German visitors using BGSU as bridge to U.S.

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Bowling Green State University will host a group of distinguished German visitors this week who are in the United States for a grass-roots perspective on the 2008 presidential election.

The Atlantik-Brücke (Atlantic Bridge) Foundation, a private, nonpartisan association, chose Ohio for its status as a pivotal state in recent presidential elections and BGSU because the foundation has academic ties to the University. Founded in 1952 to foster transatlantic understanding and cooperation, Atlantik-Brücke has been instrumental in helping BGSU develop a memorandum of understanding with the University of Hildesheim, Germany. The agreement allows Bowling Green students seeking a minor in Peace Studies to study at Hildesheim during the summer while Hildesheim students visit BGSU for a complementary study-abroad experience.

From Wednesday, Oct. 29, to Sunday, Nov. 2, members of the group will tour northwest Ohio, meeting with elected representatives and business leaders. They will be on campus Nov. 3 for a reception hosted by Interim President Carol Cartwright. Assisting in organizing and facilitating the area visit are Dr. William Balzer, a professor of psychology, and the Office of Marketing and Communications.
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Atlantik-Brücke’s membership comprises representatives from politics, business, trade unions, academia and the media, brought together by a shared dedication to German-American friendship. About 35 members of the group will be in the delegation visiting BGSU.

For more information on the foundation, visit http://atlantik-bruecke.org/.

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(Posted October 27, 2008 )