient and the applause of the staff members present declared Detlef Junker new senior professor of the University of Heidelberg.

Please address any inquiries to
Dr. Michael Schwarz
Public Information Officer
University of Heidelberg
phone: 06221/542310, fax: 542317
michael.schwarz@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/presse

Irene Thewalt
phone: 06221/542310, fax: 542317
presse@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de