Language professor elected officer of national board

KALAMAZOO—A longtime professor at Western Michigan University has been elected to the 2012-14 Executive Committee of the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council on Language and International Studies.

Dr. Peter W. Krawutschke, WMU professor of languages and literatures, was elected to a two-year term as board treasurer during the organization's annual meeting in May. He had just completed a two-year term as a director.

The Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies represent more than 60 national and regional organizations encompassing virtually all areas of the field of language education. They were founded on the belief that all Americans should have the opportunity to learn and use English and at least one other language. The organizations promote public awareness of language issues and engage in public advocacy on behalf of languages and international education, among other activities.

Peter Krawutschke

Krawutschke is a past president and past treasurer of both the American Translators Association and the International Federation of Translators. He received ATA's most prestigious award in 2008 in recognition for his outstanding work on behalf of translators around the globe. He also serves on the board of directors of the American Foundation for Translation and Interpretation, which he helped establish in 1997.

A WMU faculty member since 1967, Krawutschke teaches German and is immediate past president of the University's Faculty Senate. In addition, he has previously served as chair of his department and head of the German Section.

Krawutschke earned bachelor's and master's degrees from WMU in 1966 and 1967, respectively, and a doctoral degree from the University of Michigan in 1976.