9-18-97
ATHENS, Ohio -- Robert Stewart, associate professor of journalism, has recently been named the Ohio University Coordinator of the Leipzig University Exchange Program by Ohio University President Robert Glidden.
Beginning in 1992, the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and the Contemporary History Institute have been engaged in student and faculty exchanges with the former East German university, the second oldest continually operating university in Germany.
"The appointment of Dr. Stewart underscores Ohio University's interest in broadening the exchange program beyond journalism, history and the German language program," Glidden said. "He understands the German education system and knows the appropriate faculty and administrators in Leipzig. That puts him into an excellent position of expanding what already is considered by both universities as one of their most successful exchange efforts."
Since the exchange program was founded in 1992, nearly 100 faculty and students have traveled the Atlantic to visit the other campus to study, lecture and consult. Through the exchange, Ohio University has helped Leipzig University, which once offered the only journalism program in East Germany, to update its curriculum in the new democracy.
Stewart taught in Leipzig in 1993 and has served as the coordinator of the journalism exchange program since 1992. He received a Fulbright Award in 1997 to participate in a study tour of German universities this past summer.