Former Southeast professor given award by Germany

Editor's Note: This story has been changed to reflect the fact that Dr. Dieter Jedan's wife did not attend a recent awards ceremony in Chicago. She is deceased.

For one Southeast Missouri State University professor, retiring does not mean slowing down.

Dr. Dieter Jedan served as chairman of the Department of Global Cultures and Languages for 20 years until his retirement in July 2013. Since then he's become a volunteer for the Red Cross, remains active in the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau, the Elks Lodge Fraternal Organization and is continually raising money for the Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum in Altenburg, Missouri. He also is just starting work for the Cape River Heritage Museum.

"It's amazing, one stays busier [being retired] than one really wants to -- but I enjoy it," Jedan said.

Jedan recently had his work recognized by the Federal Republic of Germany. On Nov. 19 he was knighted with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in Chicago. Consul General Herbert Quelle presented the award on behalf of Federal President Joachim Gauck.

Only one other person in the Consulate's 18-state territory received the honor, according to a university news release. Jedan was nominated by German-American Charities Organization The Tricentennial Foundation.

"When you do things like this, you do them because they are the right thing to do," Jedan said. "You don't think about getting an award."

Jedan and several family members were able to travel to Chicago for the award ceremony, and Jedan said that was very special to him. His family members live in different states, and he enjoyed having them all together to experience the ceremony.

Jedan has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for scholarships to support international education at Southeast. In May he and his wife donated their most recent scholarship of $10,000, which the university matched through its Honoring Tradition -- Inspiring Success Comprehensive Campaign.

"With the university doubling your investment, I would give another one," he said. "If one kid can be helped and receive an education, it's well worth it."

Jedan also has worked on reviving ties between Altenburg, Missouri, and Altenburg, Thuringia, in Germany as well as supporting the local Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum in Altenburg. He has raised about $20,000 and said he promised the Lutheran center he would raise up to $100,000.

Jedan credited his success to the support of the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau, the university and its staff, the volunteers of the Perry County Historical Society, the Tricentennial Foundation and his family.

smaue@semissourian.com

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