Herb Boswau

The following article, published in the September 1991 issue of FLAND News, announced Dr. Herbert Boswau as FLAND's Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Herbert Boswau, an associate professor of German at the University of North Dakota, has been named the 1991 Foreign Language Teacher of the year by the Foreign Language Association of North Dakota (FLAND). Boswau is one of the founding fathers of FLAND. He wrote and later revised the FLAND Constitution. He is also a former editor of the FLAND Newsletter.

He is president-elect of North Dakota's American Association of Teachers of German (ND-AATG) and of the Foreign Language Association of the Red River (FLARR). Boswau is also actively involved in the Linguistic Circle of Manitoba and North Dakota and in the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language (ACTFL).

During his 26 years at UND, Boswau served two terms as the Chair of Languages. He has served as language lab director, advisor of the UND German Club and supervisor of foreign language student teachers. Boswau has developed a variety of courses during his tenure at UND. He is presently the coordinator of the UND German program. His service to the profession also includes organizing and directing several in-service workshops for foreign language teachers. Boswau did his graduate work at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, the University of Texas in Austin and Stanford University.

The award was presented at the FLAND Spring Convention held in Grand Forks on April 19 and 20.

Additionally...

Dr. Boswau, who was always simply called "Herb" by his fellow FLAND members and colleagues, retired from UND in 1996. He remained active in FLAND and other foreign language groups until his death in 2004.

Herb's family donated an meorial (around $2,000) to the FLAND organization. FLAND then created the Herb Boswau Memorial Fund Committee whose goal was to build the value of the fund to over $10,000 so that it could be placed in an endowment. The goal has been reached and the endowment grant was created.

The purpose of the Herb Boswau Memorial Professional Development Grant is to promote attendance at Regional and National Foreign Language Conferences by providing financail assistance to help cover travel expenses. A $500 travel grant is available annually to a FLAND member. This development grant carries on Herb's belief that it is important for North Dakota teachres to attend conferences beond our borders.

The FLAND News, March 2005, was dedicated to Herb's memory. It includes his official obituary and eulogies from FLAND members.