2013 – Best year ever for the Foundation

Dear Friends, Sponsors and Board Members.

As 2013 draws to a close I delight in sending you this message announcing that 2013 was the most successful year in the history of the GLCF. We can look back on continuous growth, on awarding more and more scholarships to needy but interested students wanting to learn German and complete a German major at UNC Charlotte, increased fundraising and grateful recognition from CMS, CPCC, Gaston County Schools and UNC Charlotte. All of this is cause for celebration and I want you to recognize and be aware of the wonderful opportunities you have allowed students from different institutions to participate in. You and your corporations are the true heroes of our success story!

The demand for German language programs has increased. There is a record number of students majoring in the German language at UNC Charlotte and an increased number of these students find internships or employment with you or other companies from German speaking Europe.

We have, in fact, awarded for the first time ever over $100,000 for scholarships during this calendar year. Just yesterday I had the pleasure to award 16 scholarships to students at CMS/South Mecklenburg High School who will be travelling to Germany on an Exchange in April 2014. I wish you could have seen the joy on their faces and the gratefulness in the eyes of their parents!

You are also aware that the Foundation is undergoing some management changes and it is my distinct pleasure to advise you that effective 1-1-2014 Brigitte Hartenstein will assume her duties as President of the German Language & Culture Foundation. Please join me in wishing her a steady hand and success leading to continued growth of the Foundation. Brigitte is a recognized leader in the community, a successful business person and someone who has shown that she can make a very substantial and successful impact on non-profits. Please lend her your hand and support as she will be in contact with you.

As far as myself is concerned, I shall retain the title of Chairman and be involved on the periphery of managing the Foundation and assist Brigitte in soliciting existing and new sponsors so that we can increase the number of scholarships we can award in the future and provide even more opportunities to American students to perfect their German language skills in Germany while being home hosted.

I thank all of you for your wonderful support for which I am most grateful and wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, a successful, healthy and fun 2014.

Most cordially yours.

Kurt G. Waldthausen

Founder & Chairman