Goucher Announces John A. Luetkemeyer Sr. Endowed Chair Fund In Mandarin Chinese And Asian Studies

Press release from Goucher College:

March 2, 2021

Goucher College has announced the establishment of the John A. Luetkemeyer Sr. Endowed
Chair Fund, an endowed professorship in Mandarin Chinese and Asian studies at the
liberal arts college. This new endowed professorship supports the hallmark of a Goucher
education – global learning. Goucher was one of the first colleges in the United States
to formally recognize the importance of a global perspective in education by requiring
study abroad for all of its students. At Goucher, global education expands beyond
languages and study abroad, to include curriculum enrichment, cross-cultural engagements,
and co-curricular activities. A nationwide search has been launched to hire the inaugural
Luetkemeyer Chair professor.

“Goucher College has been and continues to be a pioneer in global education, and this
endowed professorship underscores Goucher’s commitment to integrating a global perspective
throughout our students’ education,” says Dr. Elaine Meyer-Lee, senior vice president
and provost, Goucher College. “We are thankful to the Luetkemeyer family and the other
donors who have made this long-term investment possible. The Luetkemeyer Chair endowed
professorship will enrich curriculum offerings for our students and help us expand
our Asian studies offerings.”

The Luetkemeyer Chair Fund demonstrates the importance and influence of Mandarin Chinese
and Asian studies. Mandarin Chinese is one of the most spoken languages globally,
and the number of U.S. high schools offering Mandarin Chinese has been increasing
in recent years. Goucher is also adding an Asian studies minor that will expand the
current curricular offerings to delve deeper into the region’s history, politics,
and philosophies.

John A. Luetkemeyer, Sr. was a long-time trustee, chair, and trustee emeritus of the
Goucher College Board of Trustees. A notable member of the Baltimore business and
philanthropic community, Luetkemeyer was the former Maryland state treasurer, and
CEO of Equitable Trust Co. The funding for this endowed professorship was made possible
by the generosity of friends and family in honor of his memory. Michael and Patricia
K. Batza '91, Goucher College trustee emeriti, helped coordinate matching gifts to
the fund in the Luetkemeyer’s honor.

“Growing up, I watched my father get involved in innumerable civic endeavors, while
running the second largest bank in Maryland, and the one institution he loved most
was Goucher,” said John “Jack” Luetkemeyer, Jr. “I can’t tell you the number of times
either at the dinner table or in other conversations the names of [former Goucher
presidents] Otto Kraushaar and Rhoda Dorsey came up. Not only did he have immense
respect for both of them, but he considered each to be a dear friend. They were Goucher,
and he was proud to be part of the team.”

Luetkemeyer said he was inspired to support Goucher and this endowed professorship
because his father strongly believed in the importance of gaining a global perspective.
Growing up, Jack’s father shared his belief that it is vital to learn new languages
and about other cultures.

For more information on global education at Goucher, visit www.goucher.edu/learn/global-education.

This press release was produced by Goucher College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.